First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

[skuzmak]

Hi All,

Another newbie looking for some tips...I'm looking to buy my first boat. We're going to use it mainly for taking friends out cruising, maybe some fishing, some tubing, and even some wakeboarding. We really like a larger rear deck area and a nice wide beam. We looked at the 18.5-19 ft boats, but decided on something a little bigger (20 ft, a foot really seems to make the difference here).

I've been doing a bit or research and have been looking at local dealers as well as the usual online spots. Based on my price-range and size, I've narrowed it down to a few boats:

2011 Tahoe Q7SF w/ Merc 5.0 220 - $33k (new ... from bass pro :| )
2011 Glastron GT205 w/ Merc 5.0 260 HP - $31k (new, local dealer)
2007 Glastron GT205 w/ Volvo 5.0 GXI 270 HP - $24k (used, with only 19 hours according to dealer..seems odd)

We really like the layout of the Tahoe with the built in extended deck, plus the trolling motor and fishing seats is a nice bonus. I've heard mixed things about the Tahoe, people love them (no problems) or hate them (numerous problems) - it seems that quality/reliability may be an issue....but it looks so nice . I've search alot for comparisons of Glastron's to Tahoe's, no luck.

Haven't seen the Glastron yet (going to look at it tomorrow), but it seems like a pretty decent boat. It seems as though the Glastron may be better build (nice hull construction), but it doesn't have quite the same "wow!" factor. The used one seems to be a decent deal, but I do have to admit I'm suffering from new boat fever, trying to justify the bit depreciation hit ("but new ones come with warranties....better service on a new boat....it's so shiny!!").

Any input would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Steve

 

[greenbush future]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

Do a search on your desired boats in this forum, get an education on what you are getting ready to buy. All of the boats you defined will have detailed information about them here. I think the dealer is just as important as the product you buy, and all dealers are not equal. I know of several dealers I would never allow to service anything.
Have fun.

 

[jkust]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

Right off the bat the Tahoe is out because it does not have MPI. Tahoes like Bayliners get a bad wrap. Tahoe is generally perceived as ultra entry level but they do give you a lot for the money and remember everyone uses the same engines. Generally people will defend what they purchased to the death as I have seen many times on here. I don't know what state you are in but 19 hours on a boat that age in Minnesota is not uncommon at all if you are a 3 time a year boater when it's warm, not raining, the kids don't have a tournament, or other committment during the months of June, July and August. Here again in MN there is no sales tax on used boats from private parties or brokerage and so thinking about the depreciation, and the thousands of $ saved from not paying sales tax, a nearly new but used boat is hard to argue with. Also private parties tend to throw in all of their gear in to the deal. I got over $2,000 worth of wake boards, 18 life jackets both low and high speed, ropes, tubes and on and on for nothing. Really high end stuff that I'd never spring for. For a first boat I think you are on the right track brand wise but seeing as how you have a decent budget, I would expand a little bit and check out some other builders. For that money, you could jump an eschelon or two given how cheap I am seeing nearly new boats priced as given the end of summer and the double dip. As for the warranty, my 2003 has had absolutly zero issues hull related and only the required preventative tune up items engine related. The warranty went completely unused. A warranty is nice to have but for me if the deal is right, not necessary. I'm just one example and that doesn't make the argument but these tried and true engines are venerable.

 

[skuzmak]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

Thanks for the info guys! Being new to this I didn't know abot MPI/Carb, after jkust's comment I did some more digging, indeed I do want MPI! I'm going to give the Glastrons a look over tomorrow, I'm leaning to the used one as it seems like quite a deal and with the leftover cash I can possible get a wakeboard tower installed. Will also do more research on other brands, but there seems to be a limitation on local)ish) options as we have a limited number of boat dealers around here (southern alberta, canada). I'll update this thread with my findings/decision/results...excited!

 

[scipper77]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

Glasstron has a fiberglass composite stringer system.

Tahoe makes no mention of stringers on there web site which I can only assume means wooden stringers (until I hear differently).

This seems important to me. Another manufacturer I have been looking at is Stingray. They also have composite stringers.

Replacing a floor and transom in 10-15 years is small potatoes compared to doing floor and stringers.

Stingray and Glasstron both claim to have the best hull design, go figure.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

Glasstron has a fiberglass composite stringer system.

Tahoe makes no mention of stringers on there web site which I can only assume means wooden stringers (until I hear differently).

This seems important to me. Another manufacturer I have been looking at is Stingray. They also have composite stringers.

Replacing a floor and transom in 10-15 years is small potatoes compared to doing floor and stringers.

Stingray and Glasstron both claim to have the best hull design, go figure.

Up until recently Tahoe did have composite stringers on their website. I just looked, and you are right, it is not there. It only says fiberglass hull and decks.

Having said that, I loved my Tahoe Q7. HOWEVER, I recently had the same delimna that you have. I could get a brand new Tahoe, or Bayliner. Admitedly I never looked at Glasstron. That used Glasstron sounds a bit fishy and is a bit overpriced. I picked up my 08 Monterey for $25k, and that was a $40k boat new, so..... Given the choice, all other things equal I would choose the fuel injected engine for sure. Also go to Tahoe's website. I think you should be able to get that Q7 cheaper. Seems to me with the rebates, I could get one with an injected 5.0 under $30k, but its been a few weeks. I do know the Bayliner tried to mark up thier boat $2900 over MSRP. Obviously I walked.

I dont think you will be unhappy with either boat. Like I said, I loved my Q7. It was an 01 though and time for an upgrade.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

Since you are looking at new boats, you should plan on taking a big depreciation hit in the first few years. Niether one of those boats is going to win a quality award, but Glastron might hold a slight edge. Fit & finish is going to be the biggest issue. Don't think buying new is going to get you a problem free boat. Lots of new boats have initial problems, particularly the lower cost brands. Many of the lower end boats companies push the product out to the dealers and make them fix stuff. That is what all those horror stories that you hear are all about.

You might want to consider looking at boat several years old and going up a few notches on the brand scale. You will be getting a boat that already took the big depreciation hit (at someone else's expense), and probably has all the initial issues worked out. Just a thought.

 

[skuzmak]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

regarding the stringers, I've got a copy of Tahoe's brochure, it indicates a fibreglass stringer system.

I also checked into Tahoe's website for local dealers, it found one about an hour away that I didn't know about. Turns out they have a new 2010 Q7 with a Merc 5.0 260 MPI, snap-in carpet, and cockpit/bow cover for just under $30k. Looks like a Tahoe could be back in the running. Nice part about this one is it's from a real dealer, with real service....not BPS.

I guess part of why I'm leaning towards new boats is that I am in the lower-end market, i.e. boats more prone to breaking down/falling apart. I'm thinking that the warranty should cover any issues in the first couple of years, after which the kinks should be worn out. plus they're shiny

regarding the monterey, my brother-in-law has one. Very nice, but I don't want to buy the same boat

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

regarding the stringers, I've got a copy of Tahoe's brochure, it indicates a fibreglass stringer system.

I also checked into Tahoe's website for local dealers, it found one about an hour away that I didn't know about. Turns out they have a new 2010 Q7 with a Merc 5.0 260 MPI, snap-in carpet, and cockpit/bow cover for just under $30k. Looks like a Tahoe could be back in the running. Nice part about this one is it's from a real dealer, with real service....not BPS.

I guess part of why I'm leaning towards new boats is that I am in the lower-end market, i.e. boats more prone to breaking down/falling apart. I'm thinking that the warranty should cover any issues in the first couple of years, after which the kinks should be worn out. plus they're shiny

regarding the monterey, my brother-in-law has one. Very nice, but I don't want to buy the same boat

I hear ya. LOL. I was more than happy with my Tahoe. I had the 5.7 with a 2bbl carb, and it lept out of the water and would do about 55mph on plane. Much quicker launch than my newer Monterey with equal HP. The Monterey handles rough water better, but I took out an 05 Chaparral, and a 06 Sea Ray of equal size and price range. The Chap did phenomenal whereas the Sea Ray was very disapointing. Very sparce when compared to an similar sized Bayliner sitting right beside it, and handled just like the Bayliner. Not quite as well as my old Q7. So just because it is more money does not mean it is better. I even had the Sea Ray dealer tell me that their smaller boats did not get the same attention to detail as their larger boats. Of course the Bayliner dealer brags that their boats are now built on the same line as Sea Ray. All of the boats I test drove were in the 20ft to 21ft range.

I agree with some others when mentioning used instead of new. If you can find a year or 2 old boat, someone else takes the huge fall in value. Something else to think about. My 01 Tahoe Q7 still had a low NADA value of $8600. So they do hold thier value. Again, I know almost nothing about Glasstron, other than seeing them on the water. There was not a Glasstron dealer anyplace close and none for sale in this area when I was looking.

 

[cribber]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

I was torn between Tahoe and Glastron when I was shopping for a boat in 2008. Both boats were identically equipped and the Tahoe did have a better layout, but the Glastron had a huge sun pad and a really wide open bilge/engine area. I picked the Glastron because the Tahoe dealer wouldn't work with me on price. Just get the best bang for your buck and you can't go wrong!! They are both new with full factory warranty if something goes wrong.

 

[blifsey]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

Had a Glastron GX205 for 10 seasons and, for the price, it was a great boat. I know folks that have had Tahoes and similar happiness. Either is a great way to get into the boating world!

 

[skuzmak]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

update....bought a boat.

Dropped the glasstron as the wife really wanted the walk-through transon. Ended up torn between the shiny new Tahoe Q7i w/ 5.0 260 (MPI) and a 2007 Campion 595i w/ 5.7 300(MPI).

I found at there there is wood in several parts of the Q7 (transon, floor, in front of the steering wheel (not sure what that wall is called). The Q7 was very tempting, loved the layour...but i bought the Campion today...it just seemed like a better built boat. The 595 has 40 hours, has monster wake-tower with bimini and is in pretty great shape. I hope I made the right decision Here's the link to the boat: http://www.martinmotorsports.ca/new...2011J10I14I47JAMQ4362R0&veh=53571&pov=1784319

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

Looks nice. Congrats. I dont know much about Champion, but it looks pretty nice.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

Don't know much about them either, but that swim platform out back is WAY bigger than the ones on the Glastron. Not really that big a deal, Mine works fine for me, but another 6" back there wouldn't hurt.

Personally, I bought a 2003 Glastron 185 with 190 hp Volvo, and it has been AWESOME since I have had it. it only had 80 hours on the clock and they appear to have been well-maintained hours. It has been a spotless boat, not a hiccup or flaw to be found after two years of running around. So, I WOULD have recommended the Glastron based on my experiences.
Let us know how the new boat works out for you!

 

[gtochris]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

Beautiful boat choice!

 

[jbetzelb]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

I hope not to offend anyone but my experience in a 08 glastron 205 was that it had a very choppy ride in water that wasn't really rough. My experience is about 6 hours in that boat but the ride was rough.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

My '03 Glastron 185, yes, gets rough quickly. Feels like my old jet boat at times. But you have to give up some comfort if you want speed, and vice versa.

My boat is pretty fast (and AWESOME gas "mileage"), but puts out very little wake, and gets pounded by waves and other boats' wakes.

I can go out for 4, sometimes 5 trips on one tank of gas. Less drag means more pounding on the waves.

But it is definitely not UNBEARABLE...

 

[blifsey]

Re: First Boat - Tahoe Q7SF vs Glastron GT 205?

I hope not to offend anyone but my experience in a 08 glastron 205 was that it had a very choppy ride in water that wasn't really rough. My experience is about 6 hours in that boat but the ride was rough.

Not offended but have totally opposite opinion after more than 350 hrs and 10 seasons in an '02 Glastron 205. 'Course, it depends on what chop you were in vs chop I was in. We boated on medium sized lakes (<25,000 acres) and in what I felt was some pretty rough lake water stirred up from wind and boat wakes.