Talk me out of this old Glastron, please....

[Beagleville]

This old boat keeps talking to me. I like older Glastrons, but am not sure about this I/o. Opinions, please? Thanks...

​https://nh.craigslist.org/boa/d/1974-glastron-179-starflite/6277925556.html

 

[ondarvr]

Looks like a nice $500.00 boat. That is after you put another 2-3K into it to replace the rotten wood.

An old tri hull, no way.

 

[southkogs]

I like old glass ... and worse yet, I like old tri-hulls. If it was solid, and I really liked it ... I'd make sure I knew what I was getting into with the old Volvo. I don't know anything about 'em, but I learned with the OMC that it's a vintage (= old and no one likes 'em) drive.

I don't think I'd spend $2,500 on it ... but I might go in for $1,500 if ondarvr's prophecy about the wood isn't true

 

[tpenfield]

Are you handy and then some?

 

[ahicks]

Are you handy and then some?

I would add 2 more attributes to that.

First, do you have the patience of a saint?

And second, do you have a place you could work on it?

 

[mr 88]

A 46 year old boat with the vinyl on its last legs,even though they say its good, stitching etc is waiting for any miscue to fall apart. How many thousands of hours are on the engine ? Carpeting that usually holds moisture in appears to be worn through in many spots. Alternator shot and who knows what up with the outdrive. If your going to spend 2-2500 and then put that much into it in a very short time you would be better off dropping 5 grand on a boat 20-30 years newer with a mercruiser drive system on it. Its a buyers market in your neck of the woods with fall fast approaching,almost as fast as I would walk away from a overpriced soon to be project boat....Just looked on New Hampshire Craigslist and right off the bat I see a 1999 19' Glastron with a 4.3 mercruiser, ASKING 2,000. Has the deep V that will put the one your looking at to shame in rough water,poster says it a 4 banger but with the two exhaust manifolds it sure looks like a V6.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I haven't even opened the ad and I'm passing.

$2500.00, is he serious? We tore the floor out of an old 80's era tri-hull re did it completely including a new wind screen and redid the back to backs and put a rebuilt 23 year old 70 Merc on it and asked 2K CDN and sold it for 1800.

 

[Maclin]

Pass. Ad says the gimbal bearing does not need to be replaced. New flash -- it does not have one. Too much money for that old of a boat even in perfect condition, and this one needs the work ad states and also work that it leaves out. Plus it is a TriHull.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Way overpriced.

 

[REN3G8]

I haven't even opened the ad and I'm passing.

$2500.00, is he serious? We tore the floor out of an old 80's era tri-hull re did it completely including a new wind screen and redid the back to backs and put a rebuilt 23 year old 70 Merc on it and asked 2K CDN and sold it for 1800.

Wish I knew you then... lol, I'd grab that no problem.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Wish I knew you then... lol, I'd grab that no problem.

You did a great job on your boat. Much better than the tri hull we had, plus it was a tri hull. When you get 2 footitis take a walk around the property across from Harrisons. There haven't been many weekends this summer to get on the lake safely in a small boat.

 

[jkust]

That looks like the biggest pos I've seen in a long time. I wouldn't take that boat if you attached a bag filled with $5,000 dollars in it with the qualifier that I couldn't have it hauled to the transfer station. Just kidding....looks like maybe a 500$ boat but looks in better shape than I've seen for 43 years old. I don't have time for projects so every second working on a boat is a second I'm not on a fully capable boat in an era when cheap, used boats that have no issue to contend with are everywhere. Time is so valuable that I can't imagine having enough of it to spend on a project. I know most are in that same boat.

 

[Stumpalump]

2500 bucks for a boat with all that room and a Volvo. Looks good to me if its as solid as it looks. Lots of boats 1/2 it's age have old an OMC or Mercruiser and a lot of rot. Tri hull is not a ruff water boat and poor at crossing boat wakes but if you run smooth water..... I'd never pay any money for a plastic and glass covered particle board or plywood boat with an outdrive contraption but many do. If you have not learn you lesson yet to steer clear of these type boats then at least you got a smoking deal on one. Old Glastrons held up better than most and so did Volvo. Good luck!

 

[Beagleville]

Thanks for the input, folks. The reasons it caught my eye were (1) vinyl and dash look very good, (2) the engine is extremely clean for an old boat (having owned Volvos, I like that engine in a car, but know nothing about it in a boat), and (3) the alternator is right out there where it can be easily changed. I've never owned an I/O, never wanted to go through the hassle of winterization compared to an outboard. The I the lake I live on is three miles long so you don't get a real whopper of a chop, so the trihull would probably work. Anyway, thanks again for your input.

 

[roffey]

FYI, I can winterize my boat is one hour and that's taking my time. I think the boat looks great but $2500 is $2500....

 

[Big Gee]

This old boat keeps talking to me. I like older Glastrons,

Are you thinking in terms of a project boat or something more turn key?

 

[Maclin]

Well, you did start the post by asking us to talk you out of it! Can't do that AND call out any redeeming qualities.

 

[Beagleville]

Are you thinking in terms of a project boat or something more turn key?

​I don't want a project boat. This appeared to be an interesting older boat in useable condition. However, I know nothing about that power combination, was sort of hoping someone could chime in who's used one of these.

 

[ondarvr]

2014 non project, good chance.

2004, possible, but far less likely

1994, project for sure.

Older than that, total gut and rebuild, including the drive system.

 

[Big Gee]

For additional insight, you might try this :

http://www.classicglastron.com/phpbb/index.php