glastron

[W1LL]

hey guys great site I have always loved boating and I found what looks like a good deal so I might get into the water again. its a 74 glastron with 65hp motor and no lower unit. and a rip in the canopy I am still waiting for word on the overall cond. but the motor runs great. and it is sounding good so far

$400 asking price what do ya think?

here's a link don't steal it! LOL

http://montana.craigslist.org/boa/1463312409.html

 

[W1LL]

Re: glastron

So many good restorations on this boat I cant wait to get into it although I want to find one with round windshield now. I may settle for this one if it is in good shape..!!!!

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: glastron

The ad says there is No Lower Unit on the motor, not sure what that will cost. Also, it looks like the only care the boat has had was tilting it high enough for the water to drain (assuming the plug is out). Check the floor and transom out, if either show signs of rot (very likely) then you will have to strip it down to a bare hull and rebuild.

A friend of mine had the same boat many years ago. I believe the max rating for the engine was 85hp but he had hung a 115 on it. The boat seemed to handle the power well though and he wasn't very kind to it either.

Good luck if you purchase the boat.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: glastron

Pretty sure I wouldn't pay much for that rig. I'd give it about an 85% chance of being rotted, the trailer doesn't look that great and a lower unit for the motor is going set you back a few pesos. I'm just not seeing anything overly positive to recommend it.

 

[W1LL]

Re: glastron

COOL guys thank you very much, I priced some lower units out new on ebay for 400$ and some used rebuilt for 150$ so thats not a big deal, I read the threads of some other guys who rebuilt theirs from the hull up looks tough but to have a solid boat and be able to put a bigger motor on it is why I LIKE it and the tri-hull very nice design.

I am just excited to get into a boat project I have always been on the water and love it now that I am old enough and have a trailer and a truck to tow almost anything I need a boat.
the seller wrote me today and said he used it all last year it has a tear in the seat which is taped and a tear in the canopy other than that he said it is ready for the water. sounds ok but price is a bit high the fishfinder and the merc has most of the value thanks for the reality check I am too excited to be buying a boat, well I am actually trading some stuff for it so its a better deal no cash out of pocket until I need to restore.

 

[W1LL]

Re: glastron

the one good thing i can think of is in Montana it does not rain much at all maybe once or twice a year. and if it does rain it dries up quick cause of the cold and wind. and I hope if he had a tilt trailer since he has owned it, he pulled the drain plug too.
the gel coat on the top of the boat looks ok but it is wet so who knows I guess I will have to take a little drive and check it out its a 5hr drive so I hope the guy isnt BS'ing me about the condition.

I am excited can you tell LOL. I started looking for a 50's ski boat but came across this deal and totally changed my mind. I like fishing too much anyway i need an all purpose boat.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: glastron

That is the tri-hull version. Fast but it will rattle your teeth. Underpowered with a 65 should have a 90 on it.

Floors tended to get punky in the 70s Glastrons and you had better double check the condition of the transom.

If you want to see it perform, rent Live and Let Die, James Bond.

 

[W1LL]

Re: glastron

If you want to see it perform, rent Live and Let Die, James Bond.

I know that one well no wonder I like the boat haha I love james bond.


yeah, I am not ready for a full restore yet so I think I will pass unless I get it on a good trade there are others out there I am looking for something to use and restore later when I upgrade. THANKS for all the info

 

[W1LL]

Re: glastron

Ok I asked about the transom and the floor and got this reply.

"the transom is perfect no cracks, the floor towards the back is alittle soft in one spot."



I think it might be worth the drive? I would still have to buy a lower unit which could be 100 or 400$ or get a bigger newer lighter engine. LOL right.

 

[W1LL]

Re: glastron

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmb3ZUAObyc


soooo crazy at 1:05 that little trihull is gettin squirllllly!

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: glastron

If you buy the boat, for less than the asking price I hope, then just sell the outboard for parts. Much better to buy another, more powerful motor in good running condition than to rebuild this one expensive part by part.

The boat will need floor stringers probably transom, simply a reality of the age...you can ignore that reality, but it doesnt change the sheer science involved. Wood rots. Old wood in a junk boat is always rotten. So make sure you really like the boat/trailer before investing all this time and money - around my neck of the woods an old closed bow is free, trailers go for about $150+ and they are everywhere....

 

[Texasmark]

Re: glastron

Tell you what man. I spent most of my adult life poor. I got an excellent education and had adequate opportunities, but being an engineering technician at the time and trying to raise 4 kids, and have a little fun (for all of the family) in the process, money was always tight.

I did the best I could and favored things such as you are contemplating. In short, you would be better off getting something worth while than fooling with this thing, I don't care if it's given to you. I have been down that path so many times I can see it in my sleep.

And for the record, when I was stationed in Austin, TX., Glastron was manufactured there and Glastrons were on all the "Highland Lakes" and even President Lyndon Johnson's favorite boat was a Glastron...........but that was 40 years ago and everybody then used wood in their fiberglas boats. So to expect miracles out of a boat that old is not wise.

Additionally, 15' trihulls (most popular boat of the day) were powered with 60-65 hp OMC's primarily....in my neighborhood. Stellar performance with a boat full of family on Sunday was not of the offering....boat too small, engine too small for aquatic activities.

I'm out of breath. Want to know more, ask.

Mark

 

[W1LL]

Re: glastron

thanks guys I needed a reality check, there is no denying time and weather.

what I am doing now is looking for a good deal on any boat. in my experience with boats as a kid and teenager I loved the closed bow with port hole windows and being able to sit on the top deck. my goal is to find something sun and strong to handle the kids so I don't worry about them destroying it.

we dont mind driving and go to Cali once a year so that gives me more of a chance thanks again for the input and you are right there are plenty of free boats even on craigslist if I want to put some work in.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: glastron

If you want to get on the water cheap....go aluminum.

 

[W1LL]

Re: glastron

god idea I like the little to no maint. and after reading the Forgotten plug thread I could go for a boat without one. LOL what a great site this is!