You may have heard of Brainerd, Minnesota, even if you're not from up in 'da norte woods.' That big ol' lumberjack Paul Bunyan and his big ol' blue ox hail from these parts after all. And it was the setting for most of the movie 'Fargo,' although it may take a few more decades before that association is held with the same pride. But when you're on beautiful-but-breezy Gull Lake in the early summer and the short-but-cherished boating season is getting into full swing, this area becomes a virtual floating museum for another bit of folklore with roots just down the road.

Throughout the years, the company has a legacy of building distinctive boats that represent the very essence of family boating. You can count on Glastron turning out boats that are stylish, innovative and affordable. So when you're cruising around Gull Lake on this early summer day in a brand-new Glastron SX 175, with the charmingly rustic Cragun's Resort behind you, and classic Glastrons all around you, it's tough to keep your mind on the job at hand.

But it's boats like this that define what Glastron is all about. You want innovative? Start with the hull and work your way up. The SX 175 is one of several models built with Glastron's revolutionary closed-mold technology called VEC, which ensures a precisely uniform hull that's both lightweight and strong. But what really matter is the resulting solid ride that's not as common as you'd imagine in 17-footers costing under $15,000.

There's a light breeze kicking up a slight chop, so when you slide the stock Mercury throttle shifter forward, the natural reaction is to brace yourself for a bumpy takeoff. As the bow drops and the boat begins to plane, it's clear that there's no hull 'wracking' that you've come to associate with boats this size in these conditions. What's more, you're able to track a true line even with the water a little sloppy. The SX 175 also gets high marks for accurate turns at different speeds. The boat's standard power steering makes handling and docking a breeze, and you always feel confident the bow will instantly respond to any steering maneuver.

This particular SX 175 features a Volvo Penta power plant that's been upgraded from the base 3.0 GL to the sporty 4.3 GL. The result is a top end that reaches more than 51 mph, but most families would likely be satisfied with a top speed in the mid 40s. The test engine pops this boat on plane in a little over 3 seconds and cruises comfortably at just over 35 mph. Reaching 30 mph in 9.3 seconds will not set any speed records, but it's just fine for a family that's got tubing on its mind. The engine's also pretty quiet at idle, purring along at 72 decibels.

While it's important to know what's inside this boat, you might be surprised by the stylish touches you see from the dock. The racy graphics give the boat a sporty look, with accent colors winding their way into the boat's sculpted upholstered contours. Glastron's 2004 runabout line features a terrific new windshield design that sets it apart from its competitors with its graceful forward arc. Boaters in cooler climates will appreciate the snug-fitting walk-through insert.

With a narrow-but-functional swim platform and a handy stern locker that's big enough for a kneeboard, you could have some great entry-level watersports fun. The stainless-steel boarding ladder, however, will take some getting used to because it sticks up too high and could cause a few stubbed toes.

Climbing into the cockpit, you'll find plenty of room at the helm for even taller drivers. The standard seating configuration is well-designed with two fold-out 'sleeper' seats, but it's nice to have the option to select the 'Sun Lounge' package ($320 upgrade) featuring twin bucket seats, an aft bench and a larger rear sun pad. Either way, the bow seating makes good use of the space. Storage on a boat this size is always at a premium, so you'll appreciate the self-draining glove box, but remember there's a reason that it's self-draining.

Given the precise hull construction, it's surprising to notice that while the rear board storage is well thought out with an easy-to-clean compartment and assisted-lift door, the in-floor locker seems like an afterthought. The large hingeless hatch has an unfinished look and fits badly, causing it to rattle while under way. Adding hinges and a rubber gasket would make it far more user-friendly. There's also a cap edge covering the edge of the deck liner that doesn't look like it would wear well over time.

The test boat features several options that you will probably want to consider. Snap-in carpeting makes for a more pleasant day on the water, as does a Bimini top. And no family should expect to be out on the water all day without a CD player, so you'll want to upgrade the Audiovox AM/FM cassette player.

Living up to a storied brand like Glastron can't be easy. Whether you have fond memories of your grandfather's 1958 Seaflite or you were just thrilled by the GT150 that made the world-record jump in the James Bond film 'Live and Let Die,' chances are you know the name. It's nice to see that some of the company's long-held traditions like style, innovation and affordability are still around. Some legends, like Paul Bunyan and that big ol' blue ox, just live on.