Glastron boats
Glastron is an American boat builder known for affordable recreational bowriders and runabouts, with 7047 hulls registered in the US fleet. Most used Glastron boats on the market are from the mid 2000s (2004, 2008, 2003, 2005), with a median length of 18.6 feet and gas power. These boats suit weekend boaters and families looking for an affordable runabout for towing and day cruising.
Glastron used price range
From 1,718 live listings in BoatVerdict's market data (10th, 50th, 90th percentile).
See Glastron values by model year →Are Glastron boats reliable?
Glastron hulls have 10 USCG recalls on record across the 7047 registered boats, a moderate safety history for a volume builder. Reliability on a used Glastron depends heavily on how well the previous owner maintained the gelcoat, deck core, and sterndrive or outboard, since most examples are now 15 to 20 years old. Expect typical fiberglass runabout ownership costs: gelcoat work, transom or deck repairs if moisture has intruded, and outdrive or lower unit service.
Common problems to inspect on a used Glastron
- Transom rot or soft spots from outdrive stress or water intrusion
- Deck soft spots around hatches, cleats, or high traffic areas
- Gelcoat crazing, oxidation, or spider cracks from UV and age
- Sterndrive bellows, gimbal bearing, or shift cable wear
Glastron used-boat buyer's guide
What Glastron is on the used market
Glastron is a budget-to-mid fiberglass runabout brand with a long history (the 1970s James Bond jump boat) and 7,000 hulls in our sample. Modern used Glastrons — GT, GTS, and GXL bowriders — compete directly with Bayliner on price while offering somewhat sportier styling; the brand has shared corporate ownership with Four Winns through several eras, including the current Beneteau group.
Known issues to inspect
Entry-segment fundamentals apply: moisture in transom and stringers on older hulls, upholstery and cockpit sole condition (the fastest-aging items at this price point), and full sterndrive service history — many Glastrons led trailer lives with irregular maintenance, and freeze-damage history is the expensive surprise to rule out.
The SSV hull design runs efficiently with modest power, which means many examples are minimally powered; sea-trial for adequate performance with your typical load rather than assuming the spec-sheet top speed.
Resale and value character
Glastron resells as a price-segment boat: no brand premium, deep comp pools, and most depreciation already absorbed by year ten. As with Bayliner, the play is buying the best-maintained hull in the price band — at this end of the market, a documented boat at a fair price beats a cheap boat with question marks every time.
Written by a BoatVerdict analyst · Updated 2026-06-11
Registry footprint
Sample = US state open-data vessel registries (currently Texas + New York, ~875k vessels). Treat as a representative slice of recreational US inventory.
Recalls (10)
- ⚠ Recall
820064T6/16/1982SEAT CAME LOOSE
What this means before you buy → - ⚠ Recall
050027T5/23/2005FUEL SYSTEM
What this means before you buy → - ⚠ Recall
030063T5/23/2003SEAT BASE
What this means before you buy → - ⚠ Recall
010093S4/25/2001BASIC FLOTATION
What this means before you buy → - ⚠ Recall
980055T4/10/1998ELECTRICAL AC GROUND; SHOCK HAZARD
What this means before you buy → - ⚠ Recall
800072S3/3/1980CERTIFICATION LABEL
What this means before you buy → - ⚠ Recall
010180T11/19/2001SEAT BASE NOT SECURE
What this means before you buy → - ⚠ Recall
960111S11/18/1996LEVEL FLOTATION
What this means before you buy → - ⚠ Recall
950192T11/1/1995FUEL FILL FITTING CRACKS; FUEL FILL FITTING CRACKS
What this means before you buy → - ⚠ Recall
800112T10/10/1982FUEL FITTING
What this means before you buy →
USCG MIC entries (4)
Frequently asked questions
Are Glastron boats reliable?
Glastron boats are reliable when maintained, but many used examples are 15 to 20 years old and require typical fiberglass runabout upkeep like gelcoat care, deck inspection, and outdrive service. The brand has 10 USCG recalls on record across 7047 registered hulls.
What is the resale value of a Glastron?
Used Glastron boats currently list from $3750 to $12500, with a median asking price of $7250 based on 459 live listings. Values depend on model year, length, condition, and power.
What size are most used Glastron boats?
The median length of registered Glastron hulls is 18.6 feet, making most used models small to mid size runabouts suited for towing, day cruising, and family outings.
What should I inspect on a used Glastron?
Inspect the transom and deck for soft spots or rot, check gelcoat for crazing or delamination, and survey the sterndrive or outboard for corrosion, bellows condition, and smooth operation. A compression test and sea trial are essential.
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