Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 or the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007?

The Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 comes in at 20,8 feet, making it roughly 2,2 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 2007?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 3 025 lbs for the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 is certified for 7. 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 2007?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 47 gallons on the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 2007

Glastron

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012

2012

View full specs →

Glastron

Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 at 20,8 ft versus Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 at 23,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 tips the scales at 3 025 lbs — 2 989 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 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 DS 215 DB 2012 carries 56 gallons versus 47 gallons in the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007. 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 caps at 7. 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelDS 215 DB

ModelGXL 235 Bowrider

Model Year2012

Model Year2007

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 - Detail53 in. (1.35 m) Cockpit: 37 in. (.94 m)

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Centimeters134.62

Depth - Inches57.5

Depth - Inches53

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

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (.84 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inches33

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

Weight - Detail3,025 lbs. (1,370 kg) w/5.0 GL Volvo Penta

Weight - kg1632.93

Weight - kg1372.12

Weight - lbs.36

Weight - lbs.3025

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

Width [transom] - Detail98 in. (2.49 m)

Length - Feet20.83

Length - Feet23

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

Length overall - Detail23 ft. (7.01 m)

Length overall - Meters6.38

Length overall - Meters7.01

Length overall - Inches251

Length overall - Inches276

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.01

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 - Detail47 gal. (178 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters177.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal47

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 capacity1,650 lbs. (748 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

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailEZ Loader EXL 5200 (painted)

Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 vs Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 or the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007?

The Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 comes in at 20,8 feet, making it roughly 2,2 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 2007?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 3 025 lbs for the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 is certified for 7. 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 2007?

The Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 47 gallons on the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 DB 2012 and the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 full specs