88 Glastron decent deal?

[GeorgiaDieselGTO]

We are looking for a boat to play around with for the summer. not looking for anything very expensive. We found this Glastron on craigslist and wanted some opinions on it. I might also add that i am a mechanic by trade, but im not all that familiar with boats. Just dont want something that is rotted out. Opinions? advice? Would like to hear what you guys think Thanks
1988 Glastron Ski boat

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

EDIT: hanging head in shame for not noticing the 470.... WHOOPS.... yeah the only way to buy that boat would be at a price low enough to justify a motor swap to something else.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

It is very shiny . . .

The seller claims that the NADA value is $4500, but that would include the trailer as the boat itself is about $2500 according to NADA.

You will have to check it for rot as the photos do not show where the rot will be. Soft spots on floors, check down in the engine compartment and the transom, etc.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

I cannot believe my two esteemed colleagues above missed what motor is in this boat. GeorgiaDieselGTO, you may want to so some research on the Merc 470 motor before pulling the trigger.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

Also note the seller says its not getting spark... The ignition system on those 470's was a known mess.

Dont buy this unless you plan on spending money on it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

I cannot believe my two esteemed colleagues above missed what motor is in this boat. GeorgiaDieselGTO, you may want to so some research on the Merc 470 motor before pulling the trigger.

Ayuh,... Agreed,....

GeorgiaDieselGTO,..... Mechanic or Not,... Don't buy any boat with That motor....

That is Mercruiser's redheaded bastard step-child they've Forgotten....
The most common part number for the 470 is NLA....

 

[GeorgiaDieselGTO]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

Ok im getting the picture a bit. say i was to get it is the electrical system the main concern or is there others? The thing i am looking at is the interior is really nice on it and if it is original i wouldnt think the boat is rotted out.

another deal i found at a job i did is an 89 chris craft open 19' i believe with a 5.7 mercruiser owner says he replaced the outdrive a year or 2 ago. says it runs good obviously would want a water test on that one The thing is the interior while it isnt tore up, is weathered, and does have one soft spot in the floor. Wants 2500. The thing is im not really in the mood to do a full restore this spring. If i knew it was plenty solid yet i would probably want that one.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

Ok im getting the picture a bit. say i was to get it is the electrical system the main concern or is there others? The thing i am looking at is the interior is really nice on it and if it is original i wouldnt think the boat is rotted out.

another deal i found at a job i did is an 89 chris craft open 19' i believe with a 5.7 mercruiser owner says he replaced the outdrive a year or 2 ago. says it runs good obviously would want a water test on that one The thing is the interior while it isnt tore up, is weathered, and does have one soft spot in the floor. Wants 2500. The thing is im not really in the mood to do a full restore this spring. If i knew it was plenty solid yet i would probably want that one.

Ayuh,.... Head on down to the Mercruiser forum, 'n search that forum for "470"....

After a few days of readin',....
You'll know More than enough to stay Away from it....

 

[T.LOWE]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

I made the mistake of purchasing an old glastron with a 470. Charging issues since it has a stator rather than a altenator and the closed cooling system presents many problems after that many years. From my experiance, I would walk away. Mine has been sitting in the barn for a few years now.

 

[GeorgiaDieselGTO]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

Ok i will pass on it i guess what about the chris craft People seem to think they are good boats. What does it take to figure out how rotted out they are? Not sure if i would want to buy a boat that i would have to but a new transom and stringers in right away. But if its a good enough deal i would consider it

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

Boats very often rot from the bottom up so by the time there's a soft spot in the deck, the underlying structure is trashed. From my time on this site, I would say a good 8 out 10 people who are investigating a soft spot, end up in full rebuild mode. Doesn't matter if Chris Crafts were good boats to begin with. Brand means little to nothing when it comes to used boats. It's all about how it was maintained. I'd rather have a well maintained Bayliner than a Cobalt left out in the elements.

If you want to get on the water quickly with the least chance of financial ruin, I'd recommend an aluminum hull with an outboard.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

Boats very often rot from the bottom up so by the time there's a soft spot in the deck, the underlying structure is trashed. From my time on this site, I would say a good 8 out 10 people who are investigating a soft spot, end up in full rebuild mode. Doesn't matter if Chris Crafts were good boats to begin with. Brand means little to nothing when it comes to used boats. It's all about how it was maintained. I'd rather have a well maintained Bayliner than a Cobalt left out in the elements.

If you want to get on the water quickly with the least chance of financial ruin, I'd recommend an aluminum hull with an outboard.

While I have no experience with aluminum boats and outboards, the first paragraph of this response is dead-on the mark.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

While I have no experience with aluminum boats and outboards, the first paragraph of this response is dead-on the mark.

Well the rational behind the last sentence is that aluminum hulls have aluminum stringers and the decks and transoms aren't fiberglassed in so even if they are rotten they can be replaced in as little as a weekend for as cheap as the cost of plywood. I/O's that have been neglected can cost you up to $1k just to get all caught up on maintenance if you don't do the wrenching yourself.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

Well the rational behind the last sentence is that aluminum hulls have aluminum stringers and the decks and transoms aren't fiberglassed in so even if they are rotten they can be replaced in as little as a weekend for as cheap as the cost of plywood. I/O's that have been neglected can cost you up to $1k just to get all caught up on maintenance if you don't do the wrenching yourself.

Okay, I understand the aluminum rationale. But what about the outboard engine part of it? They are getting quite expensive to repair/maintain as well, wouldn't you say? Especially if neglected. And a Force outboard would be something to avoid, just like a 470/3.7 Mercruiser! hehehe

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

I cannot believe my two esteemed colleagues above missed what motor is in this boat. GeorgiaDieselGTO, you may want to so some research on the Merc 470 motor before pulling the trigger.

changed my reply........ dammit........

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

Okay, I understand the aluminum rationale. But what about the outboard engine part of it? They are getting quite expensive to repair/maintain as well, wouldn't you say? Especially if neglected. And a Force outboard would be something to avoid, just like a 470/3.7 Mercruiser! hehehe

My advice is for someone looking to get on the water cheaply, and by cheaply I mean a couple grand. This price range is not going to get you into the newer 4-stroke outboard category. My rationale (and my preference for outboards) is that if two otherwise identical old boats are sitting neglected in a field, there's a good chance the outboard can be gotten ready to go with little other than a carb rebuild but the I/O really needs to have a full drive service done on it, might have a cracked block, etc etc.

 

[buellwinkle]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

I prefer outbooards as they are easily replacable if something wrong or you want more power and they require very little maintenance, especially next to a i/o drive. For example, on my Glastron 18' with an outboard, there's no engine oil changes, you can have the boat in freezing temps and I have way more room in my 18' boat than most people have in 20' boats with i/o drive. Maintenance is pretty easy too.

 

[GeorgiaDieselGTO]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

Well keep talking guys im learning!! LOL I see what you guys are saying about the outboards, I wanted an inboard kinda but it there arent really any advantages may try to find something with an outboard. We are wanting something to wakeboard behind as well, so want something big enough for that. From what i have seen, it looks like the simplest type of inboard is a v drive, but not many were built in what im looking for that i have found. I dont mind something thats gonna take some work, but dont want a massive money pit. I would think i could do most work myself, as i am a mechanic with a shop with tools. I live in tennessee and knoxville, nashville, and chattanooga arent far from me, so if you find any good deals in that area. let me know We want something to be able to put at least 4 people on and be able to pull a wakeboard and tube with. Any other suggestions or comments are welcome

 

[redfury]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

Diligent research and digging will find you the boat you need in your price range. The worst thing you can do to yourself is buy a boat based off of how it makes you feel. Set your emotions for a good looking boat aside and make sure it's something you can afford to repair, something that isn't going to break down on you due to a poor design. Read the "funny TLC ads on Craigslist" thread for the types of boats you want to avoid.

 

[buellwinkle]

Re: 88 Glastron decent deal?

An inboard would be great, but the boat you are/were looking is a i/o drive, no. You can tell as most inboards of that vintage were straight drives where motor is mounted midship. When I was shopping for a boat, I wanted anything but an i/o drive, so full inboard or full outboard, nothing in between. Look for an older Nautique, Malibu, MasterCraft, Centurion, Tige if you want an inboard. They are ideal for wakeboarding.