Glastron DS 215 2011 vs Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 2011 or the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013?

The Glastron DS 215 2011 is the longer of the two at 20,8 feet overall. The Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 comes in at 18,4 feet, making it roughly 2,4 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 MX 185 SF 2013?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 2011 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 2 335 lbs for the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013. 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 DS 215 2011 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 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 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Glastron DS 215 2011 measures 102" wide, compared to 88" for the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013. 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 2011 or the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013?

The Glastron DS 215 2011 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013. That 32-gallon difference translates to roughly 96–160 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron DS 215 2011 and Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 2011 and the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 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 MX 185 SF 2013

Glastron

Glastron DS 215 2011

2011

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Glastron

Glastron MX 185 SF 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 215 2011 vs Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Glastron DS 215 2011 against a deep vee Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Glastron DS 215 2011 at 20,8 ft versus Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 at 18,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 tips the scales at 2 335 lbs — 2 299 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.

The Glastron DS 215 2011 carries a rated maximum of 300 hp. Engine data for the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Glastron DS 215 2011 carries 56 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013. 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 MX 185 SF 2013 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 MX 185 SF 2013 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

ModelMX 185 SF

Model Year2011

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam88 in. (2.24 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.24

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches88

Deadrise16°

Deadrise21°

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

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches57.5

Depth - Inchesnot available

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 in. (79 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inches31

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

Weight - Detail2,335 lbs. (1,059 kg)

Weight - kg1632.93

Weight - kg1059.14

Weight - lbs.36

Weight - lbs.2335

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

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

Length - Feet20.83

Length - Feet18.42

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

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)

Length overall - Meters6.38

Length overall - Meters5.61

Length overall - Inches251

Length overall - Inches221

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail44 in. (1.12 m)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.12

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches44

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 - Detail24 gal. (91 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max300 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

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

Maximum people8

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 10 in. (6.65 m)

Glastron DS 215 2011 vs Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 2011 or the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013?

The Glastron DS 215 2011 is the longer of the two at 20,8 feet overall. The Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 comes in at 18,4 feet, making it roughly 2,4 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 MX 185 SF 2013?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 2011 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 2 335 lbs for the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013. 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 DS 215 2011 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 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 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Glastron DS 215 2011 measures 102" wide, compared to 88" for the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013. 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 2011 or the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013?

The Glastron DS 215 2011 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013. That 32-gallon difference translates to roughly 96–160 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron DS 215 2011 and Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 2011 and the Glastron MX 185 SF 2013 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 MX 185 SF 2013 full specs