When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Glastron GS 289 2012 and the Glastron MX 170 2008 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 289 2012 measures 28,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 11,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron MX 170 2008 at 17,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron MX 170 2008 tips the scales at 1 485 lbs — 1 420 lbs less than the Glastron GS 289 2012 at 65 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 Glastron GS 289 2012 carries a rated maximum of 400 hp. Engine data for the Glastron MX 170 2008 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Glastron GS 289 2012 carries 84 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Glastron MX 170 2008. 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 289 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Glastron MX 170 2008 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 289 2012 could be the deciding factor.