Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Glastron GS 279 2006 vs Glastron GT 160 CB 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Glastron GS 279 2006 vs Glastron GT 160 CB 2012 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 279 2006 measures 27,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 10,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron GT 160 CB 2012 at 16,5 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GS 279 2006 tips the scales at 6 200 lbs - 4 900 lbs more than the Glastron GT 160 CB 2012 at 1 300 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 279 2006 has a 205-hp advantage over the Glastron GT 160 CB 2012's 115-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 279 2006 carries 72 gallons versus 12 gallons in the Glastron GT 160 CB 2012. 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 279 2006 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Glastron GT 160 CB 2012 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GS 279 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GS 279 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 27,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GT 160 CB 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelGS 279
ModelGT 160 CB
Model Year2006
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in. (2.59 m)
Beam7 ft. (2.13 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.13
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches84
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise17℃
Depth - Detail89 in. (2.26 m) Cockpit: 36 in. (.91 m)
Depth - DetailCockpit: 25 / 21 in. (0.63 / 0.53 m)
Depth - Centimeters226.06
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inches89
Depth - Inches21
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail30.25 in. (76.8 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.76
Draft [max] - Inches40
Draft [max] - Inches30.25
Weight - Detailw/ 5.0 GL Volvo Penta?: 6,200 lbs. (2,812 kg)
Weight - Detail1,300 lbs. (589 kg)
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - kg589.67
Weight - lbs.6200
Weight - lbs.1300
Width [transom] - Detail97 in. (2.46 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Length - Feet27
Length - Feet16.5
Length - Inches5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 5 in. (8.36 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 5 in. (5.03 m)
Length overall - Meters8.36
Length overall - Meters5
Length overall - Inches329
Length overall - Inches197
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard5.0 GXi Volvo Penta?
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail12 gal. (45 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55
Fuel tank capacity - Liters45.42
Fuel tank capacity - Gal72
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max320 hp
Engine max115 hp
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine modelELPTO Optimax
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower75 hp
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Operational Info
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,590 lbs. (720 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people6
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 6 in. (6.55 m)