What do you think of this boat?

[yensid]

Hi, all! I've been gone away since I holed my last boat (I'm sure the story is somewhere in the archives, maybe one of the original stupid human tricks). Finally getting a new one. I want something that I can fish and the family can hang out and tube or ski with, so I was looking at this as a possibility:<br /> http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/9/4/79760094.htm <br />Not great, but I'm on a tight budget. I haven't gone out to see it yet, but thought I'd come to you all for advice first.<br /><br />So, my questions:<br />1) I seem to remember hearing about older Glastrons having a delaminating problem. Should I be concerned with this, or should I just judge the boat by its current condition?<br />2) Any advice as to thing to watch out for on this boat? Based on the pictures, it looks like one of the front seats is in rough shape. I'll check the deck, too, to make sure its not rotting around there (and the rest of the boat for that matter).<br />3) Any further advice on what to look for in a boat to suit my needs? It will be used for fishing more than anything else, but I have a family of 3 (soon to be 4) that will want to go hang out on the water some times, too, and maybe taking turns on it with friends at the beach (probably no more than 4 at a time on the boat). I find most "fishing" boats aren't great for that, if they just have a couple of pedestal seats. This boat is nice for a bass boat in that it has some bench seats, too. I'm also kind of thinking of an open bow or deck boat in the 16-18ft range. Sure, no pedestal seats and probably now trolling motor on the front, but more family friendly.<br /><br />Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom!

 

[JasonB]

Re: What do you think of this boat?

I am into old 'trons and haven't heard of any major delam problems. I have two 1976 models and the glas son both is very intact. Check teh Transom, stringers, and floor well as they are wood (but pretty much all were those days). Of my two '76's, one is as solid as the day it was made as it was stored in the dry over the years and taken care of. teh other had sat out and needed complete gutting.<br /><br />You may be able to get specifics on this boat at www.classicglastron.com. there's a growing group of us working on these classics. A 'tron Bass bot is on my short list of models I would like to have.<br /><br />The bass boats are the HPV- models.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: What do you think of this boat?

Swap motors with the boat next to it and youre in good shape!!

 

[mulv80]

Re: What do you think of this boat?

The trailer looks like it may be a little tired.

 

[yensid]

Re: What do you think of this boat?

Wow, fast replies!<br /><br />Thanks, JasonB, that's a good site. It's good to know there is a nice following of these - if I do get it, it means I have friends to help me with advice for keeping it maintained. I'll be sure to check those wood parts very thoroughly.<br /><br />Charlie - no kidding, though I'll be happy enough with that one, I think.<br /><br />mulv80 - I was noticing that as well. That could be a big downfall for that setup.

 

[glen f]

Re: What do you think of this boat?

Yensid, I just went through what youre going through. I opted for a big aluminum hull boat that I could get out on Superior and Millelacs more safely. I live by Detroit Lakes and a bass style boat here wouldnt work well for family stuff cause its gets windy. The chop kicks up often. Plus I found I wanted deeper sides to keep kids in the boat. If you plan on beaching it with fiberglass you might run into trouble too. Well Id look in boatrader online, St.Paul classifieds had a huge listing of boats, recreationalsalvage.com has some steals at times if your handy. Theres a nice 16ft Glastron openbow at this small dealer in moorehead (218)359-0046. Its an 85 I think, inboard, tan, clean in and out, mercruiser but it does have a few scratches on the bottom of the hull. They were asking $3400 and do trading. I was so close to grabbing it but I wanted an ob. Ive found a lot of resources around here so if you want me to keep an eye out up north I can. You can email me at vx74@aol.com. I can send you some pics of that glastron. Glen

 

[yensid]

Re: What do you think of this boat?

Thanks, Glen! The high sides are the one thing leaning me against a bass boat. My dog went over the side of my last one (had to do a hard brake when cut off by a PWC) so I get a little nervous. The chop isn't so much of an issue since I mostly stick to small lakes.<br /><br />Beaching my last fiberglass boat is what gave me problems - I pulled a patch right off the bottom and took a 6 ft. section of laminate with it. My previous boat was a fiberglass one that got holed as well. So, aluminum sounds that much better. <br /><br />I'm waiting for the $ for this to come (the check is in the mail!) so if there's nothing around here when I get it, I may take you up on the help!<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[cart7]

Re: What do you think of this boat?

I used a bass boat as a family boat for years, even when the kids were in diapers. The kids love to jump off the bow and swim around to the back to the ladder, get back in and then repeat the process. <br /><br />As for the low sides of a bass boat, my friends had a high sided runabout and their kids always wanted to run in my boat. They just loved being close to the water and getting splashed when we'd hit bigger wakes. <br /><br />As for the boat. It looks like it's pretty rough. The seats are torn up but could be redone. The gel looks rough but who cares. The trailer is the concern, it looks shot and that is one of the most important parts of the boat. I'd offer $1500 and then see what a new trailer would cost you. The Merc is a pretty sound engine.<br /><br />Take it from experience, beaching the boat, kids playing and then tracking in sand or mud is murder on a nice boat. you're better off when the kiddies are young to settle for a cheaper boat that you're not worrying about the gelcoat for scratches, sand in the carpet etc. You're on the water to have fun.

 

[yensid]

Re: What do you think of this boat?

Thanks for sharing your experience, cart7. I was nervous about a bass boat, but what you say makes sense. A lot easier to lift them out of the water, too That was the nice thing with my dog & my old bass boat, I could lift her in easily.<br /><br />I'll probably go check this out next week if it's still around, make sure there's no rot, cracks, etc. And see if that trailer is really as bad as it looks like it may be. Of course, I've had worse trailers

 

[cart7]

Re: What do you think of this boat?

Here's another tip. Check out the removable trolling motor mounts for that TM. It's nice to be able to pull the TM off when the boat is being used for family fun. You've got a clean front deck for the kiddies to jump off of. I'd add some no-slip deck strips to the front.<br /><br />Trust me, they're gonna want to use the front of that boat for a diving platform eventually.

 

[Cranky18]

Re: What do you think of this boat?

Originally posted by yensid:<br /> My dog went over the side of my last one

Is your dog O.K?

 

[yensid]

Re: What do you think of this boat?

cart7 - thanks for the tip. hadn't thought about that, but that would definitely be a good idea.<br /><br />Cranky18 - Yeah, I think she was better with the whole thing than I was. Freaked the heck out of me, but she was paddling away and seemed pretty unfazed after I pulled her back in. After that, I never let her on the boat without her life jacket, though. There was actually an article in a boating magazine about this incident.