Glastron GT 180

[petrowski53]

Hey all,

If any of you read my last post, you will have realized the disappointment I am experiencing with my '87 Thompson in not having enough power from it's I/O set up. While I have been looking at several later 1980's models (such as dare I say Bayliner Capris), I have concluded that the Glastron GT 180 O/B is exactly what I am looking for! Is there anybody out their that has a recent one (within the last few model years)? IF i do end up buying one (and I am somewhat against buying a "Brand New" boat but...) is it worth upgrading to the 150 E-Tec vs. the 115? Sorry, but I am not interested at all in any of the other power options.

I am really excited at the prospect of a new O/B powered Runabout. After A couple of Mercruisers, I have had enough. I want to go back to O/B!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Glastron GT 180

A 115 will be good power for an 18', a 90 would be about the minumum. A 150 would be GREAT. If you're going to haul a number of people around while doing watersports and stuff like that, go for the 150.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Glastron GT 180

We had a 98 GS180 for several years. Had a 115 Yamaha four stroke. Good power, I think with the 150 that thing would have been an absolute rocket!

The Glastons are great hulls. Especially now with the VEC construction they are using, no wood at all except backing plates and attatchment points inside. Ours was a precourser to the vec. It had fiberglass everything but the deck. You will be pleased with it for many years if you decide to go that route.
Good Luck

PS; I miss my outboard powerplant too!

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Glastron GT 180

Not to try to sway you as I looked pretty hard at a Glasstron 180 and it is a beautiful boat. Just a few other options as we were originally looking for the same design. Tahoe Q4 OB - haven't made them since 07, but it was a 19' outboard bowrider. Searay 175 OB was available for a while. Triumph makes two dual console OB's. Four Winns made a small OB runabout as well. Just a few more options if you don't find the Glasstron you are looking for. Good luck and happy shopping.

 

[mtski]

Re: Glastron GT 180

I owned a 2007 Glastron GT180 with a Mercury Optimax 150 HP. I sold it because I wanted a bigger boat more tailored to my family of 4 growing teenagers and their activities. The 150 HP made the boat very quick, running about 51MPH (GPS) at 4000 ft altitude. It was quick out of the hole, pulling up slalom skiers fairly easily. I thought that the Glastron hull was very solid. The boat was fun and easy to drive. The snap-in carpet and driver's seat bolster were nice touches. My wife still misses that boat occasionally. I would wholeheartedly recommend this boat to anybody wanting a smaller, bowrider runabout. I think that it is better build quality than either the Tahoe or the Bayliner, JMO

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Glastron GT 180

Not sure how that boat compares to mine (03 Glastron GX185) but I have the 190 hp volvo in it and am not sure if I would settle for less than that, maybe 150-ish, but I would have to test drive it first.

My boat is a pretty heavy boat for as small as it is. I guess that is how Glastron makes that hull so sturdy. It makes it a heavier boat. Which I LIKE!

But overall, I am EXTREMELY please with the Glastron boat.

 

[NCLakeboater]

Re: Glastron GT 180

We had a 98 GS180 for several years. Had a 115 Yamaha four stroke. Good power, I think with the 150 that thing would have been an absolute rocket!

The Glastons are great hulls. Especially now with the VEC construction they are using, no wood at all except backing plates and attatchment points inside. Ours was a precourser to the vec. It had fiberglass everything but the deck. You will be pleased with it for many years if you decide to go that route.
Good Luck

PS; I miss my outboard powerplant too!

Glastron production was moved to Cadillac, Michigan in the same plant as Four Winns. They no longer use the VEC technology, but are built in the traditional open mold process. The GT 180 is a real nice boat.

 

[NCLakeboater]

Re: Glastron GT 180

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnZb6dx9gQk

 

[petrowski53]

Re: Glastron GT 180

Not to try to sway you as I looked pretty hard at a Glasstron 180 and it is a beautiful boat. Just a few other options as we were originally looking for the same design. Tahoe Q4 OB - haven't made them since 07, but it was a 19' outboard bowrider. Searay 175 OB was available for a while. Triumph makes two dual console OB's. Four Winns made a small OB runabout as well. Just a few more options if you don't find the Glasstron you are looking for. Good luck and happy shopping.

I am not looking for a Dual console setup. What was the four winns model? I like Four Winns as it is a pretty local company for me ( I am in Saginaw). I have never been a fan of Sea Ray small runabout models of late. They seem to be just overpriced Bayliners now. (I am not a Searay hater, I used to own a 19' 1985 Seville and it was a great boat).

The Vec hulled glastron is a big selling point. I think Larson may make a similar model as well now. Out of curiosity, what boat did you go with?

 

[petrowski53]

Re: Glastron GT 180

Glastron production was moved to Cadillac, Michigan in the same plant as Four Winns. They no longer use the VEC technology, but are built in the traditional open mold process. The GT 180 is a real nice boat.

I thought they still use VEC? Thats the main thing they advertise on all their boats? Maybe Four winns also uses VEC now?

 

[skibrain]

Re: Glastron GT 180

My brother in law has a 2000 GX180 with 2-stroke 150 Johnson (same year). I don't know how the exact specs line up with the GT. I'm pretty sure his hull does NOT use VEC construction (I think just the GX185 i/o in that year). He bought it used about 6 years ago and it has been great. Torque steer was a handful until he installed hydraulic steering - I would definitely recommend that. It will run 60-61 mph gps with solo driver. I was pretty surprised when we first checked it. 21" stainless prop. He has the original 19" aluminum prop as well, but have never tried that.

As far as weight, the i/o GX185 is around 2,300 lb. I think the 2000 GX180 was just over 1,400 for the hull. Add about 400 for the 150 outboard = 1,850 or so. Easily 450 less than the inboard.

Not all adults here, and yes we dragged for a long time but still pretty impressive:

Last summer. Five 19-22 year olds was EASY.

 

[NCLakeboater]

Re: Glastron GT 180

I thought they still use VEC? Thats the main thing they advertise on all their boats? Maybe Four winns also uses VEC now?

Project Boat Holdings (Platinum Equity) bought Glastron in the Genmar bankrupty. Irwin Jacobs retained the VEC process for the Larson line which he also re-bought in bankruptcy. Hence, the Glastron production was moved to Cadillac, Michigan to continue production there along side of Four Winns (also bought by Platinum Equity) which does not use the VEC process either.

http://www.platinumequity.com/news/413/glastron-boats-launches-2011-models

 

[petrowski53]

Re: Glastron GT 180

Skibrain:, that is very impressive, and an absolutely beautiful boat! I may look for one of that vintage instead. I don't really need boat payments and car payments while in college. I havent seen to many of those around here in Michigan, so I will have to look this winter. For now though, the '87 Thompson will spend at least another winter in my possession (thats not such a bad thing). Maybe next spring I can find a good deal, maybe not. Regardless it not a bad dilema to have, I don't know that many other guys my age in college who have a boat sitting back home with their name on the title. I just wish I did'nt have to spend so much time workin my A** off to be able to enjoy that luxury

 

[Jet Wrench]

Re: Glastron GT 180

They are a good hull, I like the older Glastron Carlsons myself. You'll have a rocket with the 150 on it! Here is a pic of my 87 GC CVX-18 with a 350/260HP Alpha One outdrive (68 MPH on a good day!)

 

[petrowski53]

Re: Glastron GT 180

They are a good hull, I like the older Glastron Carlsons myself. You'll have a rocket with the 150 on it! Here is a pic of my 87 GC CVX-18 with a 350/260HP Alpha One outdrive (68 MPH on a good day!)

Cool boat man! I too like the older glastron carlsons. A speed boat just isnt quite versitile enough for my needs, and I can't have two boats (yet anyways) I would like to pick up an older carlson n bad shape some day for a restore project.