This might be the one...Glastron?

[garso22]

We have spent the summer trying to buy our first boat. We have been searching online, Craigslist, newspapers, roadsides, etc. for something in our price range. Every time I inquire on a boat the sucker is gone within a few days or I'll go to make an offer and it was sold that day. Well, I have lined up another water test and I have a good feeling about this one.

The boat is a 2002 Glastron GX185. 4.3 liter V6 Mercruiser. Second owner. Stored inside for winters. Winterized. Tachometer does not work. Alternator replaced recently. The seats are starting to go and would need to be reupholstered. No bimini top. Mooring covers included. Trailer included. Selling because they need the money. Asking 7500.

NADA lists a low for this boat around 10000.

What do you guys think? Glastron a good boat? Anything I need to look for? Am I fool? I would need to drive 2 hours to do a water test....

 

[oldjeep]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

If the seats are rotting out already then make sure you look at the floors and inside the ski locker very closely. You'ld be a fool not to do the water test.

Good luck

 

[soonerce]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

Was $7,500 what you budgeted for your boat? If so, what will you do about the seats? If not, how much did you budget for the purchase?

Glastron has been around forever and from what I understand it's a great boat. For me though, if I had more budgeted I'd probably keep looking for something with less things that would need fixing right away.

 

[JimS123]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

My 28 year old boat is stored indoors and the upholstery can't be told from new. 2002 isn't that old.

Just like when you look at a recent car that's all dented, scratched and rusty. When the owner tells you its been well maintained, the visual appearance will tell you otherwise.

Glastron is a good boat when new, but a used one is only as good as the care it received..

 

[garso22]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

In regards to the seats, the owner told me the previous owner would not put the covers on the boat in the summer. As for rot, the boat is fiberglass. A little concerning, but a water test should reveal any other blemishes. Any other suggestions as to what to look for? I have budgeted for 8500. I believe I can get the seller down to 7000.

 

[garso22]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

Also, the seats that need work are in the front.

 

[jdlough]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

As for rot, the boat is fiberglass.

:facepalm:


The transom and stringers are most likely wood. They are the bones of the fiberglass shell of the boat, and provide extremely necessary structure.

Bad upholstery, or soft spots on the deck, are signs that the boat may have been often left out in the weather. Standing fresh water (from rain, the lake, or wherever) can rot the wood in the deck, stringers, and transom. (Salt water is less likely to cause rot.)

Re-upholstering costs more than you might think.

 

[southkogs]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

In regards to the seats, the owner told me the previous owner would not put the covers on the boat in the summer...

Check the floor carefully, and get the nose WAY up before you go on the water. See if any water comes out of the stern before you put it on the lake. If they left the covers off enough to screw up the upholstery, they left the covers off enough to screw up everything else.

 

[Mason78]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

How many engine hours are on it?

 

[90stingray]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

I have a 01 gx 185... it needed cleaned up etc. But she has been a solid rig. Rides well thru the water. I drove over 2 hrs to meet the guy for a water test. I brought the cash so i towed it home that same day.

 

[Dustinmc15]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

I bought my first boat almost a year ago, a 1997 Glastron 175 with the 4.3 in it. The previous owner took very good care of it. I take it out at least 3 times a month and have had zero problems with it.

 

[jkust]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

What do you guys think? Glastron a good boat? Anything I need to look for? Am I fool? I would need to drive 2 hours to do a water test....

View attachment 164097

I don't know you so I don't know your taste. A Glastron is a good boat. There are boat brands not so good and some that are excellent far beyond Glastron. If it were me, I woudln't be interested in a boat that wasn't perfect in every way even if it was 10 years old. Any upholstery work would be unacceptable, no bimini is unacceptable, no snap out carpet is a no go, no midship cleats, cheap looking non-roller trailer, I could go on and on. That's how I buy stuff, you may not be as selective. End of the day though 7500 is cheap to just get on the water. The very few times I've ever compromised, I always regretted not sticking to my guns especially when there is a time crunch pushing you along. I'd be very happy spending more $ to get exactly what I want with the fewest number of compromises as is possible even if it takes a while.

 

[garso22]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

I don't know you so I don't know your taste. A Glastron is a good boat. There are boat brands not so good and some that are excellent far beyond Glastron. If it were me, I woudln't be interested in a boat that wasn't perfect in every way even if it was 10 years old. Any upholstery work would be unacceptable, no bimini is unacceptable, no snap out carpet is a no go, no midship cleats, cheap looking non-roller trailer, I could go on and on. That's how I buy stuff, you may not be as selective. End of the day though 7500 is cheap to just get on the water. The very few times I've ever compromised, I always regretted not sticking to my guns especially when there is a time crunch pushing you along. I'd be very happy spending more $ to get exactly what I want with the fewest number of compromises as is possible even if it takes a while.

I made a decision to wait. While there appeared to be value in this deal, even if I put a couple grand into it from the get go, it just didn't feel right. The search continues.... Thank you all for your feedback.

 

[emoney]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

Get someone local involvpd that's knowledgable about boats too. There were warning signs all over this one, that as a buyer we get caught up in the moment and overlook. Good for you for "passing". There's about to be tons of options to choose from.

 

[southkogs]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

^^^^ Right on! 30 days out and you'll be lookin' at all kinds of boats for sale. This time of year you can wait for your pitch.

 

[bnicov]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

One thing to remember, 2001 is the year that Larson and Glastron went to the VEC hull. THERE IS NO WOOD IN THE TRANSOM OR STRINGERS TO ROT. I'm not sure about the floor.

 

[jkust]

Re: This might be the one...Glastron?

One thing to remember, 2001 is the year that Larson and Glastron went to the VEC hull. THERE IS NO WOOD IN THE TRANSOM OR STRINGERS TO ROT. I'm not sure about the floor.

I see you added your location as Vermont. A southern climate to us Minnesotans but a short season none the less. What I'll say is that there is a short window in the beginning of the boating season and at the end when the bowriders hit the market and are quickly gone. If it doesn't happen this year, you've got next year but keep the timing in mind. I'm of the mind that when I go cheap on something I regret it later down the road. I'll always spend the extra to not just do something but do it well even if it is difficult to attain. In other words I don't hesitate to pay for quality especially with a long term purchase like a boat. I've surmised over the years that the satisfaction level of owning a boat goes up when you are actually on the water not fixing stuff. I see a lot dissatisfied owners that post every day because they aren't actually boating with their older model boats they got a great deal on. Everything marine is more expensive than you'd expect as compared to the non marine counterpart. Heck even my Meguiars marine wax is a lot more expensive than the same looking bottle with a car on it.