Glastron DS 205 2013 vs Glastron GLS 255 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 2013 or the Glastron GLS 255 2009?

The Glastron GLS 255 2009 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 2013 comes in at 20,1 feet, making it roughly 4,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DS 205 2013 or the Glastron GLS 255 2009?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 2013 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 46 lbs for the Glastron GLS 255 2009. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Glastron DS 205 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Glastron GLS 255 2009 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 2013 and Glastron GLS 255 2009 share an 8 ft. 6 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 2013 or the Glastron GLS 255 2009?

The Glastron GLS 255 2009 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 2013. 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 2013 and Glastron GLS 255 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 2013 and the Glastron GLS 255 2009 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 2013 vs Glastron GLS 255 2009

Glastron

Glastron DS 205 2013

2013

View full specs →

Glastron

Glastron GLS 255 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 205 2013 vs Glastron GLS 255 2009 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Glastron DS 205 2013 and the Glastron GLS 255 2009 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Glastron GLS 255 2009 measures 25,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DS 205 2013 at 20,1 feet (2013). 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Glastron GLS 255 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Glastron DS 205 2013 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GLS 255 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GLS 255 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron DS 205 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelDS 205

ModelGLS 255

Model Year2013

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise17°

Deadrise21℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (33 cm)

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. (71 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.86 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches28

Draft [max] - Inches37

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

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

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)

Height - Detail4 ft. 8 in. (1.28 m)

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.42

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches56

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Feet20.08

Length - Feet25

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

Depth - Detailnot available

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

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters152.4

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches59.5

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.72

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches4

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

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 typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum capacity2,000 lbs. (907 kg)

Maximum people1

Maximum people12

Trailer Info

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

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

Trailer - Weight1,086 lbs. (493 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Glastron DS 205 2013 vs Glastron GLS 255 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 205 2013 or the Glastron GLS 255 2009?

The Glastron GLS 255 2009 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 205 2013 comes in at 20,1 feet, making it roughly 4,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DS 205 2013 or the Glastron GLS 255 2009?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 205 2013 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 46 lbs for the Glastron GLS 255 2009. 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Glastron DS 205 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Glastron GLS 255 2009 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 2013 and Glastron GLS 255 2009 share an 8 ft. 6 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 2013 or the Glastron GLS 255 2009?

The Glastron GLS 255 2009 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DS 205 2013. 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 2013 and Glastron GLS 255 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 205 2013 and the Glastron GLS 255 2009 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 2013 full specs ← Glastron GLS 255 2009 full specs