Howdy, My parents gave me their '96 GS205 5.7L

[Blackcypress-EB]

Free boat; expensive proposition. My parents gave me their Anniversary GS205. They don't want it anymore and I used to have a blast in this boat. I was the last to take her out (Summer 2004), it was winterized (damn sure hope he remembered to anyway, he says he thinks he did) and hasn't been touched since. It lived in the barn for a couple of years and then got pulled outside where it lived for the last couple of years with no top. The interior is junk. the floor is rotten. I have to decide what level of fixer up this is going to be. I brought the boat down to my place a couple of weeks ago.

After reading some stuff in the resto forum, I definitely fear there is probably going to be a lot more trouble than the deck, carpet, and upholstery. Are the stringers in this boat wood or synthetic? I know Glastron doesn't carry parts or upholstery for anything older than 2002 model boats. Is there a boat ( like the GX205) that could be used as a possible interior donor with slight to moderate modification? I can take apart and trim the upholstery, but I can't make it bigger. By the looks of it, the rear bench is nearly identical. The front seats would work of course, but not sure about the side panels, engine cover, and bow seats. I am prepared to spend around $2K on the interior in the hopes that will cover it. I am probably delusional. I just don't want to put a cheesy homemade looking interior in a boat with the potential this one has.

A hearty thanks to any contributors. I have had a hard time finding good info on this boat.

A little info on me, I am a former Jarhead going to school at Texas A&M on the GI Bill. My wife and I love the water and just want to have fun in this boat without sinking a fortune in it.

 

[ski22]

Re: Howdy, My parents gave me their '96 GS205 5.7L

Don't know if you're still looking for info on your Anniversary Edition Glastron or not, but I own one as well. The boat was so popular in 1996, Glastron actually made a duplicate in 1997 as well, it just didn't have the 40th Anniversary Edition badge on it. There were only 300 made in 1996, but in 1997 because it was I believe a GS195 and GS205, they made many more. The important thing is, the color scheme was exactly the same and unless you know what you're looking for, it's very hard to tell the difference. The interior should be an easy swap if you can find one.

 

[vines08]

Re: Howdy, My parents gave me their '96 GS205 5.7L

Free boat; expensive proposition. My parents gave me their Anniversary GS205. They don't want it anymore and I used to have a blast in this boat. I was the last to take her out (Summer 2004), it was winterized (damn sure hope he remembered to anyway, he says he thinks he did) and hasn't been touched since. It lived in the barn for a couple of years and then got pulled outside where it lived for the last couple of years with no top. The interior is junk. the floor is rotten. I have to decide what level of fixer up this is going to be. I brought the boat down to my place a couple of weeks ago.

After reading some stuff in the resto forum, I definitely fear there is probably going to be a lot more trouble than the deck, carpet, and upholstery. Are the stringers in this boat wood or synthetic? I know Glastron doesn't carry parts or upholstery for anything older than 2002 model boats. Is there a boat ( like the GX205) that could be used as a possible interior donor with slight to moderate modification? I can take apart and trim the upholstery, but I can't make it bigger. By the looks of it, the rear bench is nearly identical. The front seats would work of course, but not sure about the side panels, engine cover, and bow seats. I am prepared to spend around $2K on the interior in the hopes that will cover it. I am probably delusional. I just don't want to put a cheesy homemade looking interior in a boat with the potential this one has.

A hearty thanks to any contributors. I have had a hard time finding good info on this boat.
I
A little info on me, I am a former Jarhead going to school at Texas A&M on the GI Bill. My wife and I love the water and just want to have fun in this boat without sinking a fortune in it.

Don't know if you're still looking/wondering, but I have the same boat. Previous owners left it outside for a couple years. Destroyed the interior and everything basically. I've been redoing it for almost 2 years now. The trailer was easy. Just scuffed it up and rolled a bedliner on it(looks great.)
Also had the floor redone and new carpet and all brand new interior. Went with one captains chair and on the back I had he guy put and L-shaped bench. Looks amazing. Recommended for everyone. Great storage. Only thing I lack as of now is the right window. It had a crack when I purchased the boat. But back on your interior. Mine cost 3500 and I had it totally ripped out when I took it to him. So I have no idea what price range you're looking at, but if your gonna be on it all summer and wanna be proud of it I'd say that'd be the way to go. If you need pictures if be glad to take some. But I pulled some of it put so I could have it painted.(in the process right now)

 

[ski22]

Re: Howdy, My parents gave me their '96 GS205 5.7L

Don't know if you're still looking/wondering, but I have the same boat. Previous owners left it outside for a couple years. Destroyed the interior and everything basically. I've been redoing it for almost 2 years now. The trailer was easy. Just scuffed it up and rolled a bedliner on it(looks great.)
Also had the floor redone and new carpet and all brand new interior. Went with one captains chair and on the back I had he guy put and L-shaped bench. Looks amazing. Recommended for everyone. Great storage. Only thing I lack as of now is the right window. It had a crack when I purchased the boat. But back on your interior. Mine cost 3500 and I had it totally ripped out when I took it to him. So I have no idea what price range you're looking at, but if your gonna be on it all summer and wanna be proud of it I'd say that'd be the way to go. If you need pictures if be glad to take some. But I pulled some of it put so I could have it painted.(in the process right now)

I have a 96 Glastron GS205 Anniversary Edition also. I'm the original owner, the boat has about 40 hours on it now and has been stored inside all of it's life. If you'd like pictures of the interior or anything else, let me know I'd be happy to help out if you're looking to put it back original.

 

[vines08]

Re: Howdy, My parents gave me their '96 GS205 5.7L

I have a 96 Glastron GS205 Anniversary Edition also. I'm the original owner, the boat has about 40 hours on it now and has been stored inside all of it's life. If you'd like pictures of the interior or anything else, let me know I'd be happy to help out if you're looking to put it back original.

I'm just looking for some info sir! On that side window and some rubbers... Also I want to put a waketower on it. Know of any glastron like ours with this? I think they just make boats look complete
And if you know anything about the 5,7 marine engine (which I'm clueless on) I haven't ran it in 2-3 years. But it was winterized and all that. Any precautions I need to take or what? (sorry, it's my first boat!)

 

[ski22]

Re: Howdy, My parents gave me their '96 GS205 5.7L

I haven't seen any boats like ours with a waketower on them, but it's not a bad idea. Often thought about putting one on mine but wasn't sure I wanted to drill holes in it. As for the 5.7 marine engine, there is nothing special to worry about, it's like any engine thats been sitting for a couple of years. You want to make sure the gas is still good as the new gas these days doesn't last that long unless it has stable or something in it. Make sure the oil is full. Might be a good time to change it as well. Biggest thing is to make sure you've got water running through the lower unit to keep the lower unit pump cool. My boat sat for 3 years when we were moving, but it fired right up with no issues. Frankly, I was surprised it started so easy. Is your boat fuel injected or does it have a carburator?

 

[vines08]

Re: Howdy, My parents gave me their '96 GS205 5.7L

I haven't seen any boats like ours with a waketower on them, but it's not a bad idea. Often thought about putting one on mine but wasn't sure I wanted to drill holes in it. As for the 5.7 marine engine, there is nothing special to worry about, it's like any engine thats been sitting for a couple of years. You want to make sure the gas is still good as the new gas these days doesn't last that long unless it has stable or something in it. Make sure the oil is full. Might be a good time to change it as well. Biggest thing is to make sure you've got water running through the lower unit to keep the lower unit pump cool. My boat sat for 3 years when we were moving, but it fired right up with no issues. Frankly, I was surprised it started so easy. Is your boat fuel injected or does it have a carburator?

I've seen one in perfect condition last summer with a Bimini top on it was all it had. But I like the features that come with the tower. Like the speakers, lights, and storage for your boards! Mine has a carburetor. Think I should change the belts? When I had the floor ripped out I emptied the gas tank and put all new hoses and junk for that. I just hope after dropping about 5500 for interior and paint she'll fire right up! If not...well I guess she'll be gettin a bigger motor or I'll do something crazy to it

 

[Albee]

Re: Howdy, My parents gave me their '96 GS205 5.7L

I would pull the spark plugs and put some penetrating oil in each cylinder. Then let it sit for a few days before turning it over, with out the plugs to get some oil in the cylinders.

Change all of the gas in the tank, lines and carb.

Inspect all rubber hoses for cracks.

Change engine oil and fluid in the lower unit. Maybe new spark plugs if you got the coin.

Put the muffs on with water running and start it up.

Good luck
Al

 

[vines08]

Re: Howdy, My parents gave me their '96 GS205 5.7L

Wouldn't happen to be able to tell me where to hook up the water to the engine would you? And my buddy said to change the water pump in the lower drive??? He has a 2-stroke bass boat so I think our setup is entirely different but then again I'm uneducated when it comes to marine setups. And anybody know where I can get a glass? I had some plexiglass made but I thought it sucked, so I'm looking to find one ASAP cause the paint it almost done!
Thanks for any help!

 

[ski22]

Re: Howdy, My parents gave me their '96 GS205 5.7L

Take a look at the belts to see if they look cracked. They will almost look weather checked like your tires if they sit out in the sun a long time. You can also check to see how loose they are. If there is more than an inch to inch and a half slack in the belts, they are probably stretched or worn. If either of those conditions exist, I'd change them. It's pretty cheap insurance, especially when you're out on the water. If a belt breaks, you can run without power steering or the alternator for a short period of time, but the water pump runs off a belt as well and that engine will over-heat in a matter of minutes. You don't even want to go there It would also be a good idea to change the oil in your lower unit. I'm assuming it has the Cobra outdrive on it, I think they all came with the same outdrive. You haven't mentioned how well it was maintained prior to you getting it, but either way, it's been sitting for a period of time and the oil for the lower unit is pretty cheap.

 

[ski22]

Re: Howdy, My parents gave me their '96 GS205 5.7L

You can hook the water up to the lower unit with these things called muffs. They resemble ear muffs, they are basically made up of two rubber suction cups, one of them have an attachement for a garden hose. You'll see some holes mid-way down on the lower unit, you slip the muffs over the holes, hook up the garden hose and turn it on. Then you're safe to start the engine. I don't know how these compair to a 2-stroke engine. I know on a 2-stroke my cousin had, he started it out of the water and ran it for less than a minute and smoked the little rubber impeller in the lower unit. I don't know if the Cobra out-drive has the same set up, but it's probably similar and I wouldn't take any chances of running it without pumping water through it using the muffs.

 

[vines08]

Re: Howdy, My parents gave me their '96 GS205 5.7L

Where do I get these muffs?!

 

[ski22]

Re: Howdy, My parents gave me their '96 GS205 5.7L

You can get muffs almost anyplace. Obviously any boat shop, but also, Dicks Sporting Goods, Miejer, Wal-Mart, I think you can even find them at Lowes or Home Depot.