Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 boat specs
Glastron
Glastron DS 205 DB 2012
2012
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VS
Glastron MX 185 2011 boat specs
Glastron
Glastron MX 185 2011
2011
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Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron MX 185 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 against a deep vee Glastron MX 185 2011 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 MX 185 2011 at 17,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron MX 185 2011 tips the scales at 228 lbs — 199 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 50-hp advantage over the Glastron MX 185 2011's 220-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 MX 185 2011 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 MX 185 2011 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 MX 185 2011 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
MakeGlastron
ModelDS 205 DB
ModelMX 185
Model Year2012
Model Year2011
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. (0.72 m) Maximum: 57 in. (1.45 m)
Depth - Centimeters129.54
Depth - Centimeters144.78
Depth - Inches50.5
Depth - Inches57
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 - Detail2,280 lbs. (1,035 kg) with engine
Weight - kg1315.42
Weight - kg1034.19
Weight - lbs.29
Weight - lbs.228
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (2.39 m)
Width [transom] - Detail86 in. (2.18 m)
Length - Feet20.08
Length - Feet17.08
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 1 in. (6.12 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 1 in. (5.21 m)
Length overall - Meters6.12
Length overall - Meters5.21
Length overall - Inches241
Length overall - Inches205
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (0.41 m)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches16
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 makeVolvo Penta
Engine model4.3L MPI EC MerCruiser
Engine model3.0 GL
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
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower220 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine max270 hp
Engine max220 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum people10 or 1,400 lbs. (635 kg)
Maximum people7 or 1,000 lbs. (454 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all23 ft. 5 in. (7.14 m)
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 10 in. (6.65 m)

Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron MX 185 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 or the Glastron MX 185 2011?
The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 is the longer of the two at 20,1 feet overall. The Glastron MX 185 2011 comes in at 17,1 feet, making it roughly 3,0 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 MX 185 2011?
For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 228 lbs for the Glastron MX 185 2011. 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 MX 185 2011 tops out at 220 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 MX 185 2011 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 88" for the Glastron MX 185 2011. 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 MX 185 2011?
The Glastron MX 185 2011 has the bigger tank at 23 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and Glastron MX 185 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 and the Glastron MX 185 2011 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.