Glastron GLS 235 2011 vs Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron GLS 235 2011 or the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007?

The Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron GLS 235 2011 comes in at 23,8 feet, making it roughly 1,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron GLS 235 2011 or the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007?

For trailering, the Glastron GLS 235 2011 has the edge at 408 lbs dry weight versus 4 675 lbs for the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007. 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 GLS 235 2011 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 tops out at 270 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 GLS 235 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 is certified for 1. 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 GLS 235 2011 and Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Glastron GLS 235 2011 and Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 56 gallons and 56 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Glastron GLS 235 2011 and Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron GLS 235 2011 and the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 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 2011 vs Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007

Glastron

Glastron GLS 235 2011

2011

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Glastron

Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron GLS 235 2011 vs Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron GLS 235 2011 vs Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 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 235 2011 at 23,8 ft versus Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 at 25,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 tips the scales at 4 675 lbs — 4 267 lbs less than the Glastron GLS 235 2011 at 408 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 GLS 235 2011 has a 30-hp advantage over the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007's 270-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 56 gal and 56 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Glastron GLS 235 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GLS 235 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GLS 235 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 23,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelGLS 235

ModelGXL 255 Bowrider

Model Year2011

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise21℃

Depth - Detail57 in. (1.45 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (0.91 m) Maximum: 70 in. (1.78 m)

Depth - Detail57.5 in. (1.46 m) Cockpit: 37 in. (.94 m)

Depth - Centimeters177.8

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Inches7

Depth - Inches57.5

Draft [drive up] - Detail17.5 in. (0.44 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches17.5

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.84 m)

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (.86 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches33

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detail4,080 lbs. (1,851 kg) with engine

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

Weight - kg1850.66

Weight - kg2120.54

Weight - lbs.408

Weight - lbs.4675

Width [transom] - Detail97 in. (2.46 m)

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

Length - Feet23.75

Length - Feet25

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in. (7.24 m)

Length overall - Detail25 ft. (7.62 m)

Length overall - Meters7.24

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Inches285

Length overall - Inches3

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.62

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeVolvo Penta

Engine makenot available

Engine model5.7 GXi

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max300 hp

Engine max270 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard5.0 GXi Volvo Penta

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,650 lbs. (748 kg)

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Maximum people12 or 1,650 lbs. (748 kg)

Maximum people1

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 10 in. (7.87 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailEZ Loader EXL 5800 (painted)

Glastron GLS 235 2011 vs Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron GLS 235 2011 or the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007?

The Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron GLS 235 2011 comes in at 23,8 feet, making it roughly 1,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron GLS 235 2011 or the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007?

For trailering, the Glastron GLS 235 2011 has the edge at 408 lbs dry weight versus 4 675 lbs for the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007. 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 GLS 235 2011 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 tops out at 270 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 GLS 235 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 is certified for 1. 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 GLS 235 2011 and Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Glastron GLS 235 2011 and Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 56 gallons and 56 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Glastron GLS 235 2011 and Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron GLS 235 2011 and the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 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 2011 full specs ← Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 full specs