GLS 235 - Looking for Opinions / Comments

[jfspadar]

I am considering buying a new 2009 GLS 235 at a significantly discounted price. Does anyone have any experience w/ this boat? Any comments? I'm skeptical that this boat is still available on this dealer's showroom floor.

This boat has the Volvo 5.7 GIC DP engine rated at 300hp. Does this seem under powered for a 4050lb boat (dry weight)?

Thanks

 

[qmrichardson]

Re: GLS 235 - Looking for Opinions / Comments

Well I don't have experience with that particular boat but I have a 5.0 VP and can tell you that I am a big fan of this engine. it has a whole lotta power. VP makes a great marine engine, so I 'm sure that 5.7 liter is massively powerful...

 

[brick75]

Re: GLS 235 - Looking for Opinions / Comments

You would have plenty of power with that setup. And I wouldn't worry too much about the 2009 still being at the dealer. With the downturn in the economy, a lot of dealers are finding themselves with 1-3 year old "new" boats to closeout. Definitely a barganing point for buyers.

 

[heathk2003]

Re: GLS 235 - Looking for Opinions / Comments

Well i don't have the gls 235 but i have its little brother the gls 195 and can tell you it is a very good boat for the money. May not be a Colbalt but the price reflects that. The only things i don't like is the "woodlike" trim piece at the bottom of the driver and passenger dash. They should have been through screwed or bolted instead of the epoxy holding the screw to the trim piece. ( Its an easy fix though ). The other is on the seats they have the little filler piece where the opening for the back would be and i have had to tighten them back up and they are only held on with 2 screws. I see for the 2011 models they have eliminated them altogether. If i would have to go back and do it again, i would have gotten the same boat ... so no regrets. Here is a test on that exact boat ( engine , drive and all ) from boattest.com. Here is the link

http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?ID=1872#Test-Result

I don't know much about the duel prop setup but on mine changing from aluminum prop to stainless made a huge difference in performance.

 

[brick75]

Re: GLS 235 - Looking for Opinions / Comments

Oh and one other comment, on the U-shaped rear seating (I assume the 235 has it). After getting that on my current boat, I don't think I can ever go back to anything else. It maximizes seating and open space very well. I really don't understand why this setup isn't used more by boat manufacturers.

 

[nedrger]

Re: GLS 235 - Looking for Opinions / Comments

I own a GLS255 with the same engine and trust me its more than enough power, Mine will run 55mph with 4 people aboard with no problem and I'm on plane in a heartbeat. We love the GLS, it's a great boat with a lot of good features. I don't think you will anything but happy.

Randy

 

[jfspadar]

Re: GLS 235 - Looking for Opinions / Comments

Thanks very much for yoru reply!