Brad wrote:
On May 28, 8:33 pm, HK wrote:
Brad wrote:
Hi folks.
I'm chiming in here from MN and I'm about to buy a new boat. I need
advice.
I'm wondering what folks thing about Glastron, Larson, Stingray, and
Bayliner boats.
Any generalized opinions or specific experiences are very helpful.
I am looking at the base models for all four makes. Basically, the
17.5-18" base models with the sunbathe area on the rear and definitely
an inboard, specifically a 3.0 liter 135hp.
Each of these models is available with a Volvo or a MerCruisier
engine. The Volvo comes standard; the MerC is about a $500 upgrade.
If you have any advice on the motor, that would be very helpful.
Also reliability issues, handling, even styling are very helpful.
This is going to be a roughly $15,000 purchase and that's a lot for
me, so if you folks can help out in any way, I'd greatly appreciate
it.
Finally, I don't know of resources available on the Web that might
have logs on how people have posted about their experiences with these
boats. Or even reviews of these models. Google searches on the
topics aren't getting me much. So if you know of message boards in
places that would help me, or other such resources or like resources,
any references would be very helpful.
I really appreciate any time you can take to jot off your response.
Again, I don't have a lot to go on here, except what the salespeople
tell me and I think you can understand that I'd like a little more to
go on!
Thank you again in advance!
Brad.
Qualitatively, you have them ranked properly. If I were you, I'd find a
lot of back issues of Trailerboats Magazine and spend a lot of time
reading about the specific boats you have in mind.

Thanks, HK. I appreciate the feedback. I'm hoping to avoid spending
money on magazines or subscription online services and instead get
opinions from users and owners like yourself. So if you have any
experience with these entry-level boats or know of people who do and
have heard what they said, I'd appreciate any feedback you might
have. Thanks again!



I'm a bit familiar with the Glastron line, as I've been aboard quite a
few over the years, both years ago and more recently. They seem the best
of the lot to me. But you really have to look closely at the specific
models you're interested in. If your primary use is small bodies of
freshwater, you shouldn't have a lot of trouble with any of them.
A word to the wise: that 135 hp I/O won't serve you well if you plan to
load the boat up with family and pull a skier.

If I were in the market for what you have in mind, I'd get the Glastron
or the Larson. I might look at the Stingray. I would not buy a Bayliner.