The following review was written by John Page Williams, Editor-at-large, Chesapeake Bay Magazine. John, senior naturalist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, has been a regular contributor to Chesapeake Bay Magazine for 30 years, specializing in environmental issues, nature, wildlife, fishing and boats. He has been testing new and used boats for the magazine's Time-Tested and New Boat News departments since 1998.

OCTOBER 2009

Length overall  24' 10" Beam  8' 6" Draft  36" (drive down) Weight  5,450 lb Deadrise0 degrees Fuel 56 gals/ Water18 gals Waste  3.8 gals (6.5 gal VacuFlush optional) Base Price  $55,000 with     220-hp Volvo 5.0

Glastron's new GS 259 is a trailerable pocket cruiser that sleeps a family of four and still offers both a comfortable, roomy cockpit and good performance with a small V-8 outdrive. With the standard 220-hp Volvo Penta 5.0, the boat cruises economically at speeds in the upper 20s and tops out at around 40 mph with a full load. The cabin has a forward, asymmetrical V-berth with convertible dinette table, a galley (single electric burner, microwave, sink and AC/DC refrigerator), a head with ceramic toilet, and a mid-berth bunk for two children or one adult. The cockpit layout includes a wet bar and a sun lounge to port. There's a double helm seat to starboard backed by an aft-facing double seat and a removable seat across the transom. Glastron Boats, Little Falls, Minn.; 320-632-1400; www.glastron.com