Glastron GTD 245

You never forget your first kiss, or first boat, or first love.

And for many boaters, at least one of their first loves was a Glastron.

Since the 1950s, Glastron has been at the forefront of marine design and performance, building fast, sleek, quality boats that turn heads and make hearts skip a beat.

My own first experience with a fast boat was in a little Glastron CVX16 with gold metal-flake paint and what seemed like a 6-foot-tall Mercury outboard hanging off the transom.

On my very first day as a marine mechanic in 1986, I was asked to take that freshly repaired boat for a test drive. I had driven many of my grandfather’s boats growing up, but never something that small and quick.

Nervous about bringing the big Merc to life, I gently nosed the CVX16 out of the marina and into Barnegat Bay. As I slowly cracked open the throttle, that little Glastron suddenly took off like a rocket.

Somewhere around 45 mph, I felt an exhilaration I’d never experienced in a fast car. I “test drove” the boat for nearly an hour and was almost fired when I got back to the dock.
The ride in that Glastron marked the start of a 25-year career in the marine industry and a life-long passion for vessels of all shapes and sizes.

Balance of function and comfort

Today, Glastron still has the sleek lines, power and handling to make anyone’s heart skip a beat. Glastron boats still carry the same reputation for quality, style and performance.
That’s why I jumped at the chance to test run the new Glastron GTD 245 on Lake Cadillac in mid-Michigan.

The fall weather was blustery and cold when I pulled up to the Lake Cadillac waterfront, but the water was calm enough to make a test ride possible, yet bumpy enough to make it fun.
The sleek, black and tan, 24-foot Glastron was waiting at the dock where I got a good look from three sides. Although Glastron calls it a deckboat, it has a sleek, modern profile with a personality that falls somewhere between bowrider and wakeboarding machine.

The boat includes ingenious design features that strike a balance between function and comfort. However, many of those features are not obvious at first glance.

Stepping aboard, the stern sports a wide, extremely functional swim platform with swim ladders available on both angled corners. In the cockpit, there is so much seating that it appears impossible to avoid stepping on the beautiful brown upholstery. However, when boarding from the stern, the starboard edge of the huge aft sunpad lifts to expose a dedicated path into the cockpit. The lifted edge also converts the sunpad into a lounge seat, or lift the entire sunpad to access the engine compartment.

At the helm, the traditional swivel bucket seat has been replaced with a bench big enough for two. The twin bench also converts into bolsters or additional aft-facing seats.
At the port side, Glastron designed a small step into the gunnel to make boarding from the side easier. And, the seat below flips out of the way of sandy feet.

Forward, the bow seating creates a comfortable space with lots of storage. A cooler hides below the forward cushions, as well as just behind the anchor locker and forward boarding ladder. A removable bow table provides serving space for drinks and snacks.

The cockpit floor also hides storage large enough for skis or other general needs. Almost every surface throughout the boat conceals storage or a cooler, or converts to a different configuration.

Even the helm station hides an unexpected surprise; lift the seating just forward of the windshield and an optional, roomy head with porta-potti and sink becomes accessible.

The boat also has USB ports strategically placed and cupholders everywhere. RGB rope lighting makes night trips more interesting, and handrails are always within easy reach.

Fun to drive

At the helm, the GTD 245 has modern Garmin touch screen controls. However, the dash also includes chrome accents and hooded gauges that are reminiscent of the original 1950s and ‘60s Glastron designs.

Although the GTD 245 can be ordered with outboard power, which provides additional cockpit space, the test boat was powered by a 300-hp Volvo Penta sterndrive. As we fired it up, I pulled my jacket tighter in preparation for the chilly ride.

Out on the lake, the boat jumped out of the water with minimal bow rise and a smooth transition to planing speeds. We put the GTD 245 through a series of tight turns, with the boat handling like it was on rails at its 25 mph cruising speed. Wide-open throttle pushed the speedometer to 48 mph.

Partway through the ride, I realized I had let go of my jacket. The big windshield and well-designed hull very effectively kept the wind out of the cockpit; even while running at wide-open throttle, I never felt cold.

The Glastron is beautifully crafted and fun to drive. It’s large enough to handle unexpected weather on the big lake, quick and nimble enough to pull wakeboarders, and includes luxury options that are perfect for a sunset cruise with wine and cheese.

And, as if all of that might not be impressive enough, the boat comes with a matching trailer, and the sport arch flips down so the boat can fit in a standard garage.

The new Glastron GTD 245 may become someone’s first boat or even their first love. But for anyone who gets behind the wheel, it definitely won’t be their last Glastron.