Glastron GT 150 Restoration James Bond Boat

[PortTacker]

The guy who built my motor (he raced Formula 1 tunnels) said the motor wasn't maxed out, and wanted to try a 28" round ear. It's running a 24" cleaver now. He felt 100mph was possible. He was very happy with the handling, once we installed billet motor mounts and I "blueprinted" the step pad (faired it perfectly flat and square.) But to be honest, it scared me a bit.... Above about 70 mph, it had my 'full attention.' ;-) Guess I'm getting old.

[adwjr]

Got any pictures of that pad you made?

[PortTacker]

Planing pad is the flat surface at the bottom of the vee. I supported the boat (had a shop and a forklift to pick up so that was easy,) ground the gel coat off of the rear 3 feet or so, which wasn't perfectly flat and had lots of nicks and a couple minor patches, took a long piece of 1/2" plexi and troweled a layer of thickened epoxy on it, and placed it against the planing pad. Supported it squeezed up tight with a 2x6 and two floor jacks. After it cured, cleaned up the edges (laying underneath sanding - ugh) and it was good to go. Perfectly flat.

[adwjr]

Curious why they never had that flat feature added in the Gts over the years. Any drawbacks to doing it this way?

[PortTacker]

Originally Posted by adwjr

Curious why they never had that flat feature added in the Gts over the years. Any drawbacks to doing it this way?

don't know.
In my opinion, probably depends on how fast the boat was originally ever expected to go. If I remember right those GT Bond boats were only rated for 90 hp. They typically ran 50 mph tops.

I've never seen a fast vee hull that didn't have a planing pad. If you go fast enough, the vee right to the keel doesn't provide enough stability ,and control is ... difficult. Chines very close to the keel might do it, but even then I would think only up to a certain speed. It's not just about supporting the boat with some stability on the aft end of the very bottom (at 75 I only had about 16" of hull touching the water) but you also need to be able to steer! If you could balance a vee on the knife edge and motor, seems like only a sneeze would unsettle it, never mind actually trying to turn.

But I could be way wrong.

Here's a pic for illlustration, no idea who it is but I know it's a Grandsport and I'd guess it's doing about 100 mph.

[Commuter Boats]

I've got a late 50s G3 that needs hardware and cosmetics, the transom ,deck, and stringers are all good, I just need to find some time to clean it up and paint it. I think a modern light 60 horse would make a fun little boat out of it.
The original power was probably a V4 OMC of 45-65 hp.
I don't think those boats of the 50s & 60s were ever intended to run in the high 60s and above speeds.

[adwjr]

I dont think so either. My uncle had a G3 did about 48mph. They were small boats and handled poorly.

The GT 150 will handle the speed much better but it is also a small boat and not designed to go over 50 really. But I hope to make some "Q" modifications that should help it when full out. Muhhmuhhhmuhahahhaahahahaa!!

[adwjr]

Fiber Classics Boats - Buy a "NEW" GT150 today!
Well I got to admit I love restoring an old boat and bringing it back to new but there are some downsides. Lots of $$$$ spent, lots of work, lots of time and lots of luck in finding the perfect boat. Also a full restoration is not for everyone.

But... I've just been introduced to Fiber Classics Boats they are a manufacturer of boats and watercraft right here in Massachusetts remaking some of the best of the older runabouts at very very reasonable prices. Currently they are making the GT150 with custom options and colors and have plans to make the classic G3 in a jet drive version, very very cool!

If anyone wants one of these boats in perfect condition without having to spend the time, effort, and money to restore one you have got to check these guys out!

Mario is the owner and their facilities are below: Tell him Alan from "Shaken Not Stirred" sent you for a sweet deal they have GT's ready to go now for the spring.

Middlesex PowerSports Center & Marina
3 Middlesex Road - Tyngsboro, Massachusetts 01879
(978) 251-3774 - e-mail: contactus@middlesexpowersports.com
website: www.MiddlesexPowerSports.com

Starting price is only $2,500 for a new boat! A bit more with custom options and engine choices.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0vus2w6f7P...ic+Boat+GT.jpg

[adwjr]

Found a 1973 Evinrude Starflight 135hp for the project finally! Now I need a power Trim that will work for that year ANYONE have one?