Glastron DS 205 2008 vs Glastron GS 259 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Glastron DS 205 2008 or the Glastron GS 259 2006?

The Glastron GS 259 2006 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 2008 comes in at 20,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Glastron DS 205 2008 or the Glastron GS 259 2006?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 2008 has the edge at 2 930 lbs dry weight versus 5 535 lbs for the Glastron GS 259 2006. 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 GS 259 2006 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DS 205 2008 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 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Glastron GS 259 2006 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 2008 and Glastron GS 259 2006 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 2008 or the Glastron GS 259 2006?

The Glastron GS 259 2006 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 50 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 2008. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron DS 205 2008 and Glastron GS 259 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Glastron DS 205 2008 and the Glastron GS 259 2006 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 2008 vs Glastron GS 259 2006

Glastron

Glastron DS 205 2008

2008

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Glastron

Glastron GS 259 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 205 2008 vs Glastron GS 259 2006: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron DS 205 2008 vs Glastron GS 259 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story: intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Glastron GS 259 2006 measures 24,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DS 205 2008 at 20,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GS 259 2006 tips the scales at 5 535 lbs - 2 605 lbs less than the Glastron DS 205 2008 at 2 930 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 320 hp, the Glastron GS 259 2006 has a 50-hp advantage over the Glastron DS 205 2008'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 GS 259 2006 carries 56 gallons versus 50 gallons in the Glastron DS 205 2008. 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 GS 259 2006 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Glastron DS 205 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GS 259 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GS 259 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 7 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron DS 205 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelDS 205

ModelGS 259

Model Year2008

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise20℃

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

Depth - Detail84 in. (2.13 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (.91 m)

Depth - Centimeters129.54

Depth - Centimeters213.36

Depth - Inches50.5

Depth - Inches84

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

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.91 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches28

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail2,930 lbs. (1,330 kg) w/4.3 GL Volvo Penta

Weight - Detailw/ 5.7 Gi Volvo Penta?: 5,535 lbs. (2,511 kg)

Weight - kg1329.02

Weight - kg2510.63

Weight - lbs.2930

Weight - lbs.5535

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

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

Length - Meters6.12

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet20

Length - Feet24

Length - Inches1

Length - Inches10

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

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 10 in. (7.57 m)

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Meters7.57

Length overall - Inches241

Length overall - Inches298

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard4.3 GL Volvo Penta

Engine/s standard5.0 GL Volvo Penta?

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 - Gal50

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine max270 hp

Engine max320 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum capacity2,240 lbs. (1,016 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailEZ Loader GM 4000T (painted)

Trailer - Detailnot available

Glastron DS 205 2008 vs Glastron GS 259 2006 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Glastron DS 205 2008 or the Glastron GS 259 2006?

The Glastron GS 259 2006 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 2008 comes in at 20,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Glastron DS 205 2008 or the Glastron GS 259 2006?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 2008 has the edge at 2 930 lbs dry weight versus 5 535 lbs for the Glastron GS 259 2006. 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 GS 259 2006 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DS 205 2008 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 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Glastron GS 259 2006 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 2008 and Glastron GS 259 2006 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 2008 or the Glastron GS 259 2006?

The Glastron GS 259 2006 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 50 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 2008. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron DS 205 2008 and Glastron GS 259 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Glastron DS 205 2008 and the Glastron GS 259 2006 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 2008 full specs ← Glastron GS 259 2006 full specs