Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Glastron GT 185 SF 2012 vs Glastron GX 235 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Glastron GT 185 SF 2012 vs Glastron GX 235 2006 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 GX 235 2006 measures 23,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 4,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Glastron GT 185 SF 2012 at 18,4 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GX 235 2006 tips the scales at 3 885 lbs — 1 550 lbs less than the Glastron GT 185 SF 2012 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 GX 235 2006 has a 100-hp advantage over the Glastron GT 185 SF 2012'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 GX 235 2006 carries 47 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Glastron GT 185 SF 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 GT 185 SF 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Glastron GX 235 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 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GT 185 SF 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GX 235 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
ModelGT 185 SF
ModelGX 235
Model Year2012
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam88 in. (2.24 m)
Beam102 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.24
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches88
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise21℃
Depth - Detail44 in. (1.12 m) Cockpit: 28.5 in. (0.72 m)
Depth - Detail53 in. (1.35 m) Cockpit: 37 in. (.94 m)
Depth - Centimeters111.76
Depth - Centimeters134.62
Depth - Inches44
Depth - Inches53
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.79 m)
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (.84 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches33
Weight - Detail2,335 lbs. (1,059 kg)
Weight - Detailw/ 5.7 Gi Volvo Penta?: 3,885 lbs. (1,762 kg)
Weight - kg1059.14
Weight - kg1762.2
Weight - lbs.2335
Weight - lbs.3885
Width [transom] - Detail86 in. (2.18 m)
Width [transom] - Detail98 in. (2.49 m)
Length - Feet18.42
Length - Feet23
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 0 in. (7.01 m)
Length overall - Meters5.61
Length overall - Meters7.01
Length overall - Inches221
Length overall - Inches276
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine model3.0L MPI EC MerCruiser (WPS)
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal. (91 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail47 gal. (178 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Liters177.91
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Fuel tank capacity - Gal47
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower135 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine max220 hp
Engine max320 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard5.0 GXi Volvo Penta?
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)
Maximum capacity1,650 lbs. (748 kg)
Maximum people8 or 1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 10 in. (6.65 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available