|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| Reprinted from Power Boating Canada magazine |
|
 |
|
| By Richard Crowder |
|
At press time, the latest marine-industry trade statistics reported Glastron is the eighth largest builder in terms of units sold. In fact, only four other recreational fiberglass boat builders sold more units last year. Perhaps one reason for this success is the company’s ability to identify growing market trends and producing a model to hit the target bang-on.
A perfect example is the GS 219 Sport Cruiser. While she comes in at a length of just 21 feet, six inches, it sports a hefty profile and deep freeboard to provide safe and solid cruising. This very deep-vee hull (21-degree deadrise at the transom) has been a valuable commodity for Glastron. The hull design is not entirely new, but just about everything else is, including the deck, cockpit and interior.
A few seating arrangements are available. The standard package includes SuspensionAire buckets, an aft bench and a sunlounge with a flip up walk-through to the swim platform. Then there’s the galley package featuring the aforementioned seating layout, but the helm bucket is replaced with a fixed seat. The package offers s stainless steel sink, water system and butane stove.
The cabin is one of the roomiest cuddies I have seen in a boat this size. There’s ample headroom, an overhead hatch for ventilation, courtesy lighting and a porta-pottie, A standard AM/FM/CD stereo with Sirius satellite is also included.
Back to cockpit, the helm hosts all the standard instruments in an easily readable format. You’ll even find an hour meter, digital depth sounder and tilt-wheel.
Eight MerCruiser and six Volvo Penta sterndrive power options are available, ranging from a 190 hp V6 to a 300 hp V8. Our test boat was equipped with a 270 hp Volvo Penta 5.0 GXi SX swinging an aluminum 19-inch wheel.
From dead stop, the GS 219 hit plane in six seconds, while wide-open throttle at 5,200 rpm produced a remarkable 51 mph. With two adults and almost a full tank of fuel, it held plane until 2,500 rpm at 20 mph. This would seem to be plenty of power, even with added weight on board.
The handling of the GS 219 is very predictable and stable with no discernible rattles or bangs. The aforementioned deep-vee certainly contributed to the 219’s overall gentleness while maintaining excellent lateral stability. |
|
| for GS 219 photos, specifications, options, etc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
|
| © 2007 Glastron Boats |
|
