When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Glastron GLS 255 2009 and the Glastron GT 249 2008 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Glastron GLS 255 2009 at 25,0 ft versus Glastron GT 249 2008 at 24,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GT 249 2008 tips the scales at 4 437 lbs — 4 391 lbs less than the Glastron GLS 255 2009 at 46 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 GT 249 2008 tops out at 320 hp. Engine specs for the Glastron GLS 255 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.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 255 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Glastron GT 249 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GLS 255 2009 could be the deciding factor.