Glastron DX 205 2006 vs Glastron GLS 255 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DX 205 2006 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

The Glastron GLS 255 2011 is the longer of the two at 25,3 feet overall. The Glastron DX 205 2006 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 23,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DX 205 2006 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

For trailering, the Glastron GLS 255 2011 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 2 937 lbs for the Glastron DX 205 2006. 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 GLS 255 2011 is rated to a maximum of 400 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DX 205 2006 tops out at 270 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 DX 205 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Glastron GLS 255 2011 is certified for 12. 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 DX 205 2006 and Glastron GLS 255 2011 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 DX 205 2006 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

The Glastron GLS 255 2011 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DX 205 2006. That 51-gallon difference translates to roughly 153–255 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron DX 205 2006 and Glastron GLS 255 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DX 205 2006 and the Glastron GLS 255 2011 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 DX 205 2006 vs Glastron GLS 255 2011

Glastron

Glastron DX 205 2006

2006

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Glastron

Glastron GLS 255 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DX 205 2006 vs Glastron GLS 255 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron DX 205 2006 vs Glastron GLS 255 2011 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Glastron GLS 255 2011 measures 25,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 23,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DX 205 2006 at 2,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron DX 205 2006 tips the scales at 2 937 lbs — 2 891 lbs more than the Glastron GLS 255 2011 at 46 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 400 hp, the Glastron GLS 255 2011 has a 130-hp advantage over the Glastron DX 205 2006's 270-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 GLS 255 2011 carries 56 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Glastron DX 205 2006. 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 GLS 255 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Glastron DX 205 2006 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GLS 255 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GLS 255 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 25,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron DX 205 2006 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

MakeGlastron

ModelDX 205

ModelGLS 255

Model Year2006

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise21℃

Depth - Detail50.5 in. (1.28 m) Cockpit: 35 in. (.89 m)

Depth - Detail59.5 in. (1.51 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (0.91 m) Maximum: 72.5 in. (1.84 m)

Depth - Centimeters129.54

Depth - Centimeters185.42

Depth - Inches50.5

Depth - Inches72.5

Draft [max] - Detail28 in. (.71 m)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches28

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detailw/ 4.3 GL Volvo Penta?: 2,937 lbs. (1,332 kg)

Weight - Detail4,600 lbs. (2,087 kg) with engine

Weight - kg1332.2

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - lbs.2937

Weight - lbs.46

Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (2.39 m)

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

Length - Feet2

Length - Feet25.33

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 1 in. (6.12 m)

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 4 in. (7.72 m)

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Meters7.72

Length overall - Inches241

Length overall - Inches304

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail18.5 in. (0.47 m)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.48

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches18.5

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard4.3 GL Volvo Penta?

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Drive typeI/O

Engine max270 hp

Engine max400 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeVolvo Penta

Engine modelnot available

Engine model5.7 GXi

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,400 lbs. (635 kg)

Maximum capacity2,000 lbs. (907 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people12 or 1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Glastron DX 205 2006 vs Glastron GLS 255 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DX 205 2006 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

The Glastron GLS 255 2011 is the longer of the two at 25,3 feet overall. The Glastron DX 205 2006 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 23,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DX 205 2006 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

For trailering, the Glastron GLS 255 2011 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 2 937 lbs for the Glastron DX 205 2006. 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 GLS 255 2011 is rated to a maximum of 400 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DX 205 2006 tops out at 270 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 DX 205 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Glastron GLS 255 2011 is certified for 12. 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 DX 205 2006 and Glastron GLS 255 2011 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 DX 205 2006 or the Glastron GLS 255 2011?

The Glastron GLS 255 2011 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Glastron DX 205 2006. That 51-gallon difference translates to roughly 153–255 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron DX 205 2006 and Glastron GLS 255 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DX 205 2006 and the Glastron GLS 255 2011 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 DX 205 2006 full specs ← Glastron GLS 255 2011 full specs