Glastron DX 235 2008 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DX 235 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

The Glastron GXL 255 2008 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron DX 235 2008 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DX 235 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DX 235 2008 has the edge at 4 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Glastron GXL 255 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DX 235 2008 tops out at 320 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 235 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 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 DX 235 2008 and Glastron GXL 255 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron DX 235 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

The Glastron DX 235 2008 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 56 gallons on the Glastron GXL 255 2008. That 17-gallon difference translates to roughly 51–85 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron DX 235 2008 and Glastron GXL 255 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DX 235 2008 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 DX 235 2008 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008

Glastron

Glastron DX 235 2008

2008

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Glastron

Glastron GXL 255 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron DX 235 2008 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Glastron DX 235 2008 against a deep vee Glastron GXL 255 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Glastron DX 235 2008 at 22,0 ft versus Glastron GXL 255 2008 at 25,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GXL 255 2008 tips the scales at 4 675 lbs — 4 671 lbs less than the Glastron DX 235 2008 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 425 hp, the Glastron GXL 255 2008 has a 105-hp advantage over the Glastron DX 235 2008's 320-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 2008 carries 73 gallons versus 56 gallons in the Glastron GXL 255 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 GXL 255 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Glastron DX 235 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GXL 255 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GXL 255 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron DX 235 2008 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 235

ModelGXL 255

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise15℃

Deadrise21℃

Depth - Detail60 in. (1.52 m) Cockpit: 31 in. (0.79 m)

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

Depth - Centimeters152.4

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Inches6

Depth - Inches57.5

Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.81 m)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detail4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg) w/5.7 Gi Volvo Penta

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

Weight - kg1814.37

Weight - kg2120.54

Weight - lbs.4

Weight - lbs.4675

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

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

Length - Meters6.86

Length - Meters7.62

Length - Feet22

Length - Feet25

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m)

Length overall - Detail25 ft. (7.62 m)

Length overall - Meters6.86

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Inches27

Length overall - Inches3

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

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

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

Fuel tank capacity - Detail73 gal. (276 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters276.33

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal73

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max320 hp

Engine max425 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,950 lbs. (885 kg)

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailEZ Loader GM 5800T (painted)

Glastron DX 235 2008 vs Glastron GXL 255 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron DX 235 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

The Glastron GXL 255 2008 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron DX 235 2008 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron DX 235 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron DX 235 2008 has the edge at 4 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Glastron GXL 255 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron DX 235 2008 tops out at 320 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 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 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 DX 235 2008 and Glastron GXL 255 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron DX 235 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 2008?

The Glastron DX 235 2008 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 56 gallons on the Glastron GXL 255 2008. That 17-gallon difference translates to roughly 51–85 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron DX 235 2008 and Glastron GXL 255 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron DX 235 2008 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 DX 235 2008 full specs ← Glastron GXL 255 2008 full specs