Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Glastron GLS 215 2009 vs Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2007: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Glastron GLS 215 2009 vs Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2007 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Glastron GLS 215 2009 at 21,0 ft versus Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2007 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GLS 215 2009 tips the scales at 3 330 lbs - 590 lbs more than the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2007 at 2 740 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 Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2007 tops out at 135 hp. Engine specs for the Glastron GLS 215 2009 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Glastron GLS 215 2009 carries 34 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2007. 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 215 2009 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2007 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GLS 215 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GLS 215 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GXL 185 Ski & Fish 2007 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
ModelGLS 215
ModelGXL 185 Ski & Fish
Model Year2009
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam101 in. (2.57 m)
Beam91 in. (2.31 m)
Beam - Meters2.57
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches101
Beam - Inches91
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise21℃
Depth - Detail52 in. (1.32 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (0.91 m)
Depth - Detail43 in. (1.09 m) Cockpit: 29.5 in. (.75 m)
Depth - Centimeters132.08
Depth - Centimeters109.22
Depth - Inches52
Depth - Inches43
Draft [max] - Detail31.5 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (.79 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches31.5
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail3,330 lbs. (1,510 kg)
Weight - Detail2,740 lbs. (1,243 kg) w/4.3 GL Volvo Penta
Weight - kg1510.46
Weight - kg1242.84
Weight - lbs.3330
Weight - lbs.2740
Width [transom] - Detail97 in. (2.46 m)
Width [transom] - Detail86 in. (2.18 m)
Length - Meters6.5
Length - Meters5.49
Length - Feet21
Length - Feet18
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 4 in. (6.5 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Meters6.5
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Inches256
Length overall - Inches216
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail34 gal. (129 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal. (110 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters128.7
Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78
Fuel tank capacity - Gal34
Fuel tank capacity - Gal29
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard3.0 GL Volvo Penta
Engine maxnot available
Engine max135 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,475 lbs. (669 kg)
Maximum capacity1,200 lbs. (544 kg)
Maximum people10
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all24 ft. 9 in. (7.54 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailEZ Loader TRST 3500 (painted)