How are Glastrons?

[jattea]

I'm in the market for a used late model 24-26' midcabin cruiser in Buffalo, where the most common boats are Sea Ray, Chapperal, Rinker, and Bayliner. I'm also coming across some Glastrons. Are those any good? How do they stack up against those other boats?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: How are Glastrons?

Well, Glastrons are a very pretty boat. I don't know about the newer ones, but the older ones in the 20 foot range had some excellent write-ups in boating magazines--seems they could do air time and come down relatively softly. Their "Aqua-Lift" hull was supposed to be the the most copied deep vee. The smaller ones do tend to be fast for a given size and power. I have three small old girls in my arsenal--14, 15, 16 foot.

However, you might get a better answer at the Classic Glastron website.

 

[erlindbl]

Re: How are Glastrons?

I have a 2008 Glastron but it's only an 18 foot. I don't know how old of a boat your looking for, but I know the newer Glastrons have the Vec hull. They have no wood in them and are built in two fiberglass pieces. I have been extremely impressed with the hull. The interior fiberglass is phenomenal. It's all done by computer and it looks like it was finished. The deck is all fibergalss with the snap in carpet. You take the carpet out and hose the whole thing out. No worries about how much sand gets tracked in. Clean up is a snap.

The boat also gets up on plane very fast and handles well in rough conditions for a little boat. The boat rides and handles much better than my old one.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: How are Glastrons?

I love mine...as far as a 1996 model.
Well built, sturdy and can take the chop without beating up the occupants.
And still looks like a newer boat.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: How are Glastrons?

I love mine too its a 1993 SSV190.

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[Pierutrus]

Re: How are Glastrons?

Nice pic, krakatoa.
What size Merc is on her?

 

[krakatoa]

Re: How are Glastrons?

Thanks Pierutus
Actually is a Mariner 115, its hits 30MPH very easy. I would like to go faster with this outboard but run fine.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: How are Glastrons?

Thanks Pierutus
Actually is a Mariner 115, its hits 30MPH very easy. I would like to go faster with this outboard but run fine.

Just a thought, after looking at your pic for the thirteenth time ( I love the Glastron look ), I noticed you have a whale tail on the O/B. I "use" to have one on my I/O. I took it off and put smart tabs on and gained about 3 mph, planed out faster and could keep on plane at slower speeds than the whale tail.
I'd never go back.......Take a look at them.

AND......Let me state that I have no affiliation with the maker's of smart tab's.
Just expressing my opinion on how they worked for me and my craft.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: How are Glastrons?

Of course I will try, then I will take a look for the prop. Let see what happen. About the hull is most beautiful one in the market without talk about the incredible navigation on rought waters like this ones in P.R.

 

[AguaSki]

Re: How are Glastrons?

Glastron's get better with age. I have attached a couple pics of my 30 year old Glastron SSV-188.

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: How are Glastrons?

Here is my Glastron SX170 with a merc 150. The boat is a 2005 with VEC and i absolutely love it. It is a beautiful boat and it handles like its on rails and tops out at 60 mph. I pop up on plane at 2,000 rpms. I would say that at about 1/3 throttle, i jump up on plane in a few seconds. Its incredible. I couldn't be more happy.

PS the dates are wrong on the photos...

 

[DJ]

Re: How are Glastrons?

Glastron has always been a trend setter in design and function. They seem to have a gift for that.

As far as build quality, I cannot say. But there are plenty of them still around. That says something.

I've always been a Glastron Fan. Especially after my favorite movie; James Bond-Live and Let Die. Rent it, you'll see some cool Glastrons in that one.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: How are Glastrons?

Although I've never owned one, I hear they are a pretty good boat. I think they have always been one of the best looking boats on the water and given my druthers thats one boat I would consider without too much hesitation.
Regardless, if the boat is used check carefully into its condition, maintenance and storage background. Like a few others here in the forum, I measure the owner of the boat and his general households condition (yard, vehicles, tidy-ness, etc) when checking out used stuff he might be selling.
My two bits.
BP

 

[krakatoa]

Re: How are Glastrons?

Glastron Rules~~~

 

[orion25]

Re: How are Glastrons?

I have a Larson 208 LXi and they are made by the same company as Glastron (Genmar). I love my boat ant it has served me very well. I am considering getting rid or it but only because I want a cruiser.............................

 

[AguaSki]

Re: How are Glastrons?

I've always been a Glastron Fan. Especially after my favorite movie; James Bond-Live and Let Die. Rent it, you'll see some cool Glastrons in that one.

Here are some James Bond Glastron pics.

 

[mthieme]

Re: How are Glastrons?

I saw this same year and model restored recently on eBay.
I love the lines and styling of the older ones.