Glastron DX 215 2011 vs Glastron GS 259 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DX 215 2011 or the Glastron GS 259 2008?

The Glastron GS 259 2008 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Glastron DX 215 2011 comes in at 20,8 feet, making it roughly 3,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DX 215 2011 or the Glastron GS 259 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DX 215 2011 has the edge at 393 lbs dry weight versus 5 525 lbs for the Glastron GS 259 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 259 2008 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DX 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 DX 215 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GS 259 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 DX 215 2011 and Glastron GS 259 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Glastron DX 215 2011 and Glastron GS 259 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 DX 215 2011 and Glastron GS 259 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DX 215 2011 and the Glastron GS 259 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 DX 215 2011 vs Glastron GS 259 2008

Glastron

Glastron DX 215 2011

2011

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Glastron

Glastron GS 259 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DX 215 2011 vs Glastron GS 259 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Glastron DX 215 2011 against a deep vee Glastron GS 259 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 259 2008 measures 24,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 3,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron DX 215 2011 at 20,8 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GS 259 2008 tips the scales at 5 525 lbs — 5 132 lbs less than the Glastron DX 215 2011 at 393 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 DX 215 2011 and 320 hp for the Glastron GS 259 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. 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 DX 215 2011 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GS 259 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 DX 215 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron DX 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 259 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

ModelDX 215

ModelGS 259

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) Maximum: 66.5 in. (1.69 m)

Depth - Detail84 in. (2.13 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (0.91 m)

Depth - Centimeters170.18

Depth - Centimeters213.36

Depth - Inches66.5

Depth - Inches84

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] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail3,930 lbs. (1,783 kg) with engine

Weight - Detail5,525 lbs. (2,506 kg) w/5.7 Gi Volvo Penta

Weight - kg1782.62

Weight - kg2506.1

Weight - lbs.393

Weight - lbs.5525

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

Length - Feet20.83

Length - Feet24

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

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 10 in. (7.57 m)

Length overall - Meters6.38

Length overall - Meters7.57

Length overall - Inches251

Length overall - Inches298

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.57

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

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 - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max300 hp

Engine max320 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard5.0 GL Volvo Penta (220 hp)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Maximum capacity2,240 lbs. (1,016 kg)

Maximum people13 or 1,600 lbs. (726 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity18 gal

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Glastron DX 215 2011 vs Glastron GS 259 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DX 215 2011 or the Glastron GS 259 2008?

The Glastron GS 259 2008 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Glastron DX 215 2011 comes in at 20,8 feet, making it roughly 3,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DX 215 2011 or the Glastron GS 259 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DX 215 2011 has the edge at 393 lbs dry weight versus 5 525 lbs for the Glastron GS 259 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 259 2008 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DX 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 DX 215 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GS 259 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 DX 215 2011 and Glastron GS 259 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Glastron DX 215 2011 and Glastron GS 259 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 DX 215 2011 and Glastron GS 259 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DX 215 2011 and the Glastron GS 259 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 DX 215 2011 full specs ← Glastron GS 259 2008 full specs