I’ve been known to refer to certain cars as boats; you know the kind, usually domestic, full-size bloated bombs on wheels. It’s a commonly used metaphor but not always used disparagingly. Well here’s a boat, I mean a real boat in the form of a Glastron. And this one has some distant celebrity relationship as it is claimed to be the same model as used in the 1979 James Bond film “Moonraker”. Let’s take a look and check out this 1978 Glastron Carlson CV23-HT which is located in San Antonio, Texas, and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $13,301, reserve not yet met.
Straight up, I know nothing about the movie Moonraker; I dropped James Bond like a hot potato after Sir Roger Moore made one or two attempts at emulating Ian Fleming’s indestructible spy, James Bond. I’m a bit more familiar with Glastron, a fiberglass boat builder that has been in existence since 1956 and known for its unique SSV hull design. And Glastron takes credit for product placement in the 1973 film adaptation of “Live and Let Die”, Moore’s first 007 appearance, but there is no reference to their involvement in Moonraker. What is important to keep in mind though, is that this specific Glastron did not appear in the Bond film. It is one of 300 of the model used in the movie and is considered rarely seen today. The real deal, Moonraker II, the actual boat from the supporting role, was up for auction back in 2011 and it was cast in a Silver Metaflake fiberglass mix, not Bronze Flake like our subject.
So what’s the big deal? Nothing really except that this 42-year-old Glastron is in very nice shape, but that’s not so unusual for a boat that has ostensibly seen little use and is stored properly. Admittedly, this example’s design has held up over time, it still cuts an impressive swath though the Bronze Metaflake is dated looking. It’s a closed bow design with a small cutty cabin that will supposedly sleep two. I have tried that before on a boat of this size; sleeping is a bit of a challenge. The seller states that this boat has been kept indoors and that is believable, there is no sign of fade which will affect fiberglass boats the same way it affects a painted auto body. The tan/brown vinyl upholstery still looks like new, more evidence of proper storage. The sun, reflecting off of the water’s surface, will flay boat upholstery in short order if it is not protected. The use of this boat’s bimini top, in concert with the fixed cabin roof, while out on the water, has certainly helped to preserve its originality.
This Glastron is an inboard/outboard design powered by a 260 HP, Mercruiser 350 CI, V8 engine. It’s actually a Chevrolet small-block as so many Mercruiser engines are. The seller claims that this Glastron “runs nicely” and the power trim works great. It would be helpful to know how many hours are on this original Mercruiser engine. They are persnickety powerplants as more seems to go wrong from non-use than it does from actual operation.
Is this good value for a 42-year-old Glastron? I’d recommend some research, it seems the value plays are with older boats constructed from wood. An that’s taking nothing away from this Glastron, they built, and continue to build, a fine marine product. Celebrity value? None that comes to mind, the James Bond association is a stretch. Marine technology, like auto technology, has advanced considerably in 40+ years; if you are boat shopping, you may want to cast a wider net, don’t you think?
I don’t know anything about boats; this is a sharp looking one though. The only reference I have with respect to boats is this quote: ” “The two happiest days for a boat owner is when he buys it, and when he sells it” or something to that effect, LOL!! GLWTA!! :-)
This one certainly does appear to be well cared-for but I’m very confident that the transom has started turning to plywood dust, if not mush, even though this one must have spent most of its life on a trailer. The transom and stringers are generally places where “original” is not a plus. Still, a nice find.
I was just going to say the same, I’ve seen 10 year old boats with bad transoms, if used on a fresh water lake. I’m told salt water protects it a bit better than fresh water. My job is a boat mechanic, and we have a 1999, 33′ Formula with a bad transom right now. It’s about an 8-10,000 thousand dollar job on the formula, and it was pretty well taken care of.
I’m more familiar with the GT-150 from Live and Let Die.
https://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/product/glastron-gt-150
Very cool. Thanks for the link.
Live and Let Die was the best of Moore’s spin as Bond imho. Cant beat the Loosiana voodo stuff or Paul McCartneys song……….or Jane Seymour!
As for the boat……..I’ll take a Gar Wood please :)
The Moonraker chase on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-EL1-0MxFs
Cool! Thank you
Cool. But the Glastron Carlson Scimitar is even better!
Unfortunately Scimitar super rare here in Europe and EU does not allow old boats being privately imported. Unless the same model has EU approval – and as far as I know Scimitar is too old to have that
In case there is one for sale in EU – ping me :-)
Completely agree, unfortunately Scimitars are very rare in EU and importing from outside is impossible to EU regulations
In case you know one for sale in EU – ping me!
Glastron/Carlson did build some darned nice boats my favorite is is still the GT150 with a 140 hp V4 on it. The 150 seemed to always have transom problems and this hurt Glastrons sales over their entire line. I was and have always been a fan of their designs and this would be a nice mellow cruiser that little 350 propped right may get you 40 mph and it’s going to have a thirst! Nice looking well cared for older boat!
I could get my 1988 Glastron CVX-23 up to 55 mph on smooth water fully trimmed out with just my wife and I in it with less than a 1/4 tank of gas in the 75 gallon tank. It had the Alpha 1 Mercruiser 260 HP 350 Chevy and I ran a Stainless Steel Laser 3 blade prop. That Carlson hull would fly!
Ship, that ain’t no boat!!! My buddy has a boat, I mean a REAL cigarette! He said he could get me on the water at 90 M.P.H. and hit the Farallons out of the Golden Gate Bridge in minutes, if not seconds.
The sharks could NEVER keep up.
It pumps out 450 H.P. out of TWO V-10 Engines a 500 gallon gas tank, twin screws and CUSTOM purple, orange and white flames! It also sits on a THREE axel trailer with custom purple paint.
Bring a neck brace when you board cuz you’ll need it to prevent whiplash when the hammer throttle goes forward!!! Get the picture???
My first boat in the early 80’s was a Glastron GT-150 and after a lot of great times in it before I bought a brand new Glastron CVX-23 in July of 1988. It was the prettiest and nicest handling boat made in that era, and even today in my opinion. Ours didn’t have the hardtop like this one, which is very rare. It would do 55 MPH with me and my wife in it, fully trimmed out with less that a 1/4 tank of gas in its 75 gallon tank. It was so stable and handled so well I could be at full speed and turn it as hard as I wanted to, and it would never skip or chine walk. My wife and I slept in it many times and it was very comfortable with plenty of room for a Porta Potti, that easily fit right in the cuddy cabin along with my skis and kneeboard. We would take it to our local lakes, but where it was really fun was taking it up and down the Missouri River system in South Dakota. It was in perfect condition and was always stored in my heated garage, I wish I had never sold it!
At the age of 23, I ordered a new 1972 Glastron 18′ with a 350 GM and Jet propulsion. What a stable and fast boat, and the sound of those dual exhausts echoed across the lake. By 1979 I graduated to a new CVX20 with a 460 Ford and Jet Propulsion. That boat would just skip across the water and having a jetivator, it could throw a 100′ rooster tail. We all enjoyed it because the rooster tail could reach the skiers with a 100′ rope. Now in my older years I’ve settled for a 20′ Hurricane Deck Boat. But I can still pull 2 skiers.
MrK that’s a pretty BIG step to a deck boat from a CVX20! The CVX was a beautiful boat. When I was growing up on the water the Glastrons and Checkmates were the HOT boats, my neighbor has a Checkmate with a 455 pontiac engine and a jet drive and at that time I was in HS running a 12 ft GW Invader with a 75 HP short shaft Merc I did a lot of prop research and experimental work on different pitches vs RPM and ended running a bronze 25″ wheel. With this setup I could run faster than the Checkmate but if I had another person in my boat, I got smoked! It was very fun both boats would run over 70 MPH. Simpler days it seems, for heaven’s sake I own a pontoon but also a 23ft Donzi with a supercharged bored 502! It helps my sanity stay in place MrK