Both the Glastron GS 249 SC 2011 and the Glastron MX 180 2011 are deep-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Glastron GS 249 SC 2011 measures 24,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 6,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron MX 180 2011 at 17,1 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GS 249 SC 2011 tips the scales at 4 437 lbs - 2 937 lbs more than the Glastron MX 180 2011 at 1 500 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 GS 249 SC 2011 has a 150-hp advantage over the Glastron MX 180 2011's 150-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 GS 249 SC 2011 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Glastron MX 180 2011 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GS 249 SC 2011 could be the deciding factor.