Author Topic: Help! Glastron ID (Read 20685 times)

Bex · « **on:** March 28, 2012, 05:37:00 PM »

Hello,
My husband and I are boat shopping. I told him I'd love a boat just like the one my family had when I was a kid. We had a Glastron...it was in the 80's. The bone of contention is that I keep telling my husband...our boat had an open bow you hopped up into. The window swung open and shut and you could go up into the front of the boat. You could sit on a bench on either side on the bow. AND it had a cuddy cabin. You went in through a little door, and there was a berth on either side of the area where the "feet spot" came down into the cabin, from the bow. I seem to recall pushing the cooler in underneath the feet area, and there being room for a little bucket potty where you stepped down in.

We have three teens and I would love a boat like that one. A place to put their jackets and sunscreen etc. so it isn't sliding around in the boat. I couldn't say how big this boat was, but we towed it with a re-built vintage 67 Buick Riviera. It had dark olive green seats and matching Glastron "swish" on the outside. The engine was in the boat, and you could sit on the "box" it lived in. I can't imagine it was much bigger than 20ft.

It was the most awesome boat to have on Canandaigua Lake in NY!!! Can anyone help me identify it? I have Googled myself into a corner. I keep swearing to my husband that I'm not insane, we really had the little cabins and the open bow. Best boat ever.
Thanks,
Bex

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2012, 05:41:23 PM »

The 1970 V214 Vagabond comes to mind based on your description and avocado color. Look familiar? This model was built from 1968 thru 1973.

Hyperacme · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2012, 05:54:06 PM »

MAN !
Your good Rich !

Bex
Might not be an easy boat to find ....

Bex · « **Reply #3 on:** April 02, 2012, 08:16:32 PM »

WOW!!! That is IT! (o: You guys are AMAZING!!! How did you do that??? I can't wait to show my husband and kids! I wish I COULD find it. It was such a great combination. We could change out of wet clothes in there, store stuff, but had the open bow too. It was a great design.

dorelse · « **Reply #4 on:** April 02, 2012, 08:58:47 PM »

That is a cool boat!

V153 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 02, 2012, 09:09:29 PM »

One of the reasons I like early Glastrons so much is cuz they tried to throw every 'futuristic' thing they could at ya. Well Bob Hammond was an aerospace engineer experienced in fiberglass?

That's a particularly bizarre model btw. I'm seein' a bunch of 'problem areas' but what do I know. Cool boat!

edit. The ad is classic too. Stuff and people crammed, strategically, into the frame. But not really interacting. For example the bikini chick is apparently handing the diver dude a flashlight. Why. It's broad daylight, plus the guy's "diving" right next to the dock?!

Hyperacme · « **Reply #6 on:** April 02, 2012, 09:13:02 PM »

Looks like the ultimate family boat ...
It's got everything !

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2012, 09:20:17 PM »

The V214 is going to be a very difficult boat to find and if you do locate one it will probably need a restoration and engine/drive-train retrofit. I think in the several years that I've been on the Glastron forums I might have seen just one. A better option might be to get a mid 70's V215 Vagabond Camper-Cruiser. There have been a number of them for sale recently. They have a roomier cuddy and there's still room to sit up on the bow.

dorelse · « **Reply #8 on:** April 02, 2012, 09:25:42 PM »

I honestly think there was one for sale here last summer...but its was a total restore. I thought it was a closed bow so didn't look at it...but it did have a bow pads, and the fold out rear step.

Jason · « **Reply #9 on:** April 02, 2012, 09:47:04 PM »

I have seen one in person or for sale. The closest is the V212 at the meet a few years ago. But that's still not even that close.

You might be just as happy with a CV23. Much more common...... and faster!
Two Glastron Carlson CV23's

dorelse · « **Reply #10 on:** April 02, 2012, 10:24:25 PM »

There's one in TX:

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/boa/2924230894.html

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #11 on:** April 02, 2012, 10:30:29 PM »

Would you look at that, a rare bird indeed! Looks like it will need a total makeover.

V153 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 02, 2012, 10:49:39 PM »

The only thing that woulda made the V214 wierder woulda been to make it a walk around cuddy ...?

dorelse · « **Reply #13 on:** April 03, 2012, 10:10:23 AM »

What kind of motor is in that boat? Assuming there's an OMC behind it?

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #14 on:** April 03, 2012, 10:20:19 AM »

Looks kinda OMC-ish, maybe a GM 305?

Jason · « **Reply #15 on:** April 03, 2012, 12:24:12 PM »

Deffinetly GM small block. Specs just say up to a 210HP. Could even be an old volvo.

Boat looks to be a 68

dorelse · « **Reply #16 on:** April 03, 2012, 12:37:59 PM »

If you look at how its mounted through the transom...its a circle...so assuming that's old Volvo?

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #17 on:** April 03, 2012, 12:45:27 PM »

I don't see an inner transom plate or bolts protruding from around the hole so that leads me to think it's an OMC.

dorelse · « **Reply #18 on:** April 03, 2012, 12:47:09 PM »

Quote from: Rich_V174SS on April 03, 2012, 12:45:27 PM

I don't see an inner transom plate or bolts protruding from around the hole so that leads me to think it's an OMC.

Yeah, that's what I initially thought too...but couldn't remember the cut-out for a Volvo.

No Trim right?

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #19 on:** April 03, 2012, 01:23:17 PM »

Some had a trim system that allowed the whole engine and drive to pivot a few degrees up and down, hence the need for the flexible boot that sealed around the drive.

You can also tell it's an OMC from the control box, that's not a Merc or Volvo control. That's a single cable electric shift unit.