Glastron DS 215 2008 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Glastron DS 215 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

The Glastron GXL 255 2008 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 2008 comes in at 20,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Glastron DS 215 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 2008 has the edge at 3 630 lbs dry weight versus 4 675 lbs for the Glastron GXL 255 2008. 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 GXL 255 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DS 215 2008 tops out at 300 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 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 255 2008 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 2008 and Glastron GXL 255 2008 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 2008 and Glastron GXL 255 2008?

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 2008 and Glastron GXL 255 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Glastron DS 215 2008 and the Glastron GXL 255 2008 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 2008 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008

Glastron

Glastron DS 215 2008

2008

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Glastron

Glastron GXL 255 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 215 2008 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron DS 215 2008 is a modified-V design and the Glastron GXL 255 2008 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 GXL 255 2008 measures 25,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DS 215 2008 at 20,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GXL 255 2008 tips the scales at 4 675 lbs - 1 045 lbs less than the Glastron DS 215 2008 at 3 630 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 425 hp, the Glastron GXL 255 2008 has a 125-hp advantage over the Glastron DS 215 2008's 300-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. 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 GXL 255 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Glastron DS 215 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GXL 255 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GXL 255 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 7 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron DS 215 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelDS 215

ModelGXL 255

Model Year2008

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 - Detail57.5 in. (1.46 m) Cockpit: 37 in. (0.94 m)

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Inches57.5

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

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches30

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detail3,630 lbs. (1,650 kg) w/5.0 GL Volvo Penta

Weight - Detail4,675 lbs. (2,120 kg) w/5.7 Gi Volvo Penta

Weight - kg1646.54

Weight - kg2120.54

Weight - lbs.3630

Weight - lbs.4675

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

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

Length - Meters6.38

Length - Meters7.62

Length - Feet20

Length - Feet25

Length - Inches11

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail25 ft. (7.62 m)

Length overall - Meters6.38

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Inches251

Length overall - Inches300

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard4.3 GL Volvo Penta

Engine/s standard5.0 GXi Volvo Penta (270 hp)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max300 hp

Engine max425 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailEZ Loader GM 5200T (painted)

Trailer - DetailEZ Loader GM 5800T (painted)

Glastron DS 215 2008 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Glastron DS 215 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

The Glastron GXL 255 2008 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 2008 comes in at 20,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Glastron DS 215 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 2008 has the edge at 3 630 lbs dry weight versus 4 675 lbs for the Glastron GXL 255 2008. 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 GXL 255 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DS 215 2008 tops out at 300 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 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 255 2008 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 2008 and Glastron GXL 255 2008 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 2008 and Glastron GXL 255 2008?

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 2008 and Glastron GXL 255 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Glastron DS 215 2008 and the Glastron GXL 255 2008 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 2008 full specs ← Glastron GXL 255 2008 full specs