Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GLS 255 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 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 215 DB 2012 comes in at 20,8 feet, making it roughly 4,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 or the Glastron GLS 255 2009?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the edge at 36 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Glastron GLS 255 2009 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 13 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 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GLS 255 2009 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GLS 255 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 56 gallons and 56 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GLS 255 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 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 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GLS 255 2009

Glastron

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012

2012

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Glastron

Glastron GLS 255 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GLS 255 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 against a deep vee Glastron GLS 255 2009 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 2009 measures 25,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 at 20,8 feet (2012). At 36 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 Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 carries a rated maximum of 300 hp. Engine data for the Glastron GLS 255 2009 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 56 gal and 56 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GLS 255 2009 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 20,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GLS 255 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelDS 215 DB

ModelGLS 255

Model Year2012

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise16°

Deadrise21℃

Depth - Detail57.5 in. (1.46 m) Cockpit: 28.5 in. (0.72 m)

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

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Centimeters152.4

Depth - Inches57.5

Depth - Inches59.5

Draft [max] - Detail30 in. (0.76 m)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inches37

Weight - Detail3,600 lbs. (1,633 kg)

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

Weight - kg1632.93

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - lbs.36

Weight - lbs.46

Width [transom] - Detail96 in. (2.44 m)

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

Length - Feet20.83

Length - Feet25

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 11 in. (6.38 m)

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

Length overall - Meters6.38

Length overall - Meters7.72

Length overall - Inches251

Length overall - Inches304

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.72

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches4

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine model4.3L MPI EC MerCruiser

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower220 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max300 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum capacity2,000 lbs. (907 kg)

Maximum people13 or 1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Maximum people12

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all23 ft. 9 in. (7.24 m)

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

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GLS 255 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 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 215 DB 2012 comes in at 20,8 feet, making it roughly 4,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 or the Glastron GLS 255 2009?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the edge at 36 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Glastron GLS 255 2009 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 13 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 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GLS 255 2009 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GLS 255 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 56 gallons and 56 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GLS 255 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 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 215 DB 2012 full specs ← Glastron GLS 255 2009 full specs