When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Glastron DS 200 2013 and the Glastron GS 209 2012 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Glastron DS 200 2013 at 20,1 ft versus Glastron GS 209 2012 at 20,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GS 209 2012 tips the scales at 2 832 lbs — 2 561 lbs less than the Glastron DS 200 2013 at 271 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The Glastron GS 209 2012 tops out at 270 hp. Engine specs for the Glastron DS 200 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Glastron GS 209 2012 carries 45 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Glastron DS 200 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Glastron GS 209 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Glastron DS 200 2013 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GS 209 2012 could be the deciding factor.