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The Glastron GT 180 is a mid-size bowrider built in moulded fibreglass by Glastron of United States, a builder trading since 1956. On our measurements it works out at roughly 18 ft 0 in (5.49 m) of hull with a beam near 7 ft 9 in (2.37 m), which places it squarely in the trailerable family bowrider class: one vehicle, one trailer, one afternoon of prep, and the boat is in the water. Long-running sport bowriders with aggressive styling at accessible prices.
Layout is classic bowrider and that is the whole point of the boat. Twin lounges run forward of the windscreen with a walk-through to the anchor well, the helm and companion seats sit amidships behind a wrap screen, and a full-width lounge spans the transom for sunbathing and socialising. Around 9 people fit aboard comfortably in sheltered water. Cushions lift out, backrests fold and filler pads convert the cockpit from a conversation pit into one long sun bed in a couple of minutes.
The ride is what most owners talk about first. Deadrise through the forward sections knocks the top off bay chop, the running surface aft keeps the boat stable at rest, and the hull sits level when six people crowd one side to watch a skier. Inside the bay it feels planted and predictable, which is exactly what a family boat needs.
Power is a 110-165 hp four-stroke outboard package, and that suits both the hull and the way these boats are used. Keeping the machinery outside the hull frees up stern storage, simplifies servicing and removes the bellows and gimbal wear items that punish neglected stern drive boats. It also lifts the swim platform clear of the exhaust.
Watersports are well covered. A tow point is standard on almost every boat in this class, and Glastron owners regularly add a pylon or a folding tower for wakeboarding. A healthy outboard package pulls a slalom skier out of the water cleanly and tows children on an inflatable biscuit all day without protest. Skis, ropes and vests live in the under-floor and under-seat lockers so nothing sits underfoot while the boat is loaded.
Fishing is the quiet strength of this hull. Pull the bow cushions and the forward lounge becomes an open casting platform with clear access all the way around the bow, and the rear lounge lifts out to open up the transom and side gunwales. Ten minutes of work turns the family boat into a genuinely capable fishing boat, and ten minutes the other way turns it back again before anyone gets home.
Build and finish sit where you would expect for a entry level boat from United States. Glastron has been building sport bowriders for seventy years and has one of the largest installed bases of any brand, which makes it a favourite of budget-conscious buyers. The GT and GTS ranges deliver sport-boat looks and the proven SSV hull at prices close to the value end of the market, and the styling has aged better than most — a fifteen-year-old GT still looks modern beside newer boats on the ramp. The SSV (Super Stable Vee) hull is designed for stability at rest and predictable handling under power rather than outright speed, which is exactly right for a family boat that spends half its day anchored. Interiors are functional rather than lavish: moulded liners, hard-wearing vinyl and sensible storage. Because so many were sold across North America and Europe, used Glastrons are among the cheapest ways into a fibreglass bowrider that does not look dated, and parts for the common Mercury and Volvo Penta packages are simple to find anywhere.
Options worth having on the GT 180 are the practical ones: a bimini for shade, a decent bow and cockpit cover so the upholstery survives being stored outside, an upgraded sounder if you fish, and a stereo package that can be heard over the engine. On fibreglass, a ceramic coat or a good polish once a season keeps the gelcoat looking new and protects resale.
As a used buy, check the same things you would on any bowrider in this size band: transom firmness, stringer and floor soundness, hours and service history on the engine, steering and trim function, and the state of the upholstery seams, which are the first thing to fail on a boat that lives uncovered. At this end of the market condition matters far more than model year — a well-kept older boat beats a neglected newer one every time.
Our price guide for the GT 180 is US$34,000 - US$45,000 new, which moves with engine choice, trailer, tower and how recently the boat was refreshed. Judged as a whole, it does what people buy a bowrider for: cruise, tow, swim, fish and entertain in one boat, without asking the family to compromise on any of them. Glastron has been refining that formula since 1956, and the GT 180 is a straightforward, well-judged expression of it.
The world's best selling bowrider size, Light, simple and easy to tow.
US$38,000 - US$52,000 new
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US$72,000 - US$95,000 new
A premium 25-foot bowrider renowned for its deep seating, convertible lounges, refined ride and exceptional finish.
US$155,000 - US$210,000 new
Featured Boat of the Week
This week we are putting the Bayliner Bayliner DX2000 in the spotlight, and it earns the spot. At 20 ft 2 in (6.16 m) long on a 8 ft (2.44 m) beam, this is a bowrider that reads the water well and still feels roomy enough for a full day out. A 20-foot deck-boat-width bowrider with outboard power and a huge social cockpit. Power comes from 115-150 hp mercury fourstroke outboard through a outboard package, and the fibreglass hull keeps the ride settled when the afternoon breeze puts a chop on the surface.
Seating is rated for 8 people, so there is space for family, friends, towels, eskies and the tow rope without anyone climbing over gear. Owners tend to buy it for family, water ski, leisure — which is exactly where it shines. Fuel is 30 us gal (114 l), and on the second-hand and new market you should expect to land somewhere around US$42,000 - US$58,000 new depending on hours, trailer and options.
Our full deep dive covers the layout in detail: bow lounge comfort, helm ergonomics, the rear entertaining area, storage that actually swallows a weekend, plus standard features, popular options and honest notes on where the boat compromises. If the Bayliner DX2000 is on your shortlist, start there — and check back next week, because the featured boat changes every week as we complete more full model reviews.
Featured Bowrider Article
Buying Advice
Capacity is the question every family asks first, and brochures answer it optimistically. There is a legal number, a physical number and a comfortable number, and they are rarely the same. Here is how to work out how many people your bowrider really carries. As a rough guide, a 4.8-5.2 m bowrider is rated for four to six people, a 5.5-6.0 m boat for six to eight, a 6.4-7.0 m boat for eight to ten, and a 7.6 m-plus bowrider for ten to twelve. Beam matters as much as length: a wide 6 m hull can seat more comfortably than a narrow 6.5 m one. Comfortable capacity is usually two people fewer than the rated maximum. A boat rated for eight is pleasant with six adults, cramped with eight, and unpleasant with eight adults plus eskies, boards and towels. Most bowriders carry a builder's plate stating maximum persons, maximum load in kilograms or pounds, and maximum engine power. The persons figure is calculated using an assumed average weight per person, which is often lower than real adult weights. The load figure is the one that matters. It covers people, fuel, gear and any accessories, so a full tank of fuel and a loaded esky reduce…
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