When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Glastron GS 279 2008 and the Glastron SSV 170 2011 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — 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 279 2008 measures 27,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 10,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron SSV 170 2011 at 16,9 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GS 279 2008 tips the scales at 6 225 lbs — 6 213 lbs more than the Glastron SSV 170 2011 at 12 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 2008 has a 205-hp advantage over the Glastron SSV 170 2011'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 2008 carries 72 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Glastron SSV 170 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 GS 279 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Glastron SSV 170 2011 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GS 279 2008 could be the deciding factor.