1978 Glastron Futra vs 1978 Bayliner

[verona]

hello new friends,

i'm about to purchase my first boat! thought i'd reach out to the experts before making any rash decisions.

options are the following:

-1978 Glastron Futra
"85 HP motor With added power trim, nice fish finder, tow rope, women's wakeboard, 2 wetsuits, anchor, cover, and I believe we have the original canvas shade top, fiberglass repair kit (small ding way above the water line)
-1978 Bayliner
"140 Johnson outboard. Comes with 3 lifejackets and a ski rope. Runs great test drive available."

both are cosmetically sound with obvious wear. just need something for 4 people and a dog to fish and cruise in.

please help! thanks.

 

[southkogs]

Condition is key in used boats. One of those is probably in better shape than the other. And really, there's not enough information to give you any real help. Maybe share the links to the ads?

What type of outboard is on the Glastron matters. But assuming the boats are the same size, the power on the Bayliner would be better for 4 adults on board.

Definately do some reading HERE.

Welcome aboard.

 

[Wavewarrior]

Glastron is a much better built boat than a Bayliner...

 

[jebby]

these are 40+ year old boats. at that point it all comes down to condition. which one has less rott? stringers and transom rot is the death of these. find out which is further from that death...… if truly equal more power is always nice. Pay no attention to add ons like ski equipment. these small expenses will be the least of your worries

 

[Scott Danforth]

for a first boat, i suggest aluminum. the only structural wood to rot is the transom wood, and that can be replaced in a weekend.

These are 43+ year old boats

fiberglass boats are designed to live 15 years and then be replaced.

look for evidence of a "deck over" where the rotten deck is covered with a new piece of plywood to cover up the rotten mess and then its sold to some unsuspecting person.

 

[JasonB]

Condition is everything, but all equal, I'd trust the Glastron more. I've completely restored a '76 'tron from the stringers up and owned another '76 as well. They were well constructed for the era, but are still subject to wood rot if they were left in the weather. The 1st I had ended up being a basket case that had been left out its entire life. Previous owner replaced the floor, but left rotted stringers and transom. The other I had was cared for and was still very solid.