Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

The Glastron GXL 255 2008 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 comes in at 20,1 feet, making it roughly 4,9 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 GXL 255 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 4 675 lbs for the Glastron GXL 255 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 GXL 255 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 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 GXL 255 2008 is certified for 7. 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 GXL 255 2008 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 GXL 255 2008?

The Glastron GXL 255 2008 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 GXL 255 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and the Glastron GXL 255 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 255 2008

Glastron

Glastron DS 205 DB 2012

2012

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Glastron

Glastron GXL 255 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 against a deep vee Glastron GXL 255 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Glastron GXL 255 2008 measures 25,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 4,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 at 20,1 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GXL 255 2008 tips the scales at 4 675 lbs — 4 646 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 425 hp, the Glastron GXL 255 2008 has a 155-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 GXL 255 2008 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 205 DB 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 255 2008 caps at 7. 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 255 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelDS 205 DB

ModelGXL 255

Model Year2012

Model Year2008

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 - Detail57.5 in. (1.46 m) Cockpit: 37 in. (0.94 m)

Depth - Centimeters129.54

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Inches50.5

Depth - Inches57.5

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

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches28

Draft [max] - Inches34

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

Weight - Detail4,675 lbs. (2,120 kg) w/5.7 Gi Volvo Penta

Weight - kg1315.42

Weight - kg2120.54

Weight - lbs.29

Weight - lbs.4675

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

Width [transom] - Detail98 in. (2.49 m)

Length - Feet20.08

Length - Feet25

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

Length overall - Detail25 ft. (7.62 m)

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Inches241

Length overall - Inches3

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.62

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 - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower220 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max270 hp

Engine max425 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard5.0 GXi Volvo Penta (270 hp)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs. (816 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 5800T (painted)

Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

The Glastron GXL 255 2008 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 comes in at 20,1 feet, making it roughly 4,9 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 GXL 255 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 4 675 lbs for the Glastron GXL 255 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 GXL 255 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 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 GXL 255 2008 is certified for 7. 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 GXL 255 2008 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 GXL 255 2008?

The Glastron GXL 255 2008 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 GXL 255 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and the Glastron GXL 255 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 255 2008 full specs