Glasstream Showcases New GSX 32 LS Center Console At Tiki Lee’s Shootout On The River
Of all the cool go-fast powerboats on hand to ogle during third annual Tiki Lee’s Shootout On The River in Sparrows Point, Md., which you can read about in Jason Johnson’s fine coverage, one of the most intriguing models came in the form of a new GSX Powerboats 32 LS center console from Glasstream Powerboats. The 32-footer was on display last weekend outside the host venue courtesy of the Dothan, Ala., center console builder, which was a first-time premiere sponsor of the 2023 event.
Unveiled at the Tiki Lee’s Shootout On The River last weekend, the GSX 32 LS rounds out the company’s new performance-oriented center console series, which includes 28- and 36-foot offerings. Photos by Jack Lungu courtesy Glasstream Powerboats.
The 32-footer is the newest addition to the GSX family of performance-oriented center consoles. The line also includes a 28-footer and a 36-footer. That latter was unveiled earlier this year at the Miami International Boat Show.
But until late Saturday afternoon, owner Wayne Schepens, who lives in the Annapolis, Md., area, had never driven the model powered by twin Mercury Marine Verado 300 outboard engines. When he arrived at Tiki Lee’s, his wife, Jennifer, and friend were sitting on the boat’s T-top.
“I actually just flew in from New York and didn’t get the chance to use it in the poker run,” he said.
Schepens and his wife owned a 28-foot deckboat before stepping into the center-console realm. They purchased GSX 32 LS hull No. 1 through Total Marine, another Shootout On The River backer. The full-service Norwalk, Ct., dealership took on the Glasstream line about six months ago.
The new 32-footer will expand the Maryland-based couple’s boating horizons.
“I had ridden in a friend’s 32-foot Glasstream fishing boat and they ride on the same hull,” Schepens said. “We looked at the GSX 28, but it seemed too small for what we wanted to do and I didn’t want to buy a fishing boat. The GSX 32 was perfect for us. The deckboat was like a mini-van. This gives us more range. Now can go to a location on the eastern shore and hang out.
“My wife is still a little worried about the speed,” he added, then laughed. “I told her we could outrun storms now, and that straightened her right out.”
A closer look at the new GSX 32 LS center console.
As Glasstream did with the GSX 36 LS release, the company worked closely with a dealer—Total Marine—on bringing hull No. 1 to life. (To develop the 36-footer, the company worked with Day’s Boat Sales of Frankfort, Ky.)
“We met with (Glasstream company owner) Kruis Retherford and we were all really impressed with the 32,” said Tom Caruso, who co-owns Total Marine with Jeff Renfrow.
Schepens was delighted with his first sea trial in the 32-footer.
“I loved it—it was so smooth,” he said. “My wife could not believe how it cut through the water so easily at speed.”
Glasstream director of sales and marketing Ashely Strong sees the GSX 32 LS as ideal for newcomers to the the performance-oriented center console market.
“The GSX 32 LS had an overwhelmingly great response,” she said. “We also had a GSX 36 LS on display with a paint job by Paul Boyden which was a showstopper for sure. Our product is the perfect introduction to the performance-boating lifestyle.”
For Schepens and his wife, this weekend’s delivery was ideal. “I sold my company two weeks ago,” he said. “So this comes at the perfect time.”
For the Schepens, captured here with members of the Glasstream and Total Marine teams, the delivery timing of the GSX 32 LS center console couldn’t have been better.
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