Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008?

The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 is the longer of the two at 20,1 feet overall. The Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 2,1 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 GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 274 lbs for the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008. 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 205 DB 2012 is rated to a maximum of 270 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 tops out at 225 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 GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 is certified for 5. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008?

The Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012. That 24-gallon difference translates to roughly 72–120 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 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 GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008

Glastron

Glastron DS 205 DB 2012

2012

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Glastron

Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 against a deep vee Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 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 GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 tips the scales at 274 lbs — 245 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 270 hp, the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 has a 45-hp advantage over the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008's 225-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 GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 carries 29 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 GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 caps at 5. 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 GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelDS 205 DB

ModelGXL 185 Ski & Fish

Model Year2012

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam91 in. (2.31 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches91

Deadrise17°

Deadrise21℃

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

Depth - Detail43 in. (1.09 m) Cockpit: 29.5 in. (0.75 m)

Depth - Centimeters129.54

Depth - Centimeters109.22

Depth - Inches50.5

Depth - Inches43

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 - Detail2,740 lbs. (1,243 kg) w/4.3 GL Volvo Penta

Weight - kg1315.42

Weight - kg1242.84

Weight - lbs.29

Weight - lbs.274

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 - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 m)

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches241

Length overall - Inches216

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.49

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 - Detail29 gal. (110 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower220 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max270 hp

Engine max225 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard3.0 GL Volvo Penta (135 hp)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum capacity1,200 lbs. (544 kg)

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

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailEZ Loader GM 3500S (painted)

Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008?

The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 is the longer of the two at 20,1 feet overall. The Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 2,1 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 GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 274 lbs for the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008. 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 205 DB 2012 is rated to a maximum of 270 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 tops out at 225 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 GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 is certified for 5. 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008?

The Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012. That 24-gallon difference translates to roughly 72–120 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 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 GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 full specs