Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Glastron DS 215 2011 vs Glastron GXL 205 Ski & Fish 2007: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Glastron DS 215 2011 vs Glastron GXL 205 Ski & Fish 2007 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Glastron DS 215 2011 at 20,8 ft versus Glastron GXL 205 Ski & Fish 2007 at 19,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron DS 215 2011 tips the scales at 3 600 lbs - 525 lbs more than the Glastron GXL 205 Ski & Fish 2007 at 3 075 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 300 hp, the Glastron DS 215 2011 has a 110-hp advantage over the Glastron GXL 205 Ski & Fish 2007's 190-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Glastron DS 215 2011 carries 56 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Glastron GXL 205 Ski & Fish 2007. 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 GXL 205 Ski & Fish 2007 caps at 6. 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 GXL 205 Ski & Fish 2007 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
ModelDS 215
ModelGXL 205 Ski & Fish
Model Year2011
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in. (2.59 m)
Beam96 in. (2.44 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches96
Deadrise16°
Deadrise21℃
Depth - Detail57.5 in. (1.46 m) Cockpit: 28.5 in. (0.72 m)
Depth - Detail45.75 in. (1.16 m) Cockpit: 32 in. (.81 m)
Depth - Centimeters147.32
Depth - Centimeters116.84
Depth - Inches57.5
Depth - Inches45.75
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] - Detail31.5 in. (.80 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.76
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Inches30
Draft [max] - Inches31.5
Weight - Detail3,600 lbs. (1,633 kg) with engine
Weight - Detail3,075 lbs. (1,395 kg) w/5.0 GL Volvo Penta
Weight - kg1632.93
Weight - kg1394.8
Weight - lbs.3600
Weight - lbs.3075
Width [transom] - Detail96 in. (2.44 m)
Width [transom] - Detail92 in. (2.34 m)
Length - Feet20.83
Length - Feet19
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 11 in. (6.38 m)
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 11 in. (6.07 m)
Length overall - Meters6.38
Length overall - Meters6.07
Length overall - Inches251
Length overall - Inches239
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.07
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches11
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
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 - Detail35 gal. (132 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max300 hp
Engine max190 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard4.3 GL Volvo Penta
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)
Maximum capacity1,475 lbs. (669 kg)
Maximum people13 or 1,800 lbs. (816 kg)
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 EXL 4000 (painted)