Glastron DS 205 2008 vs Glastron GS 259 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 2008 or the Glastron GS 259 2012?

The Glastron GS 259 2012 is the longer of the two at 24,8 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 2008 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 22,8 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 2012?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 2008 has the edge at 293 lbs dry weight versus 545 lbs for the Glastron GS 259 2012. 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 2012 is rated to a maximum of 300 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 2012 is certified for 10. 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 2012 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 2012?

The Glastron GS 259 2012 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 2008. 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 2008 and Glastron GS 259 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 2008 and the Glastron GS 259 2012 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 2012

Glastron

Glastron DS 205 2008

2008

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Glastron

Glastron GS 259 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 205 2008 vs Glastron GS 259 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Glastron DS 205 2008 against a deep vee Glastron GS 259 2012 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 GS 259 2012 measures 24,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 22,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DS 205 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GS 259 2012 tips the scales at 545 lbs — 252 lbs less than the Glastron DS 205 2008 at 293 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 300 hp, the Glastron GS 259 2012 has a 30-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 2012 carries 56 gallons versus 5 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 2012 is rated for 10 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 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GS 259 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 24,8 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 Year2012

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. (0.91 m)

Depth - Centimeters129.54

Depth - Centimeters213.36

Depth - Inches50.5

Depth - Inches84

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

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 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 - Detail5,450 lbs. (2,472 kg)

Weight - kg1329.02

Weight - kg2472.08

Weight - lbs.293

Weight - lbs.545

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

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

Length - Meters6.12

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet2

Length - Feet24.83

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

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 typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard4.3 GL Volvo Penta

Engine/s standardnot 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

Engine max270 hp

Engine max300 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeVolvo Penta

Engine modelnot available

Engine model5.0 GXiC DP

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower270 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

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

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people10 or 2,240 lbs. (1,016 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailEZ Loader GM 4000T (painted)

Trailer - Detailnot available

Glastron DS 205 2008 vs Glastron GS 259 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 2008 or the Glastron GS 259 2012?

The Glastron GS 259 2012 is the longer of the two at 24,8 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 2008 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 22,8 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 2012?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 2008 has the edge at 293 lbs dry weight versus 545 lbs for the Glastron GS 259 2012. 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 2012 is rated to a maximum of 300 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 2012 is certified for 10. 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 2012 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 2012?

The Glastron GS 259 2012 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 2008. 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 2008 and Glastron GS 259 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 2008 and the Glastron GS 259 2012 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 2012 full specs