Glastron DS 215 2013 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 2013 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

The Glastron GXL 255 2008 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 2013 comes in at 20,9 feet, making it roughly 4,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DS 215 2013 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 2013 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 4 675 lbs for the Glastron GXL 255 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 255 2008 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Glastron DS 215 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 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 255 2008 is certified for 7. 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 2013 and Glastron GXL 255 2008 share an 8 ft. 6 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Glastron DS 215 2013 and Glastron GXL 255 2008?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 56 gallons and 56 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Glastron DS 215 2013 and Glastron GXL 255 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 2013 and the Glastron GXL 255 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 2013 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008

Glastron

Glastron DS 215 2013

2013

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Glastron

Glastron GXL 255 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DS 215 2013 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Glastron DS 215 2013 and the Glastron GXL 255 2008 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Glastron GXL 255 2008 measures 25,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 4,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DS 215 2013 at 20,9 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GXL 255 2008 tips the scales at 4 675 lbs — 4 639 lbs less than the Glastron DS 215 2013 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 255 2008 tops out at 425 hp. Engine specs for the Glastron DS 215 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 56 gal and 56 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Glastron DS 215 2013 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 255 2008 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron DS 215 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron DS 215 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 20,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GXL 255 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelDS 215

ModelGXL 255

Model Year2013

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise16°

Deadrise21℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail14 in. (36 cm)

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. (76 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inches34

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

Weight - Detail4,675 lbs. (2,120 kg) w/5.7 Gi Volvo Penta

Weight - kg1632.93

Weight - kg2120.54

Weight - lbs.36

Weight - lbs.4675

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

Width [transom] - Detail98 in. (2.49 m)

Height - Detail4 ft. 10 in. (1.46 m)

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.47

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches58

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Feet20.92

Length - Feet25

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

Length overall - Detail25 ft. (7.62 m)

Length overall - Meters6.38

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Inches251

Length overall - Inches3

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail57.5 in. (1.46 m) Cockpit: 37 in. (0.94 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches57.5

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.62

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas

Engine/s standardnot available

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

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max425 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Maximum people13

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight1,163 lbs. (528 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailEZ Loader GM 5800T (painted)

Glastron DS 215 2013 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DS 215 2013 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

The Glastron GXL 255 2008 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron DS 215 2013 comes in at 20,9 feet, making it roughly 4,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DS 215 2013 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DS 215 2013 has the edge at 36 lbs dry weight versus 4 675 lbs for the Glastron GXL 255 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 255 2008 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Glastron DS 215 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 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 255 2008 is certified for 7. 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 2013 and Glastron GXL 255 2008 share an 8 ft. 6 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Glastron DS 215 2013 and Glastron GXL 255 2008?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 56 gallons and 56 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Glastron DS 215 2013 and Glastron GXL 255 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DS 215 2013 and the Glastron GXL 255 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 2013 full specs ← Glastron GXL 255 2008 full specs