Glastron DS 215 2009 vs Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 2009 or the Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008?

The Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 2009 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 16,0 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 GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 2009 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 172 lbs for the Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 has a documented max rating of 150 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 GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 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 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008. 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 2009 or the Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008?

The Glastron DS 215 2009 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008. 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 2009 and Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 2009 and the Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 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 2009 vs Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008

Glastron

Glastron DS 215 2009

2009

View full specs →

Glastron

Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 215 2009 vs Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Glastron DS 215 2009 against a deep vee Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely 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 180 Ski & Fish 2008 measures 18,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 16,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DS 215 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 tips the scales at 172 lbs — 136 lbs less than the Glastron DS 215 2009 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 Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 tops out at 150 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 DS 215 2009 carries 56 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008. 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 GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 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 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 GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 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

ModelGXL 180 Ski & Fish

Model Year2009

Model Year2008

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. (0.75 m)

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Centimeters109.22

Depth - Inches57.5

Depth - Inches43

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

Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (0.74 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inches29

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

Weight - Detail1,720 lbs. (780 kg) w/o engine

Weight - kg1632.93

Weight - kg780.18

Weight - lbs.36

Weight - lbs.172

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

Width [transom] - Detail86 in. (2.18 m)

Length - Meters6.38

Length - Meters5.49

Length - Feet2

Length - Feet18

Length - Inches11

Length - Inchesnot available

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 typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

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

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeOutboard

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardYamaha 115 TLR

Engine maxnot available

Engine max150 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum capacity1,225 lbs. (556 kg)

Maximum people13

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 GM 3500S (painted)

Glastron DS 215 2009 vs Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 2009 or the Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008?

The Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 2009 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 16,0 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 GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 2009 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 172 lbs for the Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 has a documented max rating of 150 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 GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 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 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008. 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 2009 or the Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008?

The Glastron DS 215 2009 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008. 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 2009 and Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 2009 and the Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 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 2009 full specs ← Glastron GXL 180 Ski & Fish 2008 full specs