Glastron DS 215 2011 vs Glastron GS 279 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 2011 or the Glastron GS 279 2008?

The Glastron GS 279 2008 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 2011 comes in at 20,8 feet, making it roughly 6,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DS 215 2011 or the Glastron GS 279 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 2011 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 6 225 lbs for the Glastron GS 279 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 GS 279 2008 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DS 215 2011 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 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GS 279 2008 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 2011 and Glastron GS 279 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron DS 215 2011 or the Glastron GS 279 2008?

The Glastron GS 279 2008 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 56 gallons on the Glastron DS 215 2011. 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 2011 and Glastron GS 279 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 2011 and the Glastron GS 279 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 2011 vs Glastron GS 279 2008

Glastron

Glastron DS 215 2011

2011

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Glastron

Glastron GS 279 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 215 2011 vs Glastron GS 279 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Glastron DS 215 2011 against a deep vee Glastron GS 279 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 GS 279 2008 measures 27,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 6,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DS 215 2011 at 20,8 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GS 279 2008 tips the scales at 6 225 lbs — 6 189 lbs less than the Glastron DS 215 2011 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 300 hp for the Glastron DS 215 2011 and 320 hp for the Glastron GS 279 2008. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Glastron GS 279 2008 carries 72 gallons versus 56 gallons in the Glastron DS 215 2011. 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 2011 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GS 279 2008 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron DS 215 2011 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 GS 279 2008 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 Year2011

Model Year2008

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. (0.91 m)

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Centimeters226.06

Depth - Inches57.5

Depth - Inches89

Draft [drive up] - Detail14 in. (0.36 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.36

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches14

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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) with engine

Weight - Detail6,225 lbs. (2,823 kg) w/5.0 GXi Volvo Penta

Weight - kg1632.93

Weight - kg2823.61

Weight - lbs.36

Weight - lbs.6225

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

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

Length - Feet20.83

Length - Feet27

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

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.36

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine model5.0L MPI MerCruiser

Engine modelnot available

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

Drive typeI/O

Engine max300 hp

Engine max320 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

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

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people13 or 1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Headnot available

HeadManual china

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity18 gal

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Glastron DS 215 2011 vs Glastron GS 279 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 2011 or the Glastron GS 279 2008?

The Glastron GS 279 2008 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 2011 comes in at 20,8 feet, making it roughly 6,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DS 215 2011 or the Glastron GS 279 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 2011 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 6 225 lbs for the Glastron GS 279 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 GS 279 2008 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DS 215 2011 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 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GS 279 2008 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 2011 and Glastron GS 279 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron DS 215 2011 or the Glastron GS 279 2008?

The Glastron GS 279 2008 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 56 gallons on the Glastron DS 215 2011. 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 2011 and Glastron GS 279 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 2011 and the Glastron GS 279 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 2011 full specs ← Glastron GS 279 2008 full specs