Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 or the Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007?

The Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 comes in at 20,8 feet, making it roughly 6,2 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 GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 618 lbs for the Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007. 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 DS 215 DB 2012 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 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 215 DB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 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 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 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 215 DB 2012 or the Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007?

The Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 56 gallons on the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and the Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 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 GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007

Glastron

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012

2012

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Glastron

Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 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 Sport Cruiser 2007 measures 27,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 6,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 at 20,8 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 tips the scales at 618 lbs — 582 lbs less than the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 at 36 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 DS 215 DB 2012 has a 30-hp advantage over the Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007'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 Sport Cruiser 2007 carries 72 gallons versus 56 gallons in the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012. 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 215 DB 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 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 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 GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 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 215 DB

ModelGS 279 Sport Cruiser

Model Year2012

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise16°

Deadrise20℃

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

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

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Centimeters226.06

Depth - Inches57.5

Depth - Inches89

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

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters1.02

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inches4

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

Weight - Detail6,180 lbs. (2,803 kg) w/5.0 GL Volvo Penta

Weight - kg1632.93

Weight - kg2803.2

Weight - lbs.36

Weight - lbs.618

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

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

Length - Feet20.83

Length - Feet27

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

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

Length overall - Meters6.38

Length overall - Meters8.36

Length overall - Inches251

Length overall - Inches329

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.36

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

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 - Detail72 gal. (273 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower220 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max300 hp

Engine max270 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard5.0 GXi Volvo Penta

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

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

Maximum peoplenot available

Headnot available

HeadManual china

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 or the Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007?

The Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 comes in at 20,8 feet, making it roughly 6,2 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 GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 618 lbs for the Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007. 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 DS 215 DB 2012 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 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 215 DB 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 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 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 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 215 DB 2012 or the Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007?

The Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 56 gallons on the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and the Glastron GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 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 GS 279 Sport Cruiser 2007 full specs