ASTROGLASS BASS BOAT

[JHipp]

I am trying to find out information on an old boat I have and Google searches and local boat shops seem to have nothing so I am trying the forums. It is a 1979 Astroglass Bass. I know they are no longer made but was wondering in context of this time period how this boat ranked. I always thought of Ranger boats as about the top level at least in 1979 but never heard of Astroglass. She is 16 foot and rated for 120hp motor. I think she is an Astroglass Bass 156. Understand I am just the kind of guy who likes to know all I can about stuff I own. Was it near the top or just an entry level boat? About what did it cost new? As she sits she is perfect for what I need at this time even without a motor. The live wells and bilge pumps work. I was told as it sits now it is worth about $1200. Any ideas out there?

 

[gm280]

::welcome: JHipp to iboats. Great to have you aboard...

Astroglass was a pretty familiar name around middle Georgia in its days. I do remember them and if I remember, they were mid-road quality hulls. I can't remember now if they were chopper gun hulls or fabric hulls. I think there were the chopper gun type. A chopper gun hull was the type a lot of boat makers were doing around that time. How there were built was the mold was sprayed the usual way with gel coat colors and then after all that was applied a special spray gun would spray polyester resin while another gun shot fiberglass out of a gun that chopped up the fiberglass and applied it on the wet poly. Then they would roll it down and move on. It was a cheaper way to build boats quickly verses laying woven fiberglass. And of course a lot cheaper as well. But they seems to look and perform well. I like the lines of that hull. I think you will enjoy it. Make certain to check for wood rot in the transom, floor and stringers. I mean it is an older boat and that seems to be the usual things that rot... Trailer look nice as well. What are your plans?

 

[JHipp]

Thanks for the welcome gm280 and the information. That is the most have learned about this boat. Any idea what they would have sold for new in 79?

From your other posts it would appear we are neighbors. I am in SC.

plans- The trailer had light rust so a little sandpaper and some rattle can paint and she looked pretty good. From what I can tell the only problem I can find is one soft spot on the floor by the driver seat about 1 foot square. Otherwise pretty solid. Electrical and all lights work. My budget is tight to non-existent. At best one day maybe I might can run across a 25-50hp engine for her. The guy before me ran a 65hp til his kid burned it up and he sold me what you see here. I feel blessed to have this one as just last January I was hoping for a Jon boat to slide in the truck bed. I am truly a long way from that point for very, very little $ invested.

We actually fish her as is. We fish a 200 acre state park fishing lake near our home that only allows 10hp and under motors so she is really more boat than I need there but it is very stable and the 1995 Johnson trolling motor about 26lb thrust does the job all day long. The original carpet is long gone but the floor has been sprayed with Rino liner so it is pretty good. I like resto-mod cars so likely I will do the same here. I have a friend in the body shop business who can cut vinyl decals so likely I will restore the original Astroglass decals on the trailer and rear sides of the boat. Maybe a Christmas wish list may net me some new seats or bigger trolling motor but i'm pretty happy right now.

 

[bonz_d]

I'd say that if you are just going to be using it on that small lake with either just a trolling motor or even a small 9.9hp outboard then just go fish and enjoy it!

 

[gm280]

Thanks for the welcome gm280 and the information. That is the most have learned about this boat. Any idea what they would have sold for new in 79?

From your other posts it would appear we are neighbors. I am in SC.

plans- The trailer had light rust so a little sandpaper and some rattle can paint and she looked pretty good. From what I can tell the only problem I can find is one soft spot on the floor by the driver seat about 1 foot square. Otherwise pretty solid. Electrical and all lights work. My budget is tight to non-existent. At best one day maybe I might can run across a 25-50hp engine for her. The guy before me ran a 65hp til his kid burned it up and he sold me what you see here. I feel blessed to have this one as just last January I was hoping for a Jon boat to slide in the truck bed. I am truly a long way from that point for very, very little $ invested.

We actually fish her as is. We fish a 200 acre state park fishing lake near our home that only allows 10hp and under motors so she is really more boat than I need there but it is very stable and the 1995 Johnson trolling motor about 26lb thrust does the job all day long. The original carpet is long gone but the floor has been sprayed with Rino liner so it is pretty good. I like resto-mod cars so likely I will do the same here. I have a friend in the body shop business who can cut vinyl decals so likely I will restore the original Astroglass decals on the trailer and rear sides of the boat. Maybe a Christmas wish list may net me some new seats or bigger trolling motor but i'm pretty happy right now.

Yes, until you get to where you want to install a really serious OB engine, just have fun now. BUT, when that time comes, the boat will have to over go a transformation to scoot across the water like it was originally designed. That means transom, floor, and stringers probably will have to be replaced. But for now happy boating... I would also suggest, for some interesting and informative reading, read a lot of the boat rebuilds on here and see and understand how that is accomplished. Then you will have a better understanding how rebuilding your boat when the time comes...

 

[JHipp]

Thanks for the info guys. Most likely she and I will live out our days quietly puttering around these smaller lakes near our home. As long as we catch a few keepers each time out I can live with that. I've lived 47 years with no boat fishing off the banks and docks so this is heaven for me now!