Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Glastron GS 259 Sport Cruiser 2007 vs Glastron GXL 185 Bowrider 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Glastron GS 259 Sport Cruiser 2007 vs Glastron GXL 185 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Glastron GS 259 Sport Cruiser 2007 measures 24,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron GXL 185 Bowrider 2007 at 18,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GS 259 Sport Cruiser 2007 tips the scales at 5 525 lbs — 5 252 lbs more than the Glastron GXL 185 Bowrider 2007 at 273 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 220 hp, the Glastron GS 259 Sport Cruiser 2007 has a 85-hp advantage over the Glastron GXL 185 Bowrider 2007's 135-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Glastron GS 259 Sport Cruiser 2007 carries 56 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Glastron GXL 185 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 GS 259 Sport Cruiser 2007 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 185 Bowrider 2007 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GS 259 Sport Cruiser 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GS 259 Sport Cruiser 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GXL 185 Bowrider 2007 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
ModelGS 259 Sport Cruiser
ModelGXL 185 Bowrider
Model Year2007
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in. (2.59 m)
Beam91 in. (2.31 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches91
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise21℃
Depth - Detail84 in. (2.13 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (.91 m)
Depth - Detail43 in. (1.09 m) Cockpit: 29.5 in. (.75 m)
Depth - Centimeters213.36
Depth - Centimeters109.22
Depth - Inches84
Depth - Inches43
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (.74 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches29
Weight - Detail5,525 lbs. (2,506 kg) w/5.7 Gi Volvo Penta
Weight - Detail2,730 lbs. (1,240 kg) w/4.3 GL Volvo Penta
Weight - kg2506.1
Weight - kg1238.31
Weight - lbs.5525
Weight - lbs.273
Width [transom] - Detail98 in. (2.49 m)
Width [transom] - Detail86 in. (2.18 m)
Length - Meters7.57
Length - Meters5.49
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet18
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 10 in. (7.57 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Meters7.57
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Inches298
Length overall - Inches216
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard5.0 GL Volvo Penta
Engine/s standard3.0 GL Volvo Penta
Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal. (110 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98
Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78
Fuel tank capacity - Gal56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal29
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max220 hp
Engine max135 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,240 lbs. (1,016 kg)
Maximum capacity1,200 lbs. (544 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailEZ Loader TRST 3500 (painted)