Glastron GTD 180 (2018-)

Brief Summary

The Glastron GTD 180 is an entry-level deckboat that’s easy to drive, simple to own and maintain, and designed to make the most of time on the water. The GTD 180 lets her owner bring along up to 10 people with enough seating to keep everyone safe and comfortable. It is affordably priced and we consider it one of the best values in this class on the market.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	18' / 5.48 m
Beam	8' 2.44 m
Dry Weight	2,475 lbs. 1,123 kg
Tested Weight	3,272 lbs. 1,484 kg
Draft	33'' 0.83 m
Deadrise/Transom	18-deg.
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	4' 4'' 1.32
Weight Capacity	2,100 lbs. 953 kg
Person Capacity	10
Fuel Capacity	32 gal. 121 L
Water Capacity	N/A
Total Weight	3,272 lbs. 1,484 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	3.4 sec.
0 to 30	10.8 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	N/A
Load	3 persons, full fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	84 deg., 75 humid.; wind: 5-10 mph; seas: <1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 115-hp Yamaha
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	Not Available

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Overview

The Glastron GTD 180 captures all of this builder’s rich, sportboat heritage in a versatile deckboat design that’s simple to operate and easy to own, and has the onboard space to share the fun with family and friends. A seemingly simple design maximizes seating space, but the versatility comes out with a pedestal table that can change the tone in three distinct onboard areas, then stow out of the way.

A space dedicated to stowing the ubiquitous cooler means boaters can bring along cold drinks and fresh snacks, yet not have to be stepping around the ice chest all day long. All the while, solid performance and a sporty-looking helm puts the owner in the driver’s seat for waterskiing and tow sports.

From a handling point of view, Glastrons are known for having very little bowrise on take-off, and we found that this boat is no exception.

Stern

At the stern of the Glastron GTD 180 are two 2’ (.60 m) long swim platforms flanking the 115-hp Yamaha 4-stroke outboard. The outboard is mounted in a well where its steering gear is easily accessible. The starboard side of the outboard aft corner has a telescoping three-step boarding ladder recessed into the deck. A pylon elevates a watersports tow rope so it can pass over the outboard unobstructed.

To gain access to the boat’s interior from the swim platform, there’s a seat-wide cutout on the starboard side of the transom that allows one to step onto the transom lounge. It’s a 6” step up from the swim platform, the top surface of the cutout is 7” wide, and it’s a 10” step down into the cockpit.

The corner cushion is removable, helping to keep it clean while dirty shoes are boarding, and exposing a nonskid surface for a better grip. The tow pylon in the picture below can act as a handhold, and there’s a grabrail on the starboard covering board, to help ease boarding.

A pedestal table serves the cockpit but can also be moved to the bow. In the cockpit, the lounge creates wraparound seating with padded bolsters that are covered in two-tone upholstery that has custom stitching and contrasting bead-weld detailing.

Beneath those upholstered seat cushions in the cockpit are cubbies for stowing gear, finished with gelcoat inside. The cushions serve as the lids for these lockers.

The cockpit offers some versatility with a gap in the seating on the port side. There’s a receiver base for the pedestal table so it can be moved to that side. A bi-fold step platform eases boarding from a dock, and allows a table to be side mounted on the gunwale. It can drop down to fill the space to be used as a low table between the seats for drinks or snacks, or be covered with a cushion for added seating.

Bow Area

The wraparound seating continues forward from the cockpit along the port side of the Glastron GTD 180. Beneath the seat opposite the helm is a cutout that stows an ice-chest style cooler, and the seat cushion there is hinged to allow access to cold drinks and snacks.

At the bow, we found a gap in the seat cushions, though the seating continues on the starboard side. Here we find another base for the pedestal table, and a pair of beverage holders are set into its top. That surface is finished in nonskid to serve as a step up onto the bow covering boards. The covering boards all around the boat have six additional beverage holders arrayed around the boat.

The boat does not have a dedicated anchor locker in the bow, and we’d like to see one there – even on a price-point sensitive boat. However, in this case we would simply use the storage space under one of the forward seats for ground tackle. An anchor roller is an option.

An in-deck storage compartment is located between the port bench seat and the helm console. With a lid held open and out of the way by a gas-assist strut. The locker is 5’3” (1.60 m) long inside and 11” (.28 m) deep, with the opening measuring 15” (.38 m) wide by 32” (.81 m) long. Inside this locker is dedicated storage for the pedestal table. We like to see ideas like this: Storage for a pedestal table and a spot where the cooler can be out of the way (and out of the direct hot sun).

Helm

The helm console is situated amidships to starboard, and the skipper will always feel like he or she is part of the action on deck. The wrapped wheel is mounted to a tilt base. On the starboard side, the toggle switches for electrical systems are mounted to a panel made of carbon fiber covered with acrylic.

On the helm panel above, the two gauges are a speedometer to port and a tachometer to starboard. The speedometer also has gauges showing the fuel level and outboard trim. The tachometer has a digital LCD display to show selectable information including fuel flow. The gauges are set into cans, a cool effect, and a Glastron signature detail.

The helm seat has a wraparound back and flip-up bolster on its front to allow the helmsman to adjust position, and it also slides. It is finished in two-tone upholstery, and it also swivels to let the skipper join the party once the Glastron GTD 180 arrives at its destination.

The gauges have a recessed area situated between them to hold a smartphone and other small items. The space is fiddled to prevent these items from flying out of the helm dash when the driver executes high speed maneuvers or encounters rough seas. The shelf has audio-input and USB jacks for hooking up the phone to the onboard stereo and keeping devices charged.

The boat comes standard with a Kicker stereo, AM/FM, MP3, and Bluetooth. Four speakers are standard.

Power

The GTD 180 is only available with outboard power. Nine different engines are available: 90-hp, 115-hp, and 150-hp from either Evinrude, Mercury or Yamaha. Glastron is one of the few builders that offers a fairly wide choice of engine brands. Pricing ranges from $7 to $8,000 from the 90-hp models to the 150-hp models, depending on the brand. We tested an engine with the horsepower in the middle – a 115-hp Yamaha.

Performance

The Glastron GTD 180 has a LOA of 18’ (5.48 m) and a beam of 8’ (2.44 m). With an empty weight of 2,475 lbs. (1,123 kg), full fuel, and three people onboard, we had an estimated test weight of 3,272 lbs. (1,484 kg).

With the 115-hp Yamaha outboard powering our test boat, we reached a top speed of 41.5 mph at 6200 rpm. Best economic cruise came in at 4000 rpm and 23.1 mph. It was at that speed that the 4.3 gph fuel burn translated into 5.4 nmpg and a range of 155 miles.

We reached planing speed in 3.4 seconds, accelerated from zero to 20 mph in 7 seconds, and continued running through 30 mph in 10.8 seconds.

Handling

The Glastron GTD 180 hails from a long line of performance sportboats, but she’s still a deckboat. Our test captain found she accelerated quickly and ran with a proper, attitude at speed when properly trimmed. Taking the Glastron GTD 180 through turns at high rpm proved she consistently reacted well to wheel and throttle and leaned inboard predictably. She shed some speed in tight turns, but her prop did not ventilate, and she regained speed quickly as she emerged from turns.

In light of the calm conditions on our test day, our test captain sought out the best rough water available, provided by the wake of our camera boat. Though we worked the waves of the wake at multiple angles, we found the Glastron GTD 180 to react in predictable fashion to the waves, settling back into level running quickly. The reverse chines of the running surface knocked down spray and threw it far to each side. They also provide form stability.

Warranty

Glastron offers a 3-year warranty on most of the boat’s components. The trailer has a 1-year warranty, and the outboard engine warranty depends on the maker’s policy; most offer three years. There is a lifetime warranty on the hull structure and that is transferrable to a second owner.

The boat has a prorated 5-year warranty against osmotic hull blistering. As Glastron uses a barrier coat of vinylester resin, it should not ever have a hull blistering problem.

Pricing

The base price of the Glastron GTD 180 depends on the horsepower and brand of outboard selected, in addition to any options that are selected. The lowest priced package equipped with the Evinrude E-TEC 90 retails for $29,200, and the highest priced model is $38,267 equipped with the Mercury 150 XL FourStroke. All of the rest fall in between.

Options to Consider

• • Bow anchor roller ($180)
• • Bow beach boarding ladder ($433)
• • Carry-on Cooler ($76)
• • Table with mounts ($486)
• • Hydraulic tilt steering ($1,093)
• • Bimini Top ($900)
• • Cockpit Cover ($600)

Observations

The Glastron GTD 180 has a simple design with a few basic features that add to her versatility, making it possible for a wide range of boaters to accomplish their goals for a given day, then switch gears the next day for something else.

When comparing entry-level boats it is important to note that the Glastron GTD 180 comes standard with a color-matched, single-axle trailer equipped with disc brakes. A list of trailer up-grade options are available.