A Cruiser For the Rest of Us

By Captain Keith Burton

OK, I have to admit that I like big boats. They are roomy, comfortable, usually available with a nice cabin for overnighting, and maybe even air conditioned. But man, are they expensive. Well, Glastron, which makes some big cruisers too, has heard from the rest of us. Brand new from the venerable 52-year-old boatbuilder is the GT 249. Here’s a 24-foot cruiser that falls into the mid-price range that really shows off the company’s skill at boatbuilding.

Packed to the Gills

The GT 249 impresses with its features and style, especially in a boat that is only 24 feet in length. A full, standup cabin with both a forward V-berth and an underfloor sleeping area are somehow made to fit, just like in some of the bigger cruisers available. A full galley with a stove, microwave, refrigerator and sink, plus a full standup head, complete with a shower and sink, are available.

The galley is also nicely finished, with attractive mahogany laminate with an easy-to-clean gloss surface. To port is a master electric panel; circuit breakers are labeled by function. You’ll need some instruction to learn how to operate the boat’s systems (shore power and onboard genset are available), but overall this is a pretty simple boat to run.

We really liked the brightly lit and well-designed cabin. A removable dining table and well- placed auxiliary lights provide a comfortable atmosphere. Despite its array of creature comforts below, the cabin still felt spacious—almost like we were on a larger boat.

On Deck

Our test boat was equipped with the optional air conditioning. The GT 249 also features a nice wrap-around seating area on the port side on the main deck, a comfortable bolstered captain’s seat to starboard, and full instrumentation, including an electric windlass and a remote-controlled spotlight mounted on the bow rail.

Getting to the forward cabin takes you down some steep steps, but the access is typical for such boats. Snaps hold the bi-folding companionway door open. It is a simple design, but it worked well during our test. To get to the bow, there are steps on the port side of the dash that lead through an opening in the windshield.

Performance

Our test boat had the smallest engine choice, the standard 5.0 liter Volvo Penta with 220 hp. This engine proved adequate for the boat with a top speed of 42.4 mph, but acceleration was a bit sluggish. Zero to 30 was a leisurely 10.4 seconds. We recommend more horsepower. You can order up a lot more power, up to 320 horsepower.

Power steering takes all the work out of handling the helm. The boat handles well at both slow and high speeds. Turns are direct and well-controlled, but there is a lot of leaning as this is a tall boat with high freeboard.. Once you get used to the lean in sharp turns, you get a lot of confidence in driving this boat. Visibility from the helm is also good.

At the stern are a wide ski platform and a door to get onboard. A freshwater port for taking a quick shower is on hand as well as a fold-up stainless steel ladder.

Engine access is easy. Just lift the aft seat, which is supported on hydraulic struts, turn two locking latches, and lift up the deck. Work-around room for checking key engine maintenance items is good. While there is room to move around the engine, it remains, like many engine compartments, a bit tight for some other servicing.

Bottom Line

The Glastron GT 249 impresses with its amazing room for a 24-foot boat, smooth ride, and upscale features. It is also a boat that can be towed with relative ease with a large SUV or pickup.

• Top speed for the Glastron GT 249 (2008-) is 42.4 mph (68.2 kph), burning 20.9 gallons per hour (gph) or 79.11 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Glastron GT 249 (2008-) is 24.7 mph (39.8 kph), and the boat gets 2.89 miles per gallon (mpg) or 1.23 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 146 miles (234.96 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 220-hp Volvo Penta 5.0GL.