Glastron DS 205 2011 vs Glastron GLS 255 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 2011 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

The Glastron GLS 255 2011 is the longer of the two at 25,3 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 2011 comes in at 20,1 feet, making it roughly 5,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DS 205 2011 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 2011 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 46 lbs for the Glastron GLS 255 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Glastron GLS 255 2011 is rated to a maximum of 400 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DS 205 2011 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 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Glastron GLS 255 2011 is certified for 12. 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 2011 and Glastron GLS 255 2011 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 2011 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

The Glastron GLS 255 2011 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 2011. 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 2011 and Glastron GLS 255 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 2011 and the Glastron GLS 255 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.

Boat Comparison

Glastron DS 205 2011 vs Glastron GLS 255 2011

Glastron

Glastron DS 205 2011

2011

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Glastron

Glastron GLS 255 2011

2011

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 205 2011 vs Glastron GLS 255 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Glastron DS 205 2011 against a deep vee Glastron GLS 255 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Glastron GLS 255 2011 measures 25,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 5,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DS 205 2011 at 20,1 feet (2011). At 29 lbs and 46 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 400 hp, the Glastron GLS 255 2011 has a 130-hp advantage over the Glastron DS 205 2011'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 GLS 255 2011 carries 56 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Glastron DS 205 2011. 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 GLS 255 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Glastron DS 205 2011 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GLS 255 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GLS 255 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 25,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron DS 205 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelDS 205

ModelGLS 255

Model Year2011

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) Maximum: 59 in. (1.5 m)

Depth - Detail59.5 in. (1.51 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (0.91 m) Maximum: 72.5 in. (1.84 m)

Depth - Centimeters149.86

Depth - Centimeters185.42

Depth - Inches59

Depth - Inches72.5

Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (0.33 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detail18.5 in. (0.47 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] meters0.48

Draft [drive up] inches13

Draft [drive up] inches18.5

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) with engine

Weight - Detail4,600 lbs. (2,087 kg) with engine

Weight - kg1315.42

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - lbs.29

Weight - lbs.46

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

Width [transom] - Detail97 in. (2.46 m)

Length - Feet20.08

Length - Feet25.33

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

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 4 in. (7.72 m)

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Meters7.72

Length overall - Inches241

Length overall - Inches304

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine makeVolvo Penta

Engine modelMerCruiser

Engine model5.7 GXi

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 max400 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum capacity2,000 lbs. (907 kg)

Maximum people10 or 1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum people12 or 1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all23 ft. 5 in. (7.14 m)

Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Glastron DS 205 2011 vs Glastron GLS 255 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 2011 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

The Glastron GLS 255 2011 is the longer of the two at 25,3 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 2011 comes in at 20,1 feet, making it roughly 5,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DS 205 2011 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 2011 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 46 lbs for the Glastron GLS 255 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 GLS 255 2011 is rated to a maximum of 400 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DS 205 2011 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 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Glastron GLS 255 2011 is certified for 12. 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 2011 and Glastron GLS 255 2011 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 2011 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

The Glastron GLS 255 2011 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 2011. 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 2011 and Glastron GLS 255 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 2011 and the Glastron GLS 255 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.

← Glastron DS 205 2011 full specs ← Glastron GLS 255 2011 full specs