Glastron DS 215 2009 vs Glastron GS 279 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 2009 or the Glastron GS 279 2006?

The Glastron GS 279 2006 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 2009 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 25,0 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 GS 279 2006?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 2009 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 62 lbs for the Glastron GS 279 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Glastron GS 279 2006 has a documented max rating of 320 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 GS 279 2006 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Glastron DS 215 2009 and Glastron GS 279 2006 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 2009 or the Glastron GS 279 2006?

The Glastron GS 279 2006 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 56 gallons on the Glastron DS 215 2009. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron DS 215 2009 and Glastron GS 279 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 2009 and the Glastron GS 279 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 2009 vs Glastron GS 279 2006

Glastron

Glastron DS 215 2009

2009

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Glastron

Glastron GS 279 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 215 2009 vs Glastron GS 279 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron DS 215 2009 vs Glastron GS 279 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Glastron GS 279 2006 measures 27,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 25,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DS 215 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). At 36 lbs and 62 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The Glastron GS 279 2006 tops out at 320 hp. Engine specs for the Glastron DS 215 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Glastron GS 279 2006 carries 72 gallons versus 56 gallons in the Glastron DS 215 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 2009 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GS 279 2006 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 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 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GS 279 2006 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

ModelGS 279

Model Year2009

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise16℃

Deadrise20℃

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

Depth - Detail89 in. (2.26 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (.91 m)

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Centimeters226.06

Depth - Inches57.5

Depth - Inches89

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

Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters1.02

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inches4

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

Weight - Detailw/ 5.0 GL Volvo Penta?: 6,200 lbs. (2,812 kg)

Weight - kg1632.93

Weight - kg2812.27

Weight - lbs.36

Weight - lbs.62

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

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

Length - Meters6.38

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet2

Length - Feet27

Length - Inches11

Length - Inches5

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

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 5 in. (8.36 m)

Length overall - Meters6.38

Length overall - Meters8.36

Length overall - Inches251

Length overall - Inches329

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard5.0 GXi Volvo Penta?

Engine maxnot available

Engine max320 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people13

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Glastron DS 215 2009 vs Glastron GS 279 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 2009 or the Glastron GS 279 2006?

The Glastron GS 279 2006 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 2009 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 25,0 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 GS 279 2006?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 2009 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 62 lbs for the Glastron GS 279 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Glastron GS 279 2006 has a documented max rating of 320 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 GS 279 2006 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Glastron DS 215 2009 and Glastron GS 279 2006 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 2009 or the Glastron GS 279 2006?

The Glastron GS 279 2006 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 56 gallons on the Glastron DS 215 2009. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron DS 215 2009 and Glastron GS 279 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 2009 and the Glastron GS 279 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 2009 full specs ← Glastron GS 279 2006 full specs