Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

[jayrat86]

Hey guys, brand new member here and extremely new to boating. Me and the wife have decided its time to get our first boat. We're looking for a 17-19ft bowrider in the 5-8k range. We may do a little skiing and tubing but nothing major. I found a couple Glastrons that peaked my interest and will be looking at them in the next day or two.

The first is a 2003 Glastron SX 175 bowrider with a 3.0 135hp volvo penta engine and a EZLoader trailer. I havent seen it yet so unfortunately that is all I know so far. They're asking $7,900. Is that about right?
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/boa/1831275788.html

The second is a 1997 Glastron SE 175 4.3L 190hp volvo engine. Includes trailer, skis, tube, rope, vests. Again havent seen it and being a noob I really dont know anything. This one is asking $7500.
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/boa/1851793264.html

Are these in the right price range? Seems obvious to start with the '03 and work the price down if i can. Only $400 for a 6 yr newer boat seems obvious especially since I read that the 00+ boats have a one piece fiberglass construction. Any insight at all woudl be greatly appreciated. Just trying to get informed as possible before seeing them.

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

Narrow it down to one that you like. Then get a independent survey done. Pricewise check out NADA for your area.

 

[sewerrat]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

Also, be extra-sure that a 17 ft meets your needs. I'm in Milwaukee as well and when I was in the market for a boat I found a real nice 17 footer, but after looking, it was just too small to haul my family of 4, plus a couple of friends for the kids, and all our gear, so I ended up with a 19 foot Four Winns and couldn't be happier.

If 17ft meets your needs, those are both real nice boats with nice power plants.

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

I just bought boat #1 in May. I like it a lot. I will say this...I usually only have 2-4 people on the boat, anymore and it gets crowded. I've had 8 people on it but it's just very crowded and you lose a lot of power with the 3.0l. I wanted the 4.3l but for what I do, a little tubing, mostly cruising the 3.0 is just fine and it still gets on plane very quickly.

One thing that I noticed after buying my boat was these little dimples in the gelcoat. It doesn't bother me but I think the gelcoat could be a little better and the graphics are coming off my boat. This is normal wear and tear and the reason I bought used though.

The boat/bilge get dirty easily but if you put a nice wax job and vinyl protectant on the seats it is very easy to just wipe it down quickly and it looks clean again!

The storage seems to be enough for me but if you have a lot of people and big coolers it could get cramped.

The VEC hull construction is technically 2 pieces of fiberglass, the hull and than the top of the boat glued to the hull but the nice thing is NO WOOD to speak of on the boat.

The open-bow was roomier than all the other boats I looked at which I liked. Bayliners open bow on the 17' is VERY TINY!

Any other questions about this particular boat just ask. I bought mine for $6500 which I considered a steal of a deal so I couldn't pass it up. Most were going for around 10k in my area. This to me is a really nice first boat and it's economical too! I'm 29 and my girlfriend did not really see the point in me wanting a boat. Now that I've bought it I've got a lot of use out of it...all my nieces and nephews LOVE IT, the neighbor kids love it, I love it and my girlfriend finally admitted it was a "good investment" which makes me happy. It wasn't an investment to me but just another way to enjoy life before I leave this planet. There's nothing better than falling asleep on the boat with the waves rockin the boat...it makes me feel like I am a retired man, even though I have a long way to go. The sick days are running out really fast!

 

[jayrat86]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

Im almost certain 17ft is sufficent. I just looked at a 17 bayliner yesterday and it seemed to be more than enough. Im 25 and its just me, my wife, and our 65lb yellow lab. It will usually just be the three of us and if anything maybe the two of us and a couple friends. Doubt we would ever have more than 6 people in there and if we had 6 I dont see us donig any water sports...more so just lounging.

Thanks for the info. Great to get some first hand experience. I was hoping to get the 2003 for closer to $6500 but we'll see how it goes when I see it. Its only been listed for a couple weeks so I dont know what kind of interest they've had. Kory, granted you got a deal at $6500 but what would you value it at? Basically, if you had paid $7-7.5k for yours would you have been just as happy or would you have regretted it?

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

Im almost certain 17ft is sufficent. I just looked at a 17 bayliner yesterday and it seemed to be more than enough. Im 25 and its just me, my wife, and our 65lb yellow lab. It will usually just be the three of us and if anything maybe the two of us and a couple friends. Doubt we would ever have more than 6 people in there and if we had 6 I dont see us donig any water sports...more so just lounging.

Thanks for the info. Great to get some first hand experience. I was hoping to get the 2003 for closer to $6500 but we'll see how it goes when I see it. Its only been listed for a couple weeks so I dont know what kind of interest they've had. Kory, granted you got a deal at $6500 but what would you value it at? Basically, if you had paid $7-7.5k for yours would you have been just as happy or would you have regretted it?

I was in the same position you were in, I narrowed down to open-bow boat and I was going to buy a 1997 4.3 glastron from a co-worker for $6400. I looked at the boat and was pretty interested. When I saw the price drop 2x on the 2003 I drove an hour and a half. At this point I had looked at a lot of boats and nothing was in as good of shape as this...but this was the newest boat I had looked at. There were maybe 3-4 somewhat noticeable scratches in the gelcoat but the centerline on the hull was perfect w/o any chips so I could tell this guy took good care of it. The engine compartmant was dirty but it didnt smell like wet engine like the older boats did so I could tell it hadn't been used that much. The interior is in really good shape but there is a few red stains on the white vinyl and a burn mark and tear in one of the rear bench seats. The snap-in carpet had a couple snaps missing (I prefer leaving the carpet out), the skeg had a little chip out of it that I didnt notice at first and he had 2 brand new aluminum props with it. The guy said he put aprox. 100hrs on the engine.

I thought it was worth what I paid. It's not in mint condition but better than anything I had looked at. I noticed this guy didnt have any kids and I think boats take pretty good abuse when you are constantly towing wakeboarders and tubers and beaching it for kids to swim etc.

It sounds like your situation is very similar to mine and I think you will be really happy with this boat. I tend to get jealous about the 21' boats but when I stop and think, this is the perfect size boat for my needs and it fits in my garage! I can come home from work, hook up and be on the lake within 30minutes.

I had to reground the depth finder, put a sound system in it, extra battery and battery isolator, and replace a trailer tire.

I will tell you this, being a new boater you will hit the dock, hit rocks, screw up a prop or two, forget to trim the outdrive when your retrieving...I did all this and I wasn't completely disgusted since it had already been done before. I scratched the windshield with a tree branch which I'm pissed about but it's on the passanger side so I don't notice it.

 

[jayrat86]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

Crazy how similar the situation is. I am kinda sold on the idea of a 2003 compared to a 1997 simply because of teh years, but the 97 has the bigger motor which my brother in law is telling me will be somethign I will regret not getting (I trust him). On the other hand the 97 is only slightly cheaper than the 03 (for now). Either way I will look at both boats but I appreciate the insight again. Good to know that you enjoy the boat. Have you tried skiing on it at all? How does the 3.0 handle it?

 

[pokman]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

I can shed a little experience to, bought our first boat this spring a 17ft Rinker bow rider with a outboard. We have a family of four, two being little ones. Six people is about max with our boat. With us four the size is perfect, plus we trailer alot so a smaller lighter boat works well for us. I will say down the road a few years our next boat will be a 19 footer. Like I said I have a outboard but have 3 friends with 18 ft larson, 19ft Mariah and 19ft Rinker and they all have the 4.3 and that motor rocks. They all run around 50mph and get out of the hole quick. I am in wisconsin also and those are good prices in my opinion. Good luck either way.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

I would go with the '97 because of the 4.3L, but the prices sounds, um, optimistic on the seller's part. See how much you can get him to lower the price.

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

It all depends on what you can negotiate, and you can easily take your money elsewhere. I think that both boats should be negotiated down at least 500.00.

 

[jayrat86]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

I went and looked at the 2003 last night and gotta say I fell in love. Its in perfect shape. He's including a whole bunch of accessories as well. He did say the price was negotiable but I'm not even going to throw out a number until I get it in the water. Hopeing to take it out friday night.

What are your guy's thoughts on the volvo engine? I talked to my father in law and he said he had a boat in the 1970's with a volvo and it was such a pos that he would never buy one again. Granted that was 30 years ago and he said that was solely his opinon. Any thoughts on the volvo 3.0?

 

[45Auto]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

Nothing wrong with the Volvo. It's at least the equal of the Mercruiser's, and many people prefer the Volvo's. If you're not going to be doing the maintenence yourself you may want to make sure there's a local shop that will service it. Mercruisers are more common, it's usually easier to find a Mercruiser dealer.

Hopefully this won't be the first boat you've test-driven. No reason not to try out a bunch of boats before you buy one. Your brother-in-law is trying to give you some good advice, at least try out several different engine combo's before you make up your mind.

 

[jayrat86]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

I know. I'm forcing myself to go try other boats. Im calling on a boat today that has an outboard motor to see how I like that. I like the look of an inboard better but want to make sure I experience both. Correct me if I am wrong but from what I've read I should avoid a Force 120 motor...right? I like the fact that the outboard is tucked away and out of sight. Some say it takes up room but the one I looked at had a rear bench and a sun deck on the back that covered the motor so thats more than sufficient for me.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

I have been told by most to stay away from Force of any kind.

I prefer outboards because it's easier (I think) to do my own work. Inboards tend to be quieter and smoother because of weight and engine configuration.

Outboards lighter...maybe a little quicker?

One thing I really loved about my inboards though was they have the best (again...imo) swim platforms.

Have fun!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

Correct me if I am wrong but from what I've read I should avoid a Force 120 motor...right?

Right. Force parts/service is dwindling. Any other outboard is fine.

 

[msojjo]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

I heard the same things about force motors, but on the other hand i had one for over 10 years, and have never done a thing to the motor, but winterize and change the plugs. Had the force 120 on the back end of a 17 foot bayliner. The boat had enough room for 2 to 4 adults and a cooler, and still be comfortable. With an outboard you can pretty much do anything you want(be full of people and still ski and tube). I purchased my first I/O this spring, and boy what alot of work. I miss my outboard.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

I purchased my first I/O this spring, and boy what alot of work. I miss my outboard.

That's how I felt, too. But to each his own.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

That's how I felt, too. But to each his own.

I do and I don't...for the quick fishing trips in the late fall the outboard was awesome...but being able to fish off the swim platform with my feet in the water makes owning an I/O worth every ounce of extra work! Almost like fishing off the dock, cept you can go wherever you want on the water, very relaxing.


I dunno, mostly it's me and the wife on the boat, and occassionally 2 or more friends out to see the fireworks or something. 17' will seem real small real quick. I intentionally looked for the biggest boat that I could fit into my garage. Also the extra size and weight is nice when the weather kicks up a bit. However get what your budget can afford...a 17' glastron is still a nice purchase. The 17' with the 4.3 should be very quick, my 4.3 can easily handle a skier or tuber and my boat is 20'. The 3L is probably fine on a 17' boat though, certainly if you aren't planning on a lot of skiing or anything silly like that. There were few build quality issues with mine, but nothing structural or mechanical (stuff like loose screws and such after the first year of use). So all in all I am very happy with my boat.

Ian

 

[akazanar]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

I was in your shoes about a year ago. Similar budget and idea for the kind of boat I wanted to start with. I ended up with a 98 Sea Ray 185 (18.5 foot) with the 4.3 I/O. A year later I am wishing I had found a way to grow my budget and bought a bigger boat with a bigger engine. We rarely go out with more than 4 people on the boat and do a lot of tubing and cruising. I certainly wouldn't have been happy with a smaller boat and/or smaller engine. I am sacking money away and have a plan to upgrade to 21 to 23 foot boat with more horsepower next spring. So get as big/strong as you can and if that is a 17 footer with a 3.0 just be prepared to be wanting a bigger/faster boat pretty soon!

 

[Schultzz]

Re: Possible Glastron Purchase...thoughts?

Have had a 96 Glastron for about 5 years. It's a 40th Anniversary 21.5 with a 5.7 V8. Great out of the hole. Handles very well. Still has power with 6-7 people. Bowrider seats 5, it's an early fuel injection model goes about 55 mph WOT. It is good on gas and I never regretted the size or the power. I ws surprised at what a great boat Glastron is. Go bigger and with more power. You won't regret it.