Glastron GLS 255 2009 vs Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron GLS 255 2009 or the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007?

The Glastron GLS 255 2009 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron GLS 255 2009 or the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007?

For trailering, the Glastron GLS 255 2009 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 3 025 lbs for the Glastron GXL 235 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 has a documented max rating of 270 hp. Engine specifications for the Glastron GLS 255 2009 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 255 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 is certified for 7. 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 255 2009 and Glastron GXL 235 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron GLS 255 2009 or the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007?

The Glastron GLS 255 2009 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 47 gallons on the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron GLS 255 2009 and Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron GLS 255 2009 and the Glastron GXL 235 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 255 2009 vs Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007

Glastron

Glastron GLS 255 2009

2009

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Glastron

Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron GLS 255 2009 vs Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron GLS 255 2009 vs Glastron GXL 235 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 255 2009 at 25,0 ft versus Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 at 23,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 tips the scales at 3 025 lbs — 2 979 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 GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 tops out at 270 hp. Engine specs for the Glastron GLS 255 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Glastron GLS 255 2009 carries 56 gallons versus 47 gallons in the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 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 255 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 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 255 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GLS 255 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 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

MakeGlastron

ModelGLS 255

ModelGXL 235 Bowrider

Model Year2009

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise21℃

Depth - Detail59.5 in. (1.51 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (0.91 m)

Depth - Detail53 in. (1.35 m) Cockpit: 37 in. (.94 m)

Depth - Centimeters152.4

Depth - Centimeters134.62

Depth - Inches59.5

Depth - Inches53

Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.86 m)

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (.84 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail4,600 lbs. (2,087 kg)

Weight - Detail3,025 lbs. (1,370 kg) w/5.0 GL Volvo Penta

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - kg1372.12

Weight - lbs.46

Weight - lbs.3025

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

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

Length - Meters7.72

Length - Meters7.01

Length - Feet25

Length - Feet23

Length - Inches4

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 4 in. (7.72 m)

Length overall - Detail23 ft. (7.01 m)

Length overall - Meters7.72

Length overall - Meters7.01

Length overall - Inches304

Length overall - Inches276

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail47 gal. (178 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters177.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal47

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard5.0 GXi Volvo Penta

Engine maxnot available

Engine max270 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,000 lbs. (907 kg)

Maximum capacity1,650 lbs. (748 kg)

Maximum people12

Maximum peoplenot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailEZ Loader EXL 5200 (painted)

Glastron GLS 255 2009 vs Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron GLS 255 2009 or the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007?

The Glastron GLS 255 2009 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron GLS 255 2009 or the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007?

For trailering, the Glastron GLS 255 2009 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 3 025 lbs for the Glastron GXL 235 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 has a documented max rating of 270 hp. Engine specifications for the Glastron GLS 255 2009 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 255 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 is certified for 7. 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 255 2009 and Glastron GXL 235 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron GLS 255 2009 or the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007?

The Glastron GLS 255 2009 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 47 gallons on the Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron GLS 255 2009 and Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron GLS 255 2009 and the Glastron GXL 235 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 255 2009 full specs ← Glastron GXL 235 Bowrider 2007 full specs