Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

[jdlough]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

I cringe at answering this post. I mean, I guess somebody has to buy that 18' $24,000 boat new, so that we on iboats can buy it for $11K three years later. And for $6k three years after that.

I think you should look for recently used. Specifically, the guy who bought that 21' 2008 WhateverXS with LED lights, who's now hoping to get $14k. There's lots of them out there.

My boat was $29K new in 1998. I got it for $6K in 2008. It has less hours on it than my lawn tractor.

I have no idea what a florescent wakeboard is worth, or even what it is.

Just sayin......

I just re-read my post. I think it came off WAY harsher than I intended. If so, I apologize. No insult to anybody was intended.

What drove me a bit nutz were these quotes,

"We have until Thursday to decide whether we want to get this boat at this price"
That is a stunning amount of BS right there. So, you can't buy this boat Friday, or next week, or next month at this price?

"In addition, the dealer was very nice to talk with"
Well DUH!

 

[PBRman]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

I just re-read my post. I think it came off WAY harsher than I intended. If so, I apologize. No insult to anybody was intended.

What drove me a bit nutz were these quotes,

"We have until Thursday to decide whether we want to get this boat at this price"
That is a stunning amount of BS right there. So, you can't buy this boat Friday, or next week, or next month at this price?

Due to "boat show pricing" we're getting the upgrade to the 4.3 (from stock 3.0) and bimini for free. The bimini is a free offer from Glastron and the engine discount, in theory, is from them. I don't know if it's BS or not, but we have a deposit holding this price until tomorrow morning. Rather than care if it's BS, it's more important to know if I'll be able to get this deal again. All of your replies have firmly told me I should be able to.

"In addition, the dealer was very nice to talk with"
Well DUH!

Not all of them were, you'd be amazed.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

If you needed another week to decide versus getting your deposit back, I think the dealer would give you the extra time. Otherwise the sale is lost.

Lots of folks, including me, advocate buying used versus new, but hey somebody has to buy new. So, if it is the boat that you want and the money works out for you, then you should go for it. The only thing to consider, if you are financing some or a major portion of the purchase is the depreciation hit in the first few years.

New boat owners that finance their purchase are usually upside down on their loans for about 7 years or so, depending on their particular financing. So, it is a long term decision and not something that you can easily get out of in a few years.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

I bought a used boat and although I had a lot of fun I also had some big problems.
So, I also bought brand new last fall. I bought new for two reasons.
1. Its impossible to find the boat I want used where I live(Starcraft Islander 221).
2. I am only here for a short time, tomorrow is promised to nobody.

 

[ma glastron]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

We are also looking at new boats and glastron is near the top of the list. Other boats we are looking at are Star craft 2018, crown line and azure. The one boat we did not like at the boat show was the chapparel boat ( there nothing to grab on the swim platform for the ladder) I think the glastron will serve you well.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

That price sounds pretty good to me. Have you gone to the Glastron.com site and used their Build-Your-Boat configurator? The options you mention for that boat come out to $28k+ even after their current "own the moment" limited offer cash discounting.

That 190hp is not showing as available now, I am pretty sure it was earlier this year. That engine model may be a not as desirable item or being phased out, and may be some of the their reasoning behind your current offer. In my opinion a carbed 4.3 at 190hp is still pretty good power for towing and such with that boat.

Does it have the full side glass? and other options? Take a look at the boat builder and see what all you are getting at the price, I think it will show that the deal is pretty good.

About the wake and such, I think it will be right at what skiers want at skiing speeds, but wake-boarders want a big pile of water to jump and it may disappoint there, probably have to go too slow or add water bags, etc.

 

[PBRman]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

That price sounds pretty good to me. Have you gone to the Glastron.com site and used their Build-Your-Boat configurator? The options you mention for that boat come out to $28k+ even after their current "own the moment" limited offer cash discounting.

That 190hp is not showing as available now, I am pretty sure it was earlier this year. That engine model may be a not as desirable item or being phased out, and may be some of the their reasoning behind your current offer. In my opinion a carbed 4.3 at 190hp is still pretty good power for towing and such with that boat.

Does it have the full side glass? and other options? Take a look at the boat builder and see what all you are getting at the price, I think it will show that the deal is pretty good.

About the wake and such, I think it will be right at what skiers want at skiing speeds, but wake-boarders want a big pile of water to jump and it may disappoint there, probably have to go too slow or add water bags, etc.

Yes, it comes with the XL package including full side glass and stainless steel. The carbed engines are not allowed after this year due to EPA regulations - hence the phase out I would guess.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

I never really saw the question answered as to your skill level on a ski and on a wakeboard. If the intent is to use the boat for tournament ski practice probably not the best bet wake wise, however if you mostly free ski, wake for fun, the boat will perform as expected. It will however have the wake of an I/O there is no getting around that fact ever. if you want the smooth butter wake its only going to happen behind an inboard ski boat. I have slalomed for over 30 years used to compete(not so much any more) but still get out at least 2-3 times per week we have a 20 foot crownline 350 I/O is the wake exactly what I want no, but at 34MPH and trimmed up a bit the wake is pretty darn good for an I/O. My boys also slalom and wakeboard, and with some weight adjustment I can get a pretty decent size wake, again never like a dedicated wake boat but pretty good. I think your decision also lies in what you want the boat for, dedicated ski or wake boat you wont be happy, good useable all around boat= probably suit your needs fine.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

The one boat we did not like at the boat show was the chapparel boat ( there nothing to grab on the swim platform for the ladder)

I have been eyeing that H20 Series from Chaparral (drool, pant pant pant).

It is interesting that you mention the boarding ladder/platform grab point, I am putting a ladder on my platform this year (new to this boat) and am concerned about that. I have 2 handles I want to arrange in a good fashion. I took another look at the H20 18 and saw the pic where the gal is hanging onto the top step of the ladder, using it like a rail or grab handle. Not all ladders have that top step like that, and since Chaparral put that pic out there they must be thinking about it as the grab point. I think I would prefer a grab point on top but that rung certainly can act as one.

 

[PBRman]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

I never really saw the question answered as to your skill level on a ski and on a wakeboard. If the intent is to use the boat for tournament ski practice probably not the best bet wake wise, however if you mostly free ski, wake for fun, the boat will perform as expected. It will however have the wake of an I/O there is no getting around that fact ever. if you want the smooth butter wake its only going to happen behind an inboard ski boat. I have slalomed for over 30 years used to compete(not so much any more) but still get out at least 2-3 times per week we have a 20 foot crownline 350 I/O is the wake exactly what I want no, but at 34MPH and trimmed up a bit the wake is pretty darn good for an I/O. My boys also slalom and wakeboard, and with some weight adjustment I can get a pretty decent size wake, again never like a dedicated wake boat but pretty good. I think your decision also lies in what you want the boat for, dedicated ski or wake boat you wont be happy, good useable all around boat= probably suit your needs fine.

I am not a slalom pro by any means but I'd like to be. We just moved to central Massachusetts where there are at least two slalom courses within 40 minutes of home (The closest one to where we were was > 2hrs). My wife is in a similar boat.

Wakeboarding is something new that neither of us have done more than a few times but it looks fun and we'll get a wakeboard if we buy a new boat.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

Your second question in your was original post is related to slalom skiing. The goal with slalom skiing in the course is to accelerate through the wakes as fast as possible to get to the next buoy. Turn and repeat. Nearly any i/0 I've ever skied behind I've found to be pretty disappointing in the wake department. The wake is just bigger than is optimal. At slower speeds (28-30 mph) to higher speed (34 mph+), at long line or short I think you'll find the wake a bit intimidating.

Strictly from the skiing question:
? You're talking about an investment in a recreational i/O boat you'd like to have for a LONG time (one that you have never tried skiing behind)
? You say you'd like to progress in your slalom ability and try/become more proficient skiing the local slalom course.
Those ideas are inconsistent in my experience. You will QUICKLY become disappointed with your new boat.

If your plan is more general skiing use: decent hole shot, pulling 1 or 2 skiers, making some nice cuts with big spray and zipping around behind the boat, the G-tron is outstanding.

Not trying to be a snob. I LOVE all boating and ALL watersports.
Too bad you can't do a water test drive AND a ski test in February to check it out. Brrr.

 

[ma glastron]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

PBRMAN, Are you running you boat on Webster lake?

 

[PBRman]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

PBRMAN, Are you running you boat on Webster lake?

Hoping to!

 

[PBRman]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

Your second question in your was original post is related to slalom skiing. The goal with slalom skiing in the course is to accelerate through the wakes as fast as possible to get to the next buoy. Turn and repeat. Nearly any i/0 I've ever skied behind I've found to be pretty disappointing in the wake department. The wake is just bigger than is optimal. At slower speeds (28-30 mph) to higher speed (34 mph+), at long line or short I think you'll find the wake a bit intimidating.

Strictly from the skiing question:
• You're talking about an investment in a recreational i/O boat you'd like to have for a LONG time (one that you have never tried skiing behind)
• You say you'd like to progress in your slalom ability and try/become more proficient skiing the local slalom course.
Those ideas are inconsistent in my experience. You will QUICKLY become disappointed with your new boat.

If your plan is more general skiing use: decent hole shot, pulling 1 or 2 skiers, making some nice cuts with big spray and zipping around behind the boat, the G-tron is outstanding.

Not trying to be a snob. I LOVE all boating and ALL watersports.
Too bad you can't do a water test drive AND a ski test in February to check it out. Brrr.

I've skied behind three io's mine, the glassstream, a searay 4.3L, and something else, I don't remember what. All three have had big wakes, hence the worry. The Searay I could barely get over it. After that was the only time I've been on a wakeboard.

I think we're going to take LippCJ7's advice and hold off since more extensive searching has revealed some nice 4-5 year old inboards for sale in New England within our cost range.

ps. None of our lakes are frozen at all right now - I think I would get in the water to test drive a boat! It would be the rewinterizing part I want to avoid.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

I'm jealous. As soon as the ice is out, we ski.

 

[Peanut61870]

Re: Should we buy it? Glastron MX185

We just bought a 2012 Glastron MX185, we got the 4.3 MPI EC MercCruiser (220hp) with the XL package for $29,000 out the door! After all the research I did it came back as one of the best boats for the price, and that was confirmed for me last weekend at the Denver Boat show. I could not find anthing close to that price (Bayline, SeaRay, Cobalt, 4 Winns, Tahoe and Chaparal). Cheaper boats were out there but most of those had a 135hp or 190hp carb engines which out here in Colorado means loss of hp. I really like the SSV Hull and according to the BoatTest it has one of the fastest plains (3.9 seconds) not to mention the fact they are made in Cadillac, Michigan. Ours holds 8 people or 1100 lbs so that will be plenty big enough for the family. With all that said I have not put it in the water yet so I hope all my research is correct and the boat will be awesome on the water.