Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 is the longer of the two at 20,8 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 comes in at 20,1 feet, making it roughly 0,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 36 lbs for the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 tops out at 270 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 is certified for 13. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 share an 102 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012. That 51-gallon difference translates to roughly 153–255 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 are built by Glastron. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron DS 215 DB 2012

Glastron

Glastron DS 205 DB 2012

2012

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Glastron

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 are modified 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 205 DB 2012 at 20,1 ft versus Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 at 20,8 ft. At 29 lbs and 36 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has a 30-hp advantage over the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012's 270-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 carries 56 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012. 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 DS 215 DB 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 20,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelDS 205 DB

ModelDS 215 DB

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise17°

Deadrise16°

Depth - Detail50.5 in. (1.28 m) Cockpit: 35 in. (0.89 m)

Depth - Detail57.5 in. (1.46 m) Cockpit: 28.5 in. (0.72 m)

Depth - Centimeters129.54

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Inches50.5

Depth - Inches57.5

Draft [max] - Detail28 in. (0.71 m)

Draft [max] - Detail30 in. (0.76 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Inches28

Draft [max] - Inches3

Weight - Detail2,900 lbs. (1,315 kg)

Weight - Detail3,600 lbs. (1,633 kg)

Weight - kg1315.42

Weight - kg1632.93

Weight - lbs.29

Weight - lbs.36

Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (2.39 m)

Width [transom] - Detail96 in. (2.44 m)

Length - Feet20.08

Length - Feet20.83

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 1 in. (6.12 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 11 in. (6.38 m)

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Meters6.38

Length overall - Inches241

Length overall - Inches251

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine model4.3L MPI EC MerCruiser

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower220 hp

Engine max270 hp

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum people10 or 1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum people13 or 1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all23 ft. 5 in. (7.14 m)

Trailer - Length over all23 ft. 9 in. (7.24 m)

Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 is the longer of the two at 20,8 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 comes in at 20,1 feet, making it roughly 0,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 36 lbs for the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 tops out at 270 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 is certified for 13. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 share an 102 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012. That 51-gallon difference translates to roughly 153–255 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 are built by Glastron. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 full specs ← Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 full specs