My wife and I are looking to buy our first CC. We have looked at all the boats made in SC and they all seem very similar just with different names. We stumbled across Glasstream made in AL and being sold by a place we really like on Lake Lanier. We are settled in on a 240CC. https://www.glasstream.com/family-center-console/240-cc/ So now we are discussing what are the essentials, wants, and would be nice to have. We want to be able to hit our price point but also meet our needs.
The boat will be used for family skiing, tubing, island hoping, and just cruising. It will be used as part of Cross Trail Outfitters York county youth hunting and fishing ministry. We want to fish trout on Jocassee, Stripes on Murray and Wateree, Cats on Monticello and Wylie, and jetties out to apx 25+ miles out of Charleston and Murrells Inlet.
So if you were me what are things you would absolutely have to have, would want, and would be nice if you can afford it? Thanks everyone
Is it any wonder Jesus choose Fisherman for his disciples?
York SC CTO www.teamcto.org
Hey, Brian. I hope that all is well with you and your family. Long time since I’ve seen y’all. No wood construction. Power with the recommended maximum horse power. Wives and youth appreciate a porta-potty or head in the console. One of my requirements is room for a Ron Vest bait tank forward of the console - yes I am a striper bigot - but most manufacturers are doing the built in cooler or bait tank / seat there. Room and wiring for a rip tide iPilot and batteries - probably a 36 volt for the boat size. Even though boats may look the same, there is a great deal of build quality that you won’t see at a casual glance. Get under things like the console and hatches and look at the finish quality. Make sure that the edges are finished and not just jagged glass waiting to cut you when rigging. The small details say a lot about a builders attention to quality. There is a reason boats like Pioneer and Scout sell at a premium. On the other side of the coin, the fish don’t know if your fishing from a Carolina Skiff or a Yellowfin. Every boat is a compromise in some fashion. Do your homework on researching owner experiences. Google can be your friend. Good luck in your decision. Hope to see you on Lake Murphy soon.
Take care and say hey to your Dad for me, Jim Gibbs
Thanks Jim… I’ve been researching for two years now and I was down to Key West from Marshall’s in Lake City or Sportsman from Lake Wylie Marina close to where we live now. Then I stumbled on Glasstream. To say I was impressed is putting it mildly. The fit and finish is great. The head is built in from the front of the console instead of side giving lots of room. They also took the step hull idea from racing boats and included it. There is zero wood in this boat. The thing flies and does it with a dry ride. There not yet sold in SC but they are sold in Gainesville GA where we go often (4-6 times a year) due to Steph and I both having family nearby.
It can take up to a 250 or down at 150… I really want 200-250. Like you I’m likely to put a Ron Vest in there so that’s important but the tank they have (might) be good enough. They have a owners page on Facebook that’s really good and I ask stuff on there a bunch. The company itself and the guys in Gainesville also are very responsive. One guy is so passionate about them that when I told him I wouldn’t be buying for at least a year he still stayed after work for over 3 hours to just tell me about it. I’ve been in car sales. This guy wasn’t selling but just loved the product and bragging on it. Most sales folks just want to sale what they have with no real passion. You’d have thought this guy was a die hard nascar fan telling you about getting to ride in and under the hood of a car that just won Daytona. Anyhow they are cool boats and priced in the middle of SC made boats.
Any suggestions or n electronics?
I’ll pass word to Chuck you said hey. He’s loving his new place that’s like his paradise in the country area near Sharon, SC and loving being a grandfather. We have a 2 1/2 year old boy Tristan River and one baby on the way.
Is it any wonder Jesus choose Fisherman for his disciples?
York SC CTO www.teamcto.org
Not familiar with Glass stream but with your use description it sounds like this will be a workhorse. Highly recommend spending the money up front to get it built right the first time.
#1, most critical, most essential, most importantest thing you can do when buying a boat.
Shop the dealer first, then shop the boat.
Post sale support…
No boat is perfect right off the bat. Expect to spend a good year getting everything fixed or installed correctly. Post sale support is essential. So important there is no point in buying a boat without it. Some would even say to find the best dealer/service center near you, then pick from the boats they offer.
MAX HP, in this case a 250. Do not go any less than 250. IMHO the Yamaha 250 or maybe the New Mercury 4stroke 250.
Smartcraft gauge if you go Mercury
Trim tabs
VHF radio with 8ft antenna.
Ski-pole for towing skiers and tubes.
36v 72" shaft MinnKota Terrova or Ulterra (both have spotlock, Ulterra is auto deploy/stow)
Hardtop T-Top if at all possible or go with a light color canvas (black gets smokin hot).
Raw water washdown
Aluminum Trailer with Stainless Steel Brakes (Kodiak), this will save you tons of maintenance and fighting brakes constantly.
Electronics - This is highly personal decision but I would want dual 9"+ screens. When hunting bottom you watch the bottom on one screen and GPS on the other. SO much better than split screens. Humminbird graphs can link to the minnkota trolling motor for GPS waypoints and contour lines along with tracks. Solix are very nice but dual Helix 10 MEGA would be minimum (again this is my opinion).
Big on the want list would be dual 8ft power poles. Excellent tool for shallow anchoring or holding the boat at the ramp or sandbar.
Now, for heading 25+ miles out of Charleston . . . that boat has 14 degrees deadrise. And unlike some of the larger boats made by Glasstream, it is not self-bailing. It would need to be a REALLY REALLY nice day to take that boat far offshore. And it has very little room for your electronics. (It does not appear that you could flush mount a good size multi-function display.)
In any case, if you are going to be using that boat and going offshore, you should have a VHF (plus another handheld VHF), a PLB, an anchor with plenty of chain & rode, trim tabs, a second battery (one starting battery, one house battery).
