Glastron DX 235 2006 boat specs
Glastron
Glastron DX 235 2006
2006
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VS
Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 boat specs
Glastron
Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008
2008
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Glastron DX 235 2006 vs Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron DX 235 2006 vs Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 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 DX 235 2006 measures 22,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 at 18,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 tips the scales at 274 lbs — 270 lbs less than the Glastron DX 235 2006 at 4 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 DX 235 2006 has a 75-hp advantage over the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008's 225-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 DX 235 2006 carries 73 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008. 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 DX 235 2006 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron DX 235 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron DX 235 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeGlastron
MakeGlastron
ModelDX 235
ModelGXL 185 Ski & Fish
Model Year2006
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in. (2.59 m)
Beam91 in. (2.31 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches91
Deadrise15℃
Deadrise21℃
Depth - Detail60 in. (1.52 m) Cockpit: 31 in. (.79 m)
Depth - Detail43 in. (1.09 m) Cockpit: 29.5 in. (0.75 m)
Depth - Centimeters152.4
Depth - Centimeters109.22
Depth - Inches6
Depth - Inches43
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.79 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detailw/ 5.7 GL Volvo Penta?: 4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg)
Weight - Detail2,740 lbs. (1,243 kg) w/4.3 GL Volvo Penta
Weight - kg1814.37
Weight - kg1242.84
Weight - lbs.4
Weight - lbs.274
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (2.39 m)
Width [transom] - Detail86 in. (2.18 m)
Length - Feet22
Length - Feet18
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Meters6.86
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Inches27
Length overall - Inches216
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.49
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard5.0 GL Volvo Penta?
Engine/s standard3.0 GL Volvo Penta (135 hp)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail73 gal. (276 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal. (110 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters276.33
Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78
Fuel tank capacity - Gal73
Fuel tank capacity - Gal29
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max300 hp
Engine max225 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,950 lbs. (885 kg)
Maximum capacity1,200 lbs. (544 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailEZ Loader GM 3500S (painted)

Glastron DX 235 2006 vs Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DX 235 2006 or the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008?
The Glastron DX 235 2006 is the longer of the two at 22,0 feet overall. The Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DX 235 2006 or the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008?
For trailering, the Glastron DX 235 2006 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 274 lbs for the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 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 DX 235 2006 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 tops out at 225 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 235 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 is certified for 5. 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 DX 235 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008. 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 DX 235 2006 or the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008?
The Glastron DX 235 2006 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008. That 44-gallon difference translates to roughly 132–220 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Glastron DX 235 2006 and Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Glastron DX 235 2006 and the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 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.