Glastron DS 215 2009 vs Glastron GLS 255 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Glastron DS 215 2009 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

The Glastron GLS 255 2011 is the longer of the two at 25,3 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 2009 comes in at 20,0 feet, making it roughly 5,3 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Glastron DS 215 2009 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 2009 has the edge at 3 600 lbs dry weight versus 4 600 lbs for the Glastron GLS 255 2011. 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 GLS 255 2011 has a documented max rating of 400 hp. Engine specifications for the Glastron DS 215 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 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GLS 255 2011 is certified for 12. 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 2009 and Glastron GLS 255 2011 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 2009 and Glastron GLS 255 2011?

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 2009 and Glastron GLS 255 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Glastron DS 215 2009 and the Glastron GLS 255 2011 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 2009 vs Glastron GLS 255 2011

Glastron

Glastron DS 215 2009

2009

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Glastron

Glastron GLS 255 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 215 2009 vs Glastron GLS 255 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron DS 215 2009 is a modified-V design and the Glastron GLS 255 2011 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 GLS 255 2011 measures 25,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 5,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DS 215 2009 at 20,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GLS 255 2011 tips the scales at 4 600 lbs - 1 000 lbs less than the Glastron DS 215 2009 at 3 600 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 GLS 255 2011 tops out at 400 hp. Engine specs for the Glastron DS 215 2009 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.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 DS 215 2009 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GLS 255 2011 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron DS 215 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron DS 215 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 13 passengers and at 20,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GLS 255 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelDS 215

ModelGLS 255

Model Year2009

Model Year2011

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 - Detail59.5 in. (1.51 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (0.91 m) Maximum: 72.5 in. (1.84 m)

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Centimeters185.42

Depth - Inches57.5

Depth - Inches72.5

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

Weight - Detail4,600 lbs. (2,087 kg) with engine

Weight - kg1632.93

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - lbs.3600

Weight - lbs.4600

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

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

Length - Meters6.38

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet20

Length - Feet25.33

Length - Inches11

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 4 in. (7.72 m)

Length overall - Meters6.38

Length overall - Meters7.72

Length overall - Inches251

Length overall - Inches304

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail18.5 in. (0.47 m)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.48

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches18.5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine makenot available

Engine makeVolvo Penta

Engine modelnot available

Engine model5.7 GXi

Engine maxnot available

Engine max400 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum capacity2,000 lbs. (907 kg)

Maximum people13

Maximum people12 or 1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Glastron DS 215 2009 vs Glastron GLS 255 2011 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Glastron DS 215 2009 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

The Glastron GLS 255 2011 is the longer of the two at 25,3 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 2009 comes in at 20,0 feet, making it roughly 5,3 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Glastron DS 215 2009 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 2009 has the edge at 3 600 lbs dry weight versus 4 600 lbs for the Glastron GLS 255 2011. 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 GLS 255 2011 has a documented max rating of 400 hp. Engine specifications for the Glastron DS 215 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 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GLS 255 2011 is certified for 12. 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 2009 and Glastron GLS 255 2011 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 2009 and Glastron GLS 255 2011?

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 2009 and Glastron GLS 255 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Glastron DS 215 2009 and the Glastron GLS 255 2011 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 2009 full specs ← Glastron GLS 255 2011 full specs