Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GT 185 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 or the Glastron GT 185 2009?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 is the longer of the two at 20,8 feet overall. The Glastron GT 185 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 2,8 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 GT 185 2009?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 2 315 lbs for the Glastron GT 185 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 GT 185 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 GT 185 2009 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 88" for the Glastron GT 185 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 or the Glastron GT 185 2009?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Glastron GT 185 2009. That 33-gallon difference translates to roughly 99–165 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GT 185 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and the Glastron GT 185 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 GT 185 2009

Glastron

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012

2012

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Glastron

Glastron GT 185 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GT 185 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 against a deep vee Glastron GT 185 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 at 20,8 ft versus Glastron GT 185 2009 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GT 185 2009 tips the scales at 2 315 lbs — 2 279 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 Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 carries a rated maximum of 300 hp. Engine data for the Glastron GT 185 2009 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 carries 56 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Glastron GT 185 2009. 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 GT 185 2009 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 GT 185 2009 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

ModelGT 185

Model Year2012

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam88 in. (2.24 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.24

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches88

Deadrise16°

Deadrise21℃

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

Depth - Detail44 in. (1.12 m) Cockpit: 28.5 in. (0.72 m)

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Centimeters111.76

Depth - Inches57.5

Depth - Inches44

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

Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.79 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inches31

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

Weight - Detail2,315 lbs. (1,050 kg)

Weight - kg1632.93

Weight - kg1050.07

Weight - lbs.36

Weight - lbs.2315

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

Width [transom] - Detail86 in. (2.18 m)

Length - Feet20.83

Length - Feet18

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

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters6.38

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches251

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.61

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)

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 - Detail23 gal. (87 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower220 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max300 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

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

Maximum people8

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 10 in. (6.65 m)

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GT 185 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 or the Glastron GT 185 2009?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 is the longer of the two at 20,8 feet overall. The Glastron GT 185 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 2,8 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 GT 185 2009?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 2 315 lbs for the Glastron GT 185 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 GT 185 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 GT 185 2009 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 88" for the Glastron GT 185 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 or the Glastron GT 185 2009?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Glastron GT 185 2009. That 33-gallon difference translates to roughly 99–165 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GT 185 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and the Glastron GT 185 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 GT 185 2009 full specs