Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Glastron GLS 215 2012 vs Glastron GX 255 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Glastron GLS 215 2012 vs Glastron GX 255 2006 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 GX 255 2006 measures 25,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 3,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron GLS 215 2012 at 21,3 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GX 255 2006 tips the scales at 4 685 lbs — 4 352 lbs less than the Glastron GLS 215 2012 at 333 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 375 hp, the Glastron GX 255 2006 has a 75-hp advantage over the Glastron GLS 215 2012's 300-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 GX 255 2006 carries 56 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Glastron GLS 215 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 GLS 215 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Glastron GX 255 2006 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GLS 215 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GLS 215 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 21,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GX 255 2006 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
Model Year2012
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam101 in. (2.57 m)
Beam102 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.57
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches101
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise21℃
Depth - Detail52 in. (1.32 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (0.91 m)
Depth - Detail57.5 in. (1.46 m) Cockpit: 37 in. (.94 m)
Depth - Centimeters132.08
Depth - Centimeters147.32
Depth - Inches52
Depth - Inches57.5
Draft [max] - Detail31.5 in. (0.80 m)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (.86 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches31.5
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail3,330 lbs. (1,510 kg)
Weight - Detailw/ 5.7 Gi Volvo Penta?: 4,685 lbs. (2,125 kg)
Weight - kg1510.46
Weight - kg2125.08
Weight - lbs.333
Weight - lbs.4685
Width [transom] - Detail97 in. (2.46 m)
Width [transom] - Detail98 in. (2.49 m)
Length - Feet21.33
Length - Feet25
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 4 in. (6.5 m)
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 0 in. (7.62 m)
Length overall - Meters6.5
Length overall - Meters7.62
Length overall - Inches256
Length overall - Inches3
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine makenot available
Engine model5.0 GiC
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42
Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Fuel tank capacity - Gal56
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower225 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine max300 hp
Engine max375 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard5.0 GXi Volvo Penta?
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,475 lbs. (669 kg)
Maximum capacity1,800 lbs. (816 kg)
Maximum people10 or 1,475 lbs. (669 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all24 ft. 9 in. (7.54 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available