Glastron's GT 205 Ski & Fish
By Captain Keith Burton
With high gasoline prices taking a bite out of most family’s recreational dollar, getting a good value in a boat has become a higher priority. Value seems to mean something special at Glastron, as evidenced by its new GT 205 Ski & Fish. This boat is packed with features that should please everyone in the family, from the die-hard fisherman to the avid wakeboarder.
The GT 205 Ski & Fish is the latest in this line of high-performance, mid-priced boats from Glastron. The GT 205 is the largest Ski & Fish version that the company makes. Introduced just this year, the GT line is already a very popular for the 52-year-old boatmaker.
Conversion Takes Minutes
Converting this boat from a ski boat to a dedicated fishing platform is simple—and you don’t have to go back to the dock. Just flip over a few seats, remove the stern sun pad, and relocate two of the aft seats, which also serve as fishing pedestal seats. The result: a boat with a bow and stern fishing platform. And with a fishfinder and trolling motor—complete with foot controls and rear engine controls—you’re more than ready to fish.
What we also like is how sharp it looks on the water. Glastron has done well to add a lot of style to the hull, while at the same time delivering a boat that performs well. The Volvo-Penta 5-liter 220-hp sterndrive pushed our test boat to a swift 53 mph. If you want even more speed, this boat can handle up to a 270 horses.
Complete Package
The Glastron GT 205 Ski & Fish comes pretty much complete. You get a mount and electrical connections for a trolling motor at the bow. There is a built-in aerated livewell at the stern as well as a cool built-in tackle box. There are also nicely designed racks for your fishing rods along the gunwales. Of course, you get plenty of storage belowdeck, at the bow, and under the stern seats.
The bow and stern fishing platforms are fully carpeted. At the bow, the seats flip over to reveal either carpet or a cushion. A floor section that can be stored inside the engine compartment covers the footwell to make the bow section all floor. There is also storage space in the engine compartment for the stern sunpad.
Looking Good
What we really like about this boat is how it looks. Its smooth lines really catch your eye. The builder should be commended for making it so easy to convert this boat from a ski to a fish boat. We also like that you can choose which section of the boat—bow or stern—to convert. So if you have someone who wants to ski for a bit, and another who wants to fish, both worlds of boating are available.
