2016 Glastron GT 205 Boat Review

The Glastron brand has worked to build a reputation synonymous with style and quality while maintaining a reasonable pricepoint even with a trailer. The Glastron GT205 is a stylish boat that lives up to that standing.

Sitting dockside or at rest in the open water, the GT 205 looks as though it’s in motion with its aggressive lines, distinct windshield and bold two-tone graphics. The design is reminiscent of the earlier Carlson years with the retro racing stripes on the upholstery.

The interior is edgy, and boldly executed. Twin fully adjustable bucket seats with optional bolsters ensure comfort up front. The helm is unique with its hooded instruments and the push-pull switches have a great look too. The locker of the companion helm hides the marine stereo, auxiliary input and 12V power supply.

The aft bench seat can handle three comfortably. The port side base cushion slides back revealing a draining locker and cooler space. The centre lifts off to access storage. The portside cushion slides out, creating an extended lounge area “ a cool feature. A small section of the port side sunpad folds over to create a walk-through to the swim platform. Dropping the support legcreates a backrest for sunning.

The bow seating is ideal for lounging facing forward, while a backrest pad in the bow provides comfort for seating facing back. With a maximum capacity of nine, you will need the room. Storage is found in the molded bases and the forward locker can handle an anchor and rode.

Lifting the sunpad reveals an all-new 250 hp version of the MerCruiser 4.5 LV-6 engine. Mercury’s in-house engineered and manufactured purpose-built marine engine launched in 2015. On the water, the new 4.5 L, one of multiple power options from Mercury and Volvo, performed quite well.

The Glastron’sSuper Stable Vee (SSV) hull planed in four-point-five seconds and topped out at 50 miles per hour. With 21 degrees of deadrise, the ride was smooth, dry and the handling was sharp. The hull also created ample lift since I was able to maintain a minimum planing speed of 17.5 mph.

Test Boat Engine
MerCruiser 4.5 L ECT, 250 hp two-valve per cylinder V6 MPI Alpha One drive
ACCELERATION (mph/sec)
0-20 / 6.4; 0-30 / 7.7
TOP SPEED (rpm/mph)
5,500/ 50.2
CRUISING SPEED (rpm/mph)
3,500 / 28.6

SPECS

Model year: 2016

Make: Glastron

Model: GT 205

Category: Bowrider

Length: 20ft 6in / 6.25 m

Beam: 8ft / 2.44 m

Draft: 2ft 11in / 0.89 m

Pricing Notes: With Trailer

Hull Type: Fiberglass

Engine Type: I/O Sterndrive

Fuel Capacity: 32