Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GX 185 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 or the Glastron GX 185 2006?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 is the longer of the two at 20,8 feet overall. The Glastron GX 185 2006 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 GX 185 2006?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 275 lbs for the Glastron GX 185 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 DS 215 DB 2012 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron GX 185 2006 tops out at 225 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 GX 185 2006 is certified for 5. 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 91" for the Glastron GX 185 2006. 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 GX 185 2006?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Glastron GX 185 2006. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GX 185 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and the Glastron GX 185 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 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GX 185 2006

Glastron

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012

2012

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Glastron

Glastron GX 185 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GX 185 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GX 185 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 at 20,8 ft versus Glastron GX 185 2006 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GX 185 2006 tips the scales at 275 lbs — 239 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 75-hp advantage over the Glastron GX 185 2006's 225-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 DS 215 DB 2012 carries 56 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Glastron GX 185 2006. 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 GX 185 2006 caps at 5. 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 GX 185 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelDS 215 DB

ModelGX 185

Model Year2012

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam91 in. (2.31 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches91

Deadrise16°

Deadrise21℃

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

Depth - Detail43 in. (1.09 m) Cockpit: 29.5 in. (.75 m)

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Centimeters109.22

Depth - Inches57.5

Depth - Inches43

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

Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (.74 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inches29

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

Weight - Detailw/ 4.3 GL Volvo Penta?: 2,750 lbs. (1,247 kg)

Weight - kg1632.93

Weight - kg1247.38

Weight - lbs.36

Weight - lbs.275

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 - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 m)

Length overall - Meters6.38

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches251

Length overall - Inches216

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

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 - Detail29 gal. (110 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower220 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max300 hp

Engine max225 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard3.0 GL Volvo Penta?

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum capacity1,200 lbs. (544 kg)

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

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GX 185 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 or the Glastron GX 185 2006?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 is the longer of the two at 20,8 feet overall. The Glastron GX 185 2006 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 GX 185 2006?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 275 lbs for the Glastron GX 185 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 DS 215 DB 2012 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron GX 185 2006 tops out at 225 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 GX 185 2006 is certified for 5. 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 91" for the Glastron GX 185 2006. 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 GX 185 2006?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Glastron GX 185 2006. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GX 185 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and the Glastron GX 185 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 215 DB 2012 full specs ← Glastron GX 185 2006 full specs