Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 vs Glastron MX185 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 against a deep vee Glastron MX185 2013 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 MX185 2013 at 18,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron MX185 2013 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 Glastron DS 205 DB 2012 carries a rated maximum of 270 hp. Engine data for the Glastron MX185 2013 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Glastron MX185 2013 carries 24 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 MX185 2013 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 MX185 2013 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
Model Year2012
Model Year2013
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 - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters129.54
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches50.5
Depth - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail28 in. (0.71 m)
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (79 cm)
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)
Weight - kg1315.42
Weight - kg1034.19
Weight - lbs.29
Weight - lbs.228
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (2.39 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Length - Feet20.08
Length - Feet18.42
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 1 in. (6.12 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)
Length overall - Meters6.12
Length overall - Meters5.61
Length overall - Inches241
Length overall - Inches221
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail44 in. (1.12 m)
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters1.12
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches44
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 - Detail24 gal. (91 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Drive typeI/O
Drive typenot available
Horsepower220 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine max270 hp
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum people10 or 1,400 lbs. (635 kg)
Maximum people7
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all23 ft. 5 in. (7.14 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available