Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 vs Glastron GXL 185 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 or the Glastron GXL 185 2008?

The Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 is the longer of the two at 24,3 feet overall. The Glastron GXL 185 2008 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 6,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 or the Glastron GXL 185 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 273 lbs for the Glastron GXL 185 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Glastron GXL 185 2008 has a documented max rating of 225 hp. Engine specifications for the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 185 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Glastron GXL 185 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 or the Glastron GXL 185 2008?

The Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Glastron GXL 185 2008. That 44-gallon difference translates to roughly 132–220 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 and Glastron GXL 185 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 and the Glastron GXL 185 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 GLS 235 DB 2010 vs Glastron GXL 185 2008

Glastron

Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010

2010

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Glastron

Glastron GXL 185 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 vs Glastron GXL 185 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 against a deep vee Glastron GXL 185 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 measures 24,3 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron GXL 185 2008 at 18,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GXL 185 2008 tips the scales at 273 lbs — 269 lbs less than the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 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 Glastron GXL 185 2008 tops out at 225 hp. Engine specs for the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 carries 73 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Glastron GXL 185 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 GLS 235 DB 2010 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 185 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 GLS 235 DB 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 24,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GXL 185 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

ModelGLS 235 DB

ModelGXL 185

Model Year201

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. (0.79 m) Maximum: 69 in. (1.75 m)

Depth - Detail43 in. (1.09 m) Cockpit: 29.5 in. (0.75 m)

Depth - Centimeters175.26

Depth - Centimeters109.22

Depth - Inches69

Depth - Inches43

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] - Detail29 in. (0.74 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inches29

Weight - Detail4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg) with engine

Weight - Detail2,730 lbs. (1,240 kg) w/4.3 GL Volvo Penta

Weight - kg1814.37

Weight - kg1238.31

Weight - lbs.4

Weight - lbs.273

Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (2.49 m)

Width [transom] - Detail86 in. (2.18 m)

Length - Feet24.33

Length - Feet18

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. (5.49 m)

Length overall - Meters6.86

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches27

Length overall - Inches216

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.49

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

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

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard3.0 GL Volvo Penta (130 hp)

Engine maxnot available

Engine max225 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,950 lbs. (885 kg)

Maximum capacity1,200 lbs. (544 kg)

Maximum people13 or 1,950 lbs. (885 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 6 in. (8.08 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailEZ Loader GM 3500S (painted)

Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 vs Glastron GXL 185 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 or the Glastron GXL 185 2008?

The Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 is the longer of the two at 24,3 feet overall. The Glastron GXL 185 2008 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 6,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 or the Glastron GXL 185 2008?

For trailering, the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 273 lbs for the Glastron GXL 185 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Glastron GXL 185 2008 has a documented max rating of 225 hp. Engine specifications for the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 185 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 GLS 235 DB 2010 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Glastron GXL 185 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 GLS 235 DB 2010 or the Glastron GXL 185 2008?

The Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Glastron GXL 185 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 GLS 235 DB 2010 and Glastron GXL 185 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron GLS 235 DB 2010 and the Glastron GXL 185 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 GLS 235 DB 2010 full specs ← Glastron GXL 185 2008 full specs