Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Glastron Boat Models (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO Syndicate
Best Glastron Boat Models (Ranked)
Glastron has built fiberglass runabouts and bowriders since 1956, and its catalog spans budget-friendly family day boats, sporty wake-capable performance hulls, and the dual-console fishing-and-cruising crossovers that dominate freshwater lakes across America. This ranking is built for the trailerable family buyer who wants reliable open-water fun without the price of a wakeboat or pontoon, and for the used-boat shopper weighing a 10-year-old Glastron against a fresh model.
We judged the field on build quality, ride and handling, engine reliability, resale value, layout practicality, and real-world ownership cost. Prices below reflect typical 2026-2027 dealer and used-market figures for boats in good condition.
Direct Answer
The best overall Glastron is the GTD 245 dual-console bowrider at roughly $78,000-$92,000 new, which blends a comfortable cruising layout with serious horsepower and the best resale in the lineup. The best value is a clean used Glastron GT 205 bowrider at about $22,000-$32,000, delivering family-friendly seating and a proven sterndrive for a fraction of new-boat money.
Inspect transom soundness and engine hours on any used Glastron before you buy, because neglected sterndrives are the most common and most expensive surprise.
How We Ranked
- Build quality — Glastron's hull lamination, deck hardware, and gelcoat finish vary by era; we weighted boats that hold up structurally over a decade.
- Ride and handling — The brand's SSV (Super Stable Vee) and stepped hulls deliver different rides; we favored hulls that stay dry and planted in chop.
- Powertrain reliability — Volvo Penta and Mercury sterndrive and outboard packages drive long-term cost; proven engines scored higher.
- Resale and demand — Models with strong used-market liquidity protect your money; thin-demand trims were penalized.
- Layout and versatility — Seating count, storage, swim platform, and fishing-vs-cruising flexibility determined practicality scores.
1. 2023-2026 Glastron GTD 245 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The GTD 245 is Glastron's flagship dual-console, a roughly 24-foot, 7-inch hull with an 8-foot, 6-inch beam that walks the line between a wake-capable bowrider and a coastal day cruiser. Power comes from Volvo Penta sterndrives up to 380 horsepower or twin-rigging options on certain builds, pushing the boat into the high-40-mph range while still tracking softly through wakes.
Two forward consoles with a walk-through windshield give it genuine cruising manners, and the wraparound cockpit seats up to 12 people.
What earns it the top spot is balance: it carries a ski locker, a head compartment under the port console, a transom sun pad, and enough freeboard to feel safe on bigger water. Resale is the strongest in the lineup because dual-consoles are in high demand on the used market.
- Price: ~$78,000-$92,000 new
- Pros: Versatile dual-console layout, strong power options, enclosed head, excellent resale
- Cons: Highest price in the range, thirsty at full throttle
Verdict: The most boat Glastron makes and the smartest long-term buy.
2. 2014-2019 Glastron GT 205 💎 BEST VALUE
The GT 205 is the value champion: a 20-foot, 6-inch bowrider on Glastron's SSV hull with a 8-foot, 1-inch beam, typically rigged with a Volvo Penta V6 sterndrive around 200-280 horsepower. Used examples from the mid-2010s in clean condition trade hands at $22,000-$32,000, undercutting comparable Sea Ray and Chaparral runabouts while delivering the same family-day-boat mission.
It seats roughly eight people, carries a swim platform with a telescoping ladder, and offers a surprisingly dry ride for its size thanks to the deep-vee forefoot. Parts and service are easy because the Volvo drivetrain is ubiquitous, and the simple layout means fewer systems to fail.
- Price: ~$22,000-$32,000 used
- Pros: Low entry cost, dry SSV ride, common easy-service drivetrain, good seating
- Cons: Modest storage, base stereo and trim feel dated
Verdict: The most boat per dollar in the Glastron family.
3. 2008-2013 Glastron GT 225
The GT 225 stretches the formula to 22-foot, 4-inches with an 8-foot, 6-inch beam, adding cockpit room and a higher freeboard that makes it more comfortable on choppy lakes. Most carried Volvo Penta or Mercury sterndrives from 260 to 320 horsepower, good for confident pulls and cruising speeds near the mid-40-mph mark.
This generation is a sweet spot on the used market: enough size to handle a full family yet still trailerable behind a half-ton truck. Look for the optional extended swim platform and the snap-in cockpit carpet.
- Price: ~$24,000-$34,000 used
- Pros: Roomy cockpit, capable power, easy to tow, strong family layout
- Cons: Older electronics, gelcoat oxidation common on neglected boats
Verdict: A comfortable mid-size bowrider that ages gracefully when cared for.
4. 2024-2026 Glastron GTS 207
The GTS 207 is the current-generation 20-foot, 7-inch sport bowrider, riding Glastron's refined SSV hull with a beam near 8-feet, 2-inches. It is offered with Mercury and Volvo Penta sterndrives in the 250-300 horsepower band, and the layout modernizes the classic runabout with a flip-up transom lounge and a redesigned helm.
It is the entry point into a new Glastron and the natural step up for buyers who do not want a used boat's question marks. Fit and finish are noticeably tighter than the decade-old GT models, with better upholstery and updated digital gauges.
- Price: ~$48,000-$58,000 new
- Pros: New-boat warranty, modern helm, clean layout, easy trailering
- Cons: Pricier than equivalent used Glastrons, smaller than the GTD
Verdict: The right new boat for first-time owners who value peace of mind.
5. 2010-2014 Glastron GT 185
The GT 185 is the compact, ultra-affordable end of the lineup: an 18-foot, 6-inch bowrider with a 7-foot, 6-inch beam that tows behind almost any midsize SUV. Power was usually a Volvo Penta or Mercury 3.0-liter or V6 sterndrive from 135 to 220 horsepower, plenty for tubing, casual skiing, and lake cruising.
Its light weight makes it economical on fuel and easy to launch solo. The tradeoff is a busier ride in heavy chop, so it is best on smaller lakes and protected water.
- Price: ~$14,000-$22,000 used
- Pros: Cheapest entry, light and frugal, single-vehicle trailering
- Cons: Less stable in chop, tight cockpit for six adults
Verdict: A budget gateway into Glastron ownership for small-water families.
6. 2015-2020 Glastron GTS 245
The GTS 245 is the larger sport bowrider that preceded the dual-console flagship, a 24-foot, 7-inch boat on a deep SSV hull with an 8-foot, 6-inch beam. It carried Volvo Penta sterndrives up to 350 horsepower, giving it real cruising authority and a roomy bow for big groups, with capacity around 12 people.
Used examples deliver near-flagship space at a meaningful discount versus the current GTD. The wide-open bowrider layout favors social cruising over fishing, with deep coaming pads and a generous transom sun lounge.
- Price: ~$42,000-$58,000 used
- Pros: Big-boat space, strong power, social bow layout, lots of storage
- Cons: Heavier to tow, higher fuel burn, no enclosed head on base trims
Verdict: Flagship room and ride without the new-boat sticker.
7. 2007-2011 Glastron MX 185
The MX 185 was Glastron's 18-foot, 6-inch entry-sport model aimed at watersports families, with a 7-foot, 6-inch beam and Volvo Penta or Mercury sterndrives from 190 to 270 horsepower. The MX line emphasized a flatter aft running surface for a stable platform behind the boat, helpful for tubing and beginner skiing.
These are inexpensive, plentiful, and simple to maintain. The bow is smaller than the GT bowriders, so think of it as a fun two-to-six-person watersports boat rather than a cruiser.
- Price: ~$13,000-$20,000 used
- Pros: Cheap watersports fun, stable wake platform, easy service
- Cons: Small bow, dated styling, basic amenities
Verdict: A bargain tow boat for tubing and casual skiing.
8. 2009-2013 Glastron GT 229
The GT 229 is the high-power version of the 22-foot platform, an 22-foot, 9-inch hull tuned for performance with available Volvo Penta and Mercury sterndrives up to 350-375 horsepower. With the big-block option it tops out in the low-to-mid-50-mph range while still seating a full family of up to 12.
Buyers who want the size of a mid-cruiser with a sportier edge gravitate here. The hull's deep vee keeps it composed at speed, and the larger fuel tank extends cruising range on open water.
- Price: ~$26,000-$38,000 used
- Pros: Strong top-end speed, deep-vee composure, big fuel capacity
- Cons: Big-block fuel appetite, premium maintenance on high-output drives
Verdict: The performance pick within the classic Glastron lineup.
9. 2012-2016 Glastron GTS 187
The GTS 187 splits the difference between the 185 and 205, an 18-foot, 7-inch sport bowrider with a roughly 7-foot, 8-inch beam and Volvo Penta or Mercury sterndrives around 200-260 horsepower. It rides Glastron's SSV hull and adds slightly more cockpit room and storage than the smaller 185.
For families on a tighter budget who still want a usable bow and a dry ride, this is a smart middle ground. Resale is steady because the size class is popular and easy to tow.
- Price: ~$18,000-$26,000 used
- Pros: Affordable, dry SSV ride, usable bow, easy trailering
- Cons: Mid-pack storage, base upholstery wears with sun exposure
Verdict: A practical compact bowrider that handles real lake conditions.
10. 2003-2007 Glastron GX 205
The GX 205 is the classic early-2000s bowrider, a 20-foot, 6-inch boat with an 8-foot beam typically powered by Volvo Penta or Mercury V6 and small-block sterndrives from 190 to 260 horsepower. It is the oldest boat on this list, which is exactly why it offers the lowest cost of entry into a real 20-foot Glastron.
Because these are 20-plus years old, condition is everything: a well-kept GX 205 is a tremendous value, while a neglected one becomes a project. Budget for a transom and stringer inspection before purchase.
- Price: ~$9,000-$16,000 used
- Pros: Lowest cost for a 20-footer, simple proven drivetrain, plenty available
- Cons: Age-related transom and floor risks, dated styling and electronics
Verdict: A high-value classic for hands-on buyers who inspect carefully.
How to Choose
What to Look For
- Transom and stringers: Tap the transom and probe the bilge for soft, wet, or punky fiberglass; rot here is the costliest Glastron repair and is common on neglected 10-plus-year-old hulls.
- Sterndrive condition: Check bellows for cracks, gimbal bearing for noise, and gear oil for a milky color that signals water intrusion; ask for engine hours and service records.
- Gelcoat and upholstery: Heavy oxidation, stress cracks at hardware, and sun-rotted vinyl all hint at outdoor storage and deferred care.
- Trailer and survey: Confirm the trailer's bunks, tires, and brakes are sound, and on any boat over about $20,000 pay for a professional marine survey before closing.
FAQ
Are Glastron boats good quality? Glastron builds solid mid-tier fiberglass runabouts that compete directly with Bayliner, Larson, and entry Chaparral and Sea Ray models. They are not luxury boats, but their SSV hulls ride well and the Volvo Penta and Mercury drivetrains are durable when maintained.
Quality varies more by previous-owner care than by model year.
What engines do Glastron boats use? Most Glastrons use Volvo Penta or Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives, ranging from small 3.0-liter four-cylinders on compact models to V6 and V8 packages over 350 horsepower on the larger GT, GTS, and GTD boats. Both drivetrains have wide parts availability and easy dealer service.
Is a used Glastron a good value? Yes, used Glastrons are among the best dollar-per-foot bowriders on the resale market. A clean GT 205 or GT 225 delivers full family-boat capability for well under the price of a comparable Sea Ray, provided the transom, stringers, and sterndrive check out on inspection.
Which Glastron is best for watersports? The MX-series boats and the larger GT and GTS models with higher-horsepower engines are the best for tubing, skiing, and wakeboarding. The MX 185 offers a stable, affordable wake platform, while a GT 225 or GT 229 adds the power and length for stronger, more confident pulls.
Bottom Line
The Glastron GTD 245 is the best overall pick, pairing a versatile dual-console layout with strong power and the best resale in the brand, while the used Glastron GT 205 is the standout value for families who want a proven, easy-to-service bowrider without new-boat money.
Whichever you choose, let a careful transom-and-drivetrain inspection guide the final decision more than the model badge.
Sources
- Boat Trader — Glastron model listings, pricing, and specifications
- Discover Boating — bowrider and dual-console buying guidance
- NADA Guides / J.D. Power — used Glastron valuation ranges
- Volvo Penta — sterndrive engine specifications and service information
- Mercury Marine — MerCruiser sterndrive horsepower and maintenance data
- BoatUS — marine survey and pre-purchase inspection guidance
- Boating Magazine — Glastron model reviews and performance testing
*Keywords: Best Glastron Boat Models (Ranked) — review, reviews, rating, comparison, best of 2027.*