Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron GLS 235 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron GLS 235 2009?

The Glastron GLS 235 2009 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 comes in at 20,1 feet, making it roughly 2,9 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 GLS 235 2009?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 has the edge at 2 900 lbs dry weight versus 4 080 lbs for the Glastron GLS 235 2009. 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 has a documented max rating of 270 hp. Engine specifications for the Glastron GLS 235 2009 were not available in our database - check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Glastron GLS 235 2009 is certified for 12. 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 GLS 235 2009 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 GLS 235 2009?

The Glastron GLS 235 2009 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 50 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and Glastron GLS 235 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and the Glastron GLS 235 2009 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 GLS 235 2009

Glastron

Glastron DS 205 DB 2012

2012

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Glastron

Glastron GLS 235 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron GLS 235 2009: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 is a modified-V design and the Glastron GLS 235 2009 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 at 20,1 ft versus Glastron GLS 235 2009 at 23,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GLS 235 2009 tips the scales at 4 080 lbs - 1 180 lbs less than the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 at 2 900 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 DS 205 DB 2012 carries a rated maximum of 270 hp. Engine data for the Glastron GLS 235 2009 wasn't available in our records - check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Glastron GLS 235 2009 carries 56 gallons versus 50 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 GLS 235 2009 is rated for 12 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 GLS 235 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GLS 235 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 12 passengers and at 23,0 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

ModelGLS 235

Model Year2012

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise17°

Deadrise21℃

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

Depth - Detail57 in. (1.45 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (0.91 m)

Depth - Centimeters129.54

Depth - Centimeters144.78

Depth - Inches50.5

Depth - Inches57

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

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.84 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches28

Draft [max] - Inches33

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

Weight - Detail4,080 lbs. (1,851 kg)

Weight - kg1315.42

Weight - kg1850.66

Weight - lbs.2900

Weight - lbs.4080

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

Width [transom] - Detail97 in. (2.46 m)

Length - Feet20.08

Length - Feet23

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

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in. (7.24 m)

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Meters7.24

Length overall - Inches241

Length overall - Inches285

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.24

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches9

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine model4.3L MPI EC MerCruiser

Engine modelnot available

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 - Gal50

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower220 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max270 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum capacity1,650 lbs. (748 kg)

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

Maximum people12

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 10 in. (7.87 m)

Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron GLS 235 2009 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron GLS 235 2009?

The Glastron GLS 235 2009 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 comes in at 20,1 feet, making it roughly 2,9 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 GLS 235 2009?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 has the edge at 2 900 lbs dry weight versus 4 080 lbs for the Glastron GLS 235 2009. 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 has a documented max rating of 270 hp. Engine specifications for the Glastron GLS 235 2009 were not available in our database - check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Glastron GLS 235 2009 is certified for 12. 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 GLS 235 2009 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 GLS 235 2009?

The Glastron GLS 235 2009 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 50 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and Glastron GLS 235 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and the Glastron GLS 235 2009 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 GLS 235 2009 full specs