Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron GT 185 Ski & Fish 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 against a deep vee Glastron GT 185 Ski & Fish 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely 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 GT 185 Ski & Fish 2009 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GT 185 Ski & Fish 2009 tips the scales at 2 335 lbs — 2 306 lbs less than the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 at 29 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 GT 185 Ski & Fish 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 GT 185 Ski & Fish 2009 carries 23 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 205 DB 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Glastron GT 185 Ski & Fish 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 20,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GT 185 Ski & Fish 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelDS 205 DB
ModelGT 185 Ski & Fish
Model Year2012
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in. (2.59 m)
Beam88 in. (2.24 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.24
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches88
Deadrise17°
Deadrise21℃
Depth - Detail50.5 in. (1.28 m) Cockpit: 35 in. (0.89 m)
Depth - Detail44 in. (1.12 m) Cockpit: 28.5 in. (0.73 m)
Depth - Centimeters129.54
Depth - Centimeters111.76
Depth - Inches50.5
Depth - Inches44
Draft [max] - Detail28 in. (0.71 m)
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.79 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.71
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches28
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail2,900 lbs. (1,315 kg)
Weight - Detail2,335 lbs. (1,059 kg)
Weight - kg1315.42
Weight - kg1059.14
Weight - lbs.29
Weight - lbs.2335
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (2.39 m)
Width [transom] - Detail86 in. (2.18 m)
Length - Feet20.08
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 1 in. (6.12 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters6.12
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches241
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.61
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches5
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
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 - Detail23 gal. (87 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower220 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine max270 hp
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)
Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)
Maximum people10 or 1,400 lbs. (635 kg)
Maximum people8
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all23 ft. 5 in. (7.14 m)
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 10 in. (6.65 m)