Beamy Bowrider Has It All

Glastron Adds to Their Popular GT Line of Bowriders

By Captain Keith Burton

Glastron is noted in the boating world for building quality products with high styling and excellent engineering. The company developed a mid-priced segment of bowriders that takes advantage of their expertise—the GT line. Company officials say the GT boats have become one of their top-selling lines—and that’s impressive considering that the GT line was introduced just this year. The newest addition is the GT 225.

Sized Just Right

There is something to be said about size, even among bowriders. While the new Glastron GT is not the largest bowrider you can find, this vessel, at nearly 22 feet, seems just right for many boat owners looking for an affordable, easy-to-trailer boat.

Looking at the boat from a distance, its sleek lines make it seem smaller than it is. But once you board the 225, it’s clear that this is a roomy boat. A bow seating area where even six-footers will find comfort is a great reason to buy the boat. The walkways are wide, and the seating is plentiful.

All through the boat you find details that are interesting, and add to a premium feel. A full fiberglass deck, elegant stitching in the seats, which includes a cool-looking GT logo, and optional chrome-covered speaker grills count toward the WOW factors with this boat. Overall, the GT series from Glastron is similar to the type of boat people have come to love from Glastron in its 52-year history.

Transom Walk-Through

One of the design elements that has gained popularity in the bowrider market is the walk-through transom. On the GT, Glastron came up with an innovative way to provide a walk-through without compromising aft seating or the full-width sunlounge at the stern.

The sunlounge center section opens to provide a transom boarding area with a non-skid surface. The rear wrap-around seat opens in the center to provide a step from the transom.

We like the stainless steel fittings and cupholders used throughout this boat. Snap-in carpeting is available, and the helm is nicely designed and its instruments are easy to see. The driver will also like the tilt steering wheel.

Grab Rails Galore

Passengers also get plenty of grab rails placed strategically around the interior. Skiers and swimmers will like the extended swim platform. Our test boat came equipped with a comfortable wrap-around captain’s chair with a flip-up bolster so you can drive while standing.

Tunes are provided via a Clarion marine AM/FM/CD radio. Satellite radio service is available.

A wealth of options are available to spice up your Glastron GT 225. But if you want a lot of the goodies, then check out the XL Package. It gives you the snap-in carpeting, flip-up seats, chrome speaker covers, stainless steel drink holders, and a stainless steel rubrail.

Plenty Fast

On the water, the Glastron GT 225 looks terrific. It’s fun to drive, too. The power steering makes this boat easy to maneuver at any speed. Equipped with a Volvo-Penta GXi 270-hp stern drive, we saw a top speed of 52.3 mph, which is plenty fast for a boat like this. It also jumps to plane and would make a great boat for skiing or wakeboarding. There is plenty of room for storage onboard.

Handling was excellent, and the boat is surprisingly smooth in choppy water. What was also unexpected was the low cruising sound levels. Glastron’s stoutly constructed hull doesn’t transmit engine and wave slap sounds as much as some other boats do.

Best of all is the price. The GT 225 features the extended swim platform at no additional cost, and the boat, with a stern drive and trailer, can be purchased for under $30,000.

Speeds measured with Stalker ProSports radar gun. Fuel consumption (gallons per hour) measured with Floscan digital fuel-flow meter on gas inboards, sterndrives, and outboards, TechMate electronic scan tool on gas EFI inboards, Caterpillar digital fuel-flow meter on diesel engines, or permanently installed fuel-monitoring equipment. Range is based on 90% of published fuel capacity. Sound levels determined using Radio Shack digital decibel meter on A scale. 68 dBA is the level of normal conversation.

Performance Chart

Test Conditions