Objective criticism

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MickJ

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Not sure if objective rather than subjective negative observations breaks any MBM forum rules, but has anyone seen the Glastron 270 at the Southampton show? I was surprised to see things like thin chipboard used for the ill-fitting and runner-less galley drawers, very flimsy plastic handles, lining material over very noticeable and quite large lumps and bumps throughout the cabin etc, etc.

Why would a manufacturer or dealer allow these things to pass the 'pre-show quality check'. After all, £54,000 is a lot of cash.

Are these boats really designed for prolonged use in British waters? The show boat at least doesn't suggest it...


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We observed the same two or three years ago. I would venture to say that it applies in varying degrees to all the US built boats, where customer expectations and manufacturing volumes are very different to here. Stepping on to a Sealine or Fairline (S28 and T30 in those days) was a huge culture shock, after the Bayliners/Maxums/SeaRays/Glastrons/Chapparals. BMB (Bavaria) would seem to be a middle ground, from the reveiws I've read in MBY...

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.fairlinetarga29.info>Buy my boat!</A>
 
Yes I looked at that boat (it is actually the GS279) and the finish is budget. The price is very cheap IMHO for that size of boat, hull and engine. You could spend £3k or £4k fitting it out nicely which was one of my ideas. If you look there is a dolphin nose, so the LOA is not the hull length, perhaps 1.5ft shorter. Definately put off though and are now looking at Bavaria 29 sport, but at £110k double the price, so you pay your money and take your chance /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>
 
Hi Graham,
I don't think you can class all American boats being built to the same Quality as Glastron, We have an American Rinker, and have to say the build quality is very good, but the finishing quality is Excellent, I am a carpet fitter and upholsterer to trade and have worked in the furniture trade all my life, When we go and look at boats i always look very close at the fixture and fittings.
However i don't think they make thing like they used too, British or American! We have looked at older Fairies and Sealines and they look very nice, But Without treading on anyones toes, i dont think the new Sealines are as well finished(IMHO) as they used to be, And you could poss. say the same about American boats, But we feel the Rinker was better finished off than the likes off the S23.
Nice upholstery is always one thing but its only when you look at things like the units or head linings(not toilet) that you see which is better than others.
I would agree that some British boats are better than most American ones, But there are some very good ones also.

After saying all that, i would love too make you an offer on your boat as that is what i would like to trade up too, But thats not for another few years unfortunatly/forums/images/icons/frown.gif. I do hope its another Targa you are going for?

Cheers

Alistair....



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Blanket comment, I know, and I agree that there are widely differing standards within the US boats. Not entirely surprising, as most of them are from the same stable, so finish and build quality are how they distinguish the marques.

Haven't looked at a new Sealine, so couldn't comment, but my observations are from 3 yrs ago when we looked at trading up from a 23 foot Maxum. The US boats at the time were all very much in the same mould, and used common components etc, and the cabinet work was very cheap MFI/caravan stylee.

Fairline had the edge on Sealine then, but of course the smallest thing Fairline build now is the Targa 34, and that's the thick end of £150k. Missing a huge trick, IMHO. New boaters have to start somewhere, and when the last of the 30 footers have gone, how will people 'get in' to the Fairline range?

Yes, looking for a Targa 39, now, but of course got to sell the 29 first... Go on, you know it makes sense.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.fairlinetarga29.info>Buy my boat!</A>
 
Why do we demand this level of quality for our boats? It is as if anything that isn't graced with umpteen coats of varnish covering acres of solid hardwood isn't worthy of consideration.

Perhaps the Americans are just building practical boats at a price within reach of their customers.

My Bayliner is derided by many in the boating community, but strangely this view isn't held by my non boaty friends. I wonder if perfection is really appropriate in a damp marine environment

geoff


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I posted something similar Monday. I concluded that they show a lousy finished boat so that you cant complain when your lousy finished boat arrives! Re H1 and BMB 29dc.... I thought it was the worst finished boat i saw at the show. The caulking looked like it was done as a practice run, the turn knob for the helm seat is going to cause a major injury if you fall into it, the floor hinges have the knuckle facing upwards just waiting for your toes... Maybe cheap, but looked like British leyland was back in business!

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Good question! I think if you're paying £200 grand for a big floating plastic caravan, you want it to look like something special. But of course, why shouldn't it be more functional and half the price? Which is what the Americans tend to do, at least with the sub-30 footers (I can't comment on larger US boats, as I haven't been on one).

Is it just customer expectations? Would the Bond films feature Sunseekers if they were perceived as floating mobile homes, rather than luxury super yachts? Why does a Lexus cost more than a Toyota, when it's the same company?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.fairlinetarga29.info>Buy my boat!</A>
 
When looking at the 25ft range - the ones that stood out were BMB, Four Winns and Sealine. Was definitley shocked by Glastron on the 27ft - same money but fit and finish were very poor.

Have been informed BMB are bringing out a sport cruiser based on the 25DC. Should be ready for the London Boat Show.

<hr width=100% size=1>How much to fill'er up!
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Certainly US boats in general do not have all the shiny wood and curves of Euro boats, tho' some are going that way. What they do have is better use of space than euros, combined with a lot of "extras" as standard. After 1200 hrs and 9 yrs of use in fresh and salt water, our 37ft Sea Ray has been almost faultless and it still has the space of a 40+ ft euro without all the glitz. Depends whether you want to look good or feel good on the water/forums/images/icons/smile.gif.
As for Glastrons, I think they are lower than whale poo in the scheme of things, at least from a US perspective.

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Err ..... 29 BMB DC 'IS NOT' the 29 BMB Sport /forums/images/icons/wink.gif they are two different boats.

<font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>
 
I think you will find that the older 'Bond' films featured 'Glastrons'

See :-

http://www.classicglastron.com/gl-moonraker.html

<font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Happy1 on 17/09/2003 21:48 (server time).</FONT></P>
 
I must say that I forgot to mention that I looked at the Larson boats on the stand next to Glastron, they come from the same factory, are £4k or so dearer at each size but have a better level of finish. I still believe that both Larson and Glastron are a good entry level boat for that size with the same space and engine as other much more expensive ones and at a budget price. It depends if you want to save £50k and not look at the caulking that could be sorted anyway, or have another £50k less for fuel and marina fee's /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

Same as cars really, except not many different quality levels of cars have the exact same engines in for £50k more /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>
 
The new 29 Sport is out although it was not shown at the show, we were taken to it by BMB and went on, it but it was at the next marina down towards Ocean village. I don't know if it still there but it was on a berth next to the Red funnel ferry.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>
 
I really enjoy my boat, the performance is brilliant, and have had some great times in it, but I guess you are therefore saying 'my' boat is a pile of Whale poo, thanks /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>
 
Can get a Jeanneau Leader 805 for the same price with a KAD43 and all the bits without the crappy finish of the Glastron (IMHO) a much beamier and better boat.

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>
 
OK, get me a new one at that price, £53k, please, as the 805 Leader at the boatshow was £74k with the KAD32

Don't forget the Glastron includes electric windlass, trim tabs, depth guage, transom shower, full canvas's and other bit's all extra on the Leader and other similar boats.

<font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>
 
I looked at Jeanneau 805, liked it very much, But it is very spartan!!! Not much there, You have to buy dials for the dashboard,, It is all very white
(or should i say cream) with fibreglass panels..
What i really did like was it has a door access to the rear quarters..and not a curtain...





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Perhaps the european market looks for a better quality finish due to our need for a decent resale value.I suspect we keep boats a bit longer over here and need them to last somewhat longer.Same with cars in our market vs the colonies./forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Two boats please one here n one in the Med
 
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