Glastron GS 259 2006 vs Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron GS 259 2006 or the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011?

The Glastron GS 259 2006 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 comes in at 17,1 feet, making it roughly 6,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron GS 259 2006 or the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011?

For trailering, the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 has the edge at 2 335 lbs dry weight versus 5 535 lbs for the Glastron GS 259 2006. 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 GS 259 2006 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 tops out at 220 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 GS 259 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 is certified for 8. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Glastron GS 259 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 88" for the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron GS 259 2006 or the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011?

The Glastron GS 259 2006 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011. That 33-gallon difference translates to roughly 99–165 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron GS 259 2006 and Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron GS 259 2006 and the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 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 GS 259 2006 vs Glastron GT 185 SF 2011

Glastron

Glastron GS 259 2006

2006

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Glastron

Glastron GT 185 SF 2011

2011

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron GS 259 2006 vs Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron GS 259 2006 vs Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 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 2006 measures 24,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 6,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 at 17,1 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GS 259 2006 tips the scales at 5 535 lbs — 3 200 lbs more than the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 at 2 335 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 320 hp, the Glastron GS 259 2006 has a 100-hp advantage over the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011's 220-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 2006 carries 56 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011. 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 GT 185 SF 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Glastron GS 259 2006 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 17,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GS 259 2006 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

ModelGS 259

ModelGT 185 SF

Model Year2006

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam88 in. (2.24 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.24

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches88

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise21℃

Depth - Detail84 in. (2.13 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (.91 m)

Depth - Detail44 in. (1.12 m) Cockpit: 28.5 in. (0.72 m) Maximum: 59 in. (1.5 m)

Depth - Centimeters213.36

Depth - Centimeters149.86

Depth - Inches84

Depth - Inches59

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.91 m)

Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.79 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches31

Weight - Detailw/ 5.7 Gi Volvo Penta?: 5,535 lbs. (2,511 kg)

Weight - Detail2,335 lbs. (1,059 kg) with engine

Weight - kg2510.63

Weight - kg1059.14

Weight - lbs.5535

Weight - lbs.2335

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

Width [transom] - Detail86 in. (2.18 m)

Length - Feet24

Length - Feet17.08

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 10 in. (7.57 m)

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 1 in. (5.21 m)

Length overall - Meters7.57

Length overall - Meters5.21

Length overall - Inches298

Length overall - Inches205

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (0.41 m)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches16

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard5.0 GL Volvo Penta?

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Drive typeI/O

Engine max320 hp

Engine max220 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeVolvo Penta

Engine modelnot available

Engine model3.0 GL

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,240 lbs. (1,016 kg)

Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people8 or 1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 10 in. (6.65 m)

Glastron GS 259 2006 vs Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron GS 259 2006 or the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011?

The Glastron GS 259 2006 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 comes in at 17,1 feet, making it roughly 6,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron GS 259 2006 or the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011?

For trailering, the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 has the edge at 2 335 lbs dry weight versus 5 535 lbs for the Glastron GS 259 2006. 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 GS 259 2006 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 tops out at 220 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 GS 259 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 is certified for 8. 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Glastron GS 259 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 88" for the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron GS 259 2006 or the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011?

The Glastron GS 259 2006 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011. That 33-gallon difference translates to roughly 99–165 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron GS 259 2006 and Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron GS 259 2006 and the Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 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 GS 259 2006 full specs ← Glastron GT 185 SF 2011 full specs