Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Glastron DX 235 2011 vs Glastron GT 185 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Glastron DX 235 2011 against a deep vee Glastron GT 185 2012 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 DX 235 2011 measures 22,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 4,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron GT 185 2012 at 18,4 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GT 185 2012 tips the scales at 2 315 lbs — 2 311 lbs less than the Glastron DX 235 2011 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 2011 has a 80-hp advantage over the Glastron GT 185 2012's 220-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 2011 carries 73 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Glastron GT 185 2012. 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 2011 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GT 185 2012 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron DX 235 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Glastron DX 235 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 22,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GT 185 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model Year2011
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in. (2.59 m)
Beam88 in. (2.24 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.24
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches88
Deadrise15°
Deadrise21℃
Depth - Detail60 in. (1.52 m) Cockpit: 31 in. (0.79 m) Maximum: 69 in. (1.75 m)
Depth - Detail44 in. (1.12 m) Cockpit: 28.5 in. (0.72 m)
Depth - Centimeters175.26
Depth - Centimeters111.76
Depth - Inches69
Depth - Inches44
Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (0.46 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.79 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg) with engine
Weight - Detail2,315 lbs. (1,050 kg)
Weight - kg1814.37
Weight - kg1050.07
Weight - lbs.4
Weight - lbs.2315
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (2.39 m)
Width [transom] - Detail86 in. (2.18 m)
Length - Feet22.5
Length - Feet18.42
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 4 in. (7.42 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)
Length overall - Meters6.86
Length overall - Meters5.61
Length overall - Inches27
Length overall - Inches221
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine makeMercury
Engine model5.7 Gi
Engine model3.0L MPI EC MerCruiser (WPS)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail73 gal. (276 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal. (91 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters276.33
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Gal73
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max300 hp
Engine max220 hp
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower135 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,950 lbs. (885 kg)
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum people13 or 1,950 lbs. (885 kg)
Maximum people8 or 1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 6 in. (8.08 m)
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 10 in. (6.65 m)