Glastron DS 205 2011 vs Glastron GS 279 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 2011 or the Glastron GS 279 2006?

The Glastron GS 279 2006 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 2011 comes in at 20,1 feet, making it roughly 6,9 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 GS 279 2006?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 2011 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 62 lbs for the Glastron GS 279 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 279 2006 is rated to a maximum of 320 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 GS 279 2006 is certified for 8. 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 GS 279 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 2011 or the Glastron GS 279 2006?

The Glastron GS 279 2006 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 2011. That 67-gallon difference translates to roughly 201–335 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron DS 205 2011 and Glastron GS 279 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 2011 and the Glastron GS 279 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 2011 vs Glastron GS 279 2006

Glastron

Glastron DS 205 2011

2011

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Glastron

Glastron GS 279 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 205 2011 vs Glastron GS 279 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron DS 205 2011 vs Glastron GS 279 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 279 2006 measures 27,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 6,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DS 205 2011 at 20,1 feet (2011). At 29 lbs and 62 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 320 hp, the Glastron GS 279 2006 has a 50-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 GS 279 2006 carries 72 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 DS 205 2011 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Glastron GS 279 2006 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron DS 205 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron DS 205 2011 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 GS 279 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelDS 205

ModelGS 279

Model Year2011

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) Maximum: 59 in. (1.5 m)

Depth - Detail89 in. (2.26 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (.91 m)

Depth - Centimeters149.86

Depth - Centimeters226.06

Depth - Inches59

Depth - Inches89

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches13

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Meters1.02

Draft [max] - Inches28

Draft [max] - Inches4

Weight - Detail2,900 lbs. (1,315 kg) with engine

Weight - Detailw/ 5.0 GL Volvo Penta?: 6,200 lbs. (2,812 kg)

Weight - kg1315.42

Weight - kg2812.27

Weight - lbs.29

Weight - lbs.62

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

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

Length - Feet20.08

Length - Feet27

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

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 5 in. (8.36 m)

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Meters8.36

Length overall - Inches241

Length overall - Inches329

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine modelMerCruiser

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine max270 hp

Engine max320 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard5.0 GXi Volvo Penta?

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

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

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Glastron DS 205 2011 vs Glastron GS 279 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 2011 or the Glastron GS 279 2006?

The Glastron GS 279 2006 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 2011 comes in at 20,1 feet, making it roughly 6,9 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 GS 279 2006?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 2011 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 62 lbs for the Glastron GS 279 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 279 2006 is rated to a maximum of 320 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 GS 279 2006 is certified for 8. 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 GS 279 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 2011 or the Glastron GS 279 2006?

The Glastron GS 279 2006 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 2011. That 67-gallon difference translates to roughly 201–335 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron DS 205 2011 and Glastron GS 279 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 2011 and the Glastron GS 279 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 2011 full specs ← Glastron GS 279 2006 full specs