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By
DAVID LOCKWOOD
21 May 2007
Glastron is your consummate American high-volume manufacturer of factory
rolled bowriders in the popular 18-22 feet range with inboard petrol
power. The company has a number of price points from the basic MX to the
GT and GXL series. A boat for every American… and most Australians.
Nothing wrong with that, only I have been
disappointed in the past when those entry-level MX boats, which
sell for under US$10,000 drive- away, end-up nudging $30,000 here.
And yet they remain very basic boats with a machine-rolled finish.
Not so the Glastron GXL 205. Pitched as a
top-shelf bowrider, this 20-footer has the kind of attention to
detail, fit out and considerate design that you wouldn't
ordinarily associate with a mass-produced, boat manufacturer.
The optional stainless-steel upgrade kit for the
deck gear was welcome, there were cool docking lights, bow and
stern filler cushions and a full canvas kit that took the boat to
the next level. The extended - much welcomed - boarding platform
added to the waterfront real estate and a transom sterndrive
trailer trim switch and stereo remote made live easier at the back
of the boat.
So think of this of this GXL 205 as a Ghia or
Calais. Guests are bound to be impressed and, on the amenities
front, there's plenty to take care of just everyone’s idea of
pleasure boating. At $65,000 boat you pay for it, but the boat
delivers.
Considered one of Genmar's, the giant
multinational American marine company's, most efficient badges,
Glastron was among the first boatbuilders in the world to
introduce closed-moulded manufacturing. The so-called VEC process
leads to what are essentially two-piece
boats, with liquid foam squirted in between the
hull and deck for rigidity, floatation and, as a bonus, sound
deadening. Glastron backs its VEC hulls with lifetime limited
structural warranties.
Arriving on an American dual-axle Ezy Loader
drive-on trailer with manual override brakes and a spare tyre, the
GXL 205 has a 2.44m beam that therefore doesn't require a
wide-load towing permit. All-up towing weight is about 1900kg,
well within the capabilities of the V6 sedan or mid-range 4WD.
The boat comes with a four-speaker CD/radio and
you can dial-up your iPod playlist before taking a dip — popup
aft cleats and a walk through transom. Cleverly, the centre
upholstered cushion that creates a continuous rear lounge folds up
and out of the way so kiddies don’t destroying the premium
upholstery.
The two exterior aft moulded wet storage wells are
a clever addition, providing somewhere to store the togs, wetsuit,
mask and snorkel, or even create a temporary icebox.
Inside the cockpit itself, the rear lounge is a
U-shaped number than can seat four around the aftermarket
dealer-fitted table. Add the (optional) stern cushion and you get
a giant rear sunpad. Nearby is a portable 36-can Igloo esky, six
drink holders were dotted about the decks, and I noted cockpit
courtesy lights and plush clip-in carpet.
All the hatches lift on gas struts, there are
stainless-steel grab rails, and while the seating layout is
generous, because it's a walkthrough design, the cockpit remains
uncluttered. All up, you can carry six adults and a total load of
669kg.
Storage exists in a big sub-floor lined ski and
wakeboarding locker - without a gas strut - and in the bow in
various lined lockers. There's a glovebox, albeit not lockable,
ahead of the co-pilot, plus the boat has a dedicated anchor well
with clips to store a plough anchor (though limit room for rope).
The seating in the bow is big enough to
accommodate two adults with legs outstretched. More drinkholders
and stainless-steel grabs, too. And with the infill you have a
second sunpad.
The twin helms seats, with flip-up bolsters,
built-in suspension, rotomoulded seat bases, and Springfield
mechanisms were fittingly comfortable. Though there's no timber in
the boat, there's faux walnut on the dash. But give me carbon
fibre any day.
It wasn't until 2500rpm that the boat cruised
level and efficiently, running at 20.7 knots or perfect
wakeboarding speed. Cruise of mid-20 knots was clocked at 3000rpm
where the small-block V8 sounded throaty.
High-speed cruise came in at 37.5 knots at
4000rpm, but at 4500rpm and 41.5 knots the MerCruiser was sounding
a tad harsh. Top speed was a dashing 46.5 knots, thus, the boat
reaches the 50mph bowrider benchmark.
One of Glastron's newest boats, the 2007 GXL 205
proves that you can build boats fast, in great numbers, using
robots and automated assembly lines, and build them well. The GXL
costs a premium compared with many entry-level bowriders but it
delivers. And, in the long run, the improved finish should survive
the passage of time and save you money.
lockwood@intercoast.com.au
AT-A-GLANCE
Glastron GXL 205
Price as tested: $65,000 w/ 5.0L MerCruiser MPI, dual-axle braked
trailer, regos and safety gear and options including engine
upgrade, transom stereo remote, extended boarding platform, bow
and stern seating infills, docking lights, canvas package and
dealer-fitted table.
Priced from About $60,000 w/5.0L MerCruiser 220hp and as basic
package
Length Overall: 6.07m plus extended swim platform
Beam: 2.44m
Weight: Around 1475kg (base motor and dry), plus about 500kg for
trailer.
Berths: Camp on deck
Fuel Capacity: 132L
Engine: MerCruiser 260hp 5.0L MPI V8 petrol four-stroke inboard
See: www.glastron.com, www.glastron.com/international/dealer.html
for local dealers
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Marque Publishing Company
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