Help with identifying a Glastron

[Entangled]

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum and to boating, but this looked like the place to start. I just purchased a 17' Glastron by Carlson with a 115hp Evinrude. I can't find the ID plate, and haven't found a match on the net either.
I purchased it to make a quick profit, but the more I look at it the more I want to keep it. I've only owned the boat for 12 hours, so much will depend on engine compression etc.

Here are some photos of the boat. If anyone knows the year or model, or any other info, I'd appreciate the help.

 

[Entangled]

Re: Help with identifying a Glastron

Still can't figure out the model of this boat. The label, which is pictured above, is weathered so much that the part which I assume said 'Glastron' is gone. Engraved underneath it in the chrome is written ,Austin TX , Conroy, and Carlson.

 

[redfury]

Re: Help with identifying a Glastron

usually glastron imbedded the serial numbers on the back of the boat by the rub rail. Otherwise you may have some luck looking at the www.classicglastron.com site.

 

[Entangled]

Re: Help with identifying a Glastron

I've been over that area at least five times now and can't find anything. It's strange because the boat appears to be factory original. It's still sitting on its' original trailer as well.

That site is excellent, but I can't find a 'for sure' match. The guy I bought it from was just getting it out of the yard and thought it was from the mid 80's. The Glastron in the James Bond movie is as close as I can get so far. Same color scheme as well. That would put it late 70's early 80's.

Today I removed what was left of the interior, down to the raw shell. Transom looks perfect and everything that matters appears to be solid. Practically the whole top side needs to be re-gel coated though.

Thanks for the help. If you or anyone else feels like sharing some knowledge I'll be a glad recipient.

Basically, I stayed home from work with the flu and ended up buying a boat off Craig's List. I've already been offered more for just the trailer than I paid for the whole package. The boat is just too cool to end up at a landfill, so I'm leaning towards keeping it.

 

[redfury]

Re: Help with identifying a Glastron

The thing that has got me wondering is that empty name plate. I can't ID it as a Glastron nameplate from any of the glastron nameplates they've used. Are you positive this is even a glastron? I've heard a lot of people call their boats Glastrons when they weren't because of name recognition for 'glass boats. Not all copy machines are Xerox, but people will still call them the xerox machine. You may want to put this post in a non specific manufacturer thread and see if anyone recognizes the plate.

 

[Entangled]

Re: Help with identifying a Glastron

Yea, I finally figured it out!...I think...

http://www.carlsonspeed.com/index.php?option=com_jd-wiki&Itemid=31&id=carlson:brochure-1973-cv16

It's a 1973 CV-16.

Sorry, can't figure out how to use board code.

The top boat in the ad is identical. But, like you said, the label is different. The label on the boat in the add looks like it should fit inside the one on my boat.

My boat has three stringers as well. Someone else's 73 only had one. I don't know that it means much on a 30 year old boat though.

Everyone wants to buy the engine and/or the trailer but not the boat. I think the boat is the coolest thing I've bought in years!

I found a man to who owns an auto-body shop and builds race boats. He says he can gel coat from the rub rail up for $300. The only thing I know about gel coat is, that I probably wouldn't be happy if I did it myself. $300 sounds like a great deal. I'm just not sure what I should expect.

 

[redfury]

Re: Help with identifying a Glastron

Well, Gel coat may not be what he intends, as Gel coat is designed to be applied to a mold as it is extremely difficult to smooth out as it is relatively thick.

He probably meant he could paint the topside and probably wouldn't touch the bottom side, or would be really expensive. $300 isn't bad though, but find out exactly what he'd be using for paint. Interlux Brightsides paint is not cheap at all, at least half the cost of his quote for a gallon. Good boat paint is not cheap. Bottom side is more expensive, but that is if you plan to let the boat sit in the water at a dock all summer, or use it in saltwater. Otherwise you can use topside paint on the bottom just fine. The Ablative paint used for bottomside has copper in it to prevent slime growth and it wears off slightly as the boat slips through the water. It has its uses, but only if you don't take the boat out of the water and clean it often.

As far as everyone else, sure, they all want the motor and the trailer because they already have boats that they like too, but don't have those 2 items ( the 2 most needed items by any boater ). I like my Glastron more than any other boat in its size and class because of my intended use for it. Can't say that I'd pass up on a CVX if I could manage to have a fun boat too though, they are ( yours ) slick looking rides...very cool.

 

[redfury]

Re: Help with identifying a Glastron

Just looked at the actual link and pulled up the old add and magnified it..definitely found your boat. My wife likes the sparklies ( she wanted me to let you know that )

Note: What the heck is that white ballish looking thing behind the boat?

Edit: Nevermind..lol, it's the hole punch for a three ring binder! I didn't notice it until I zoomed out to see the whole page!

 

[Entangled]

Re: Help with identifying a Glastron

LMAO! The hole punch took me a minute to figure out as well.

I was wondering about gel coat. I can't find any reference to spraying a large area, unless you're spraying a mold. That's why I called someone else. He has definitely lead me to believe that he was going to spray gel coat. Thanks for the heads-up.

Thanks for the compliments on the boat. I think rebuilding these little boats might turn into a new hobby. They're so small, you can get a lot accomplished in a short amount of time.

What you're doing with your boat is freaking awesome. Just think how easy the NEXT boat you restore will be!

 

[redfury]

Re: Help with identifying a Glastron

Yeah, if I ever get it finished! :lol: It's crazy how much I have to do still. I can't afford to just dump money into this at my whim, so I have to plan a lot into it. If I manage to pull this off though, I think I'll have gotten to the point where I'm willing to tackle just about anything.

I think the hardest part of any repair a person has never done before is intimidation. The size of this project would intimidate most people I know, but I got the heads up on "just do it" mentality when I was a mechanic in the Army. It taught me that unfamiliarity isn't a reason not to do something, it's a reason TO DO something.

 

[Entangled]

Re: Help with identifying a Glastron

I'm at the point now where I have to start spending money. But it shouldn't be that bad. The entire interior should be right at $500 when I'm done; floor, seats, and carpet. I had alot of the stuff already though. It's mainly just grunt work; rust and cracked gel-coat.

I'm taking my time with the engine. It's a 78 Evinrude 115 that looks perfect. The guy I bought it from said "it ran strong" in September. This is my first outboard engine,,,,and it's freakin COOL! 1635cc 2stroke V4. This thing should scream. My neighbors should love it.

I bought a manual for it off ebay. Once it gets here, I'll pull the carbs and put a new water pump in it before I even charge the battery. This thing is so clean it's scary. I got my fingers crossed...

 

[redfury]

Re: Help with identifying a Glastron

Definitely pull a compression check on it before you get to involved in thinking about running it around the lake. You'll want to see compression above 100psi and no more than 10psi difference between the highest and lowest cylinders optimally. Rebuilding the carbs is definitely the best thing to start with IMHO.

Good luck though, my friends 100hp 1970 Johnny-rude pushes his boat to 35mph.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_AFd-Iog3s

this has a low cylinder ( 90 psi ) and a high one (120psi ).

 

[Entangled]

Re: Help with identifying a Glastron

Cool video. Now that I'm snowed in, all I've been doing is watching You-tube Glastron videos.

This video serves as my inspiration. It'll be the most watched video on the net before I'm done with my boat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSyzT3I-E5c

This is exactly what my boat will look like if everything goes as planned with the gel-coat.

 

[redfury]

Re: Help with identifying a Glastron

that thing is just nasty! I doubt I'd have that much luck raising the front of my boat even with a max rated 125hp...I'd probably have to over power it....

Did you look at the video of the 650hp modified glastron?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4ebfAtfuF8&feature=related

 

[Entangled]

Re: Help with identifying a Glastron

Oh yea,, that video has inspired a few mid-day fantasies. Couldn't afford the gas though....

I'm going to use this boat to figure out how to paint and gel-coat. I can't wait to find that GT-150 that someone wants hauled off.