Glastron GS279 any good?

[Roadhog]

Trying to find out if these are any good on the Sea? Or whether they are basically US lake boats. Anyone own one or know about them? Good value or best avoided for UK Coastal use?

Any comments welcome - thanks.

 

[landlockedpirate]

Yes they are just US lake boats, but they are perfectly OK for coastal use as long as you are sensible about the weather and sea conditions. The old saying that the crew will give up before the boat is spot on, they tend to slam badly when it gets a bit bumpy.

Having said that you get a lot of boat for your money with modern (If a bit plasticy on early ones) interiors and the choice of decent petrol or diesel engines. Big accomodation for the length and a small but functional head.

With all boats of this size I think personal preference is more important, go and climb all over one, does your partner like it ? If it doesnt feel right for you- walk away.

 

[Mike_S]

We trialled a brand new one at EBY 2 years ago, decided it was a very cheaply built boat and looked it so walked away. Lots of exposed sharp edges when going into the cabin and the whole feel of the boat wasn't one of quality. Didn't help that as we got up onto the plane, one of the side screens ripped away from the canvas and smacked the salesdude in the mush, the stitching had torn away completely. This one was fitted with the dismal engine rather than petrol and by christ did you know it, the noise and vibration was appalling.

It handled the moderately rough water quite well but there was a fair bit coming over the front as I recall. It's definitely a lake boat like most US boats but could be used in coastal waters should you want to. We ended up buying a Regal, which has a much better build quality and finish than the Glastron IMHO.

 

[Roadhog]

Which Regal did you buy? Been looking at the 2565 as well when I came across Glastron - what is Sea keeping and stability like on the Regal? They seem to have a better quality reputation...

 

[Mike_S]

IMHO Regal's are just a better boat all round, build quality is way ahead of the Glastron. We were quite set on the Glastron until the trial and if I'm honest it changed our thought process, so we ended up buying a smaller boat as it was our 1st, rather than splashing out on a 'big' boat straight off as we'd planned. Ours is a 2150, one of the reasons we bought it (apart from the fact it was immaculate) is that it can handle light coastal waters without feeling like it's about to fall apart. I'd buy another Regal without a doubt, we've been very impressed with this one and having been round the factory on our last trip to Orlando, you can see where the good reputation comes from.

There's an owners forum if you're interested in one, 98% of the posters are from the US but they seem to use them far more than us so it's often a useful source of info.
http://www.regalownersforum.com

 

[enterprise]

We were very keen to buy a gs249 way back when they were a sensible price with a diesel option, traveled down to London boatshow to take a look.
To be brutally honest we were not impressed, the guy knew nothing about it so it started off on the wrong foot but we were still keen, thats untill we got to look around one.

At the time we had a Bayliner which as you probably know had somewhat of a reputation which we didn't think it deserved but in our honest opinion it was way above the finish of the Glastron.

You would think if you were displaying a new model at the boatshow you would get it right, finish wise, it was just awfull, linnings stuck on with velcro, unfinished edges, unlinned cupboards, bare GRP with sharp edges, screws sheared off or not tightened down, the interior really did look homebuilt.

GRP moulding & gelcote was fine but the finishing off was way off the mark.

I cant comment on how the newer 279 compares or even the full production models of the 249 but in my opinion for the same money I would be looking elsewhere.