Glastron GXL 235 2008 vs Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Glastron GXL 235 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007?

The Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron GXL 235 2008 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron GXL 235 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007?

For trailering, the Glastron GXL 235 2008 has the edge at 3 875 lbs dry weight versus 4 675 lbs for the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007. 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 GXL 235 2008 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 tops out at 270 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 GXL 235 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 is certified for 1. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Glastron GXL 235 2008 and Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 share an 102 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron GXL 235 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007?

The Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 47 gallons on the Glastron GXL 235 2008. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Glastron GXL 235 2008 and Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron GXL 235 2008 and the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 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 GXL 235 2008 vs Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007

Glastron

Glastron GXL 235 2008

2008

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Glastron

Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Glastron GXL 235 2008 vs Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Glastron GXL 235 2008 vs Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Glastron GXL 235 2008 at 23,0 ft versus Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 at 25,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 tips the scales at 4 675 lbs — 800 lbs less than the Glastron GXL 235 2008 at 3 875 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 GXL 235 2008 has a 50-hp advantage over the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007's 270-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 GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 carries 56 gallons versus 47 gallons in the Glastron GXL 235 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 GXL 235 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Glastron GXL 235 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Glastron GXL 235 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeGlastron

ModelGXL 235

ModelGXL 255 Bowrider

Model Year2008

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise21℃

Depth - Detail53 in. (1.35 m) Cockpit: 37 in. (0.94 m)

Depth - Detail57.5 in. (1.46 m) Cockpit: 37 in. (.94 m)

Depth - Centimeters134.62

Depth - Centimeters147.32

Depth - Inches53

Depth - Inches57.5

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.84 m)

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (.86 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches33

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detail3,875 lbs. (1,760 kg) w/5.7 Gi Volvo Penta

Weight - Detail4,675 lbs. (2,120 kg) w/5.7 Gi Volvo Penta

Weight - kg1757.67

Weight - kg2120.54

Weight - lbs.3875

Weight - lbs.4675

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

Length - Meters7.01

Length - Meters7.62

Length - Feet23

Length - Feet25

Length overall - Detail23 ft. (7.01 m)

Length overall - Detail25 ft. (7.62 m)

Length overall - Meters7.01

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Inches276

Length overall - Inches3

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard5.0 GXi Volvo Penta (270 hp)

Engine/s standard5.0 GXi Volvo Penta

Fuel tank capacity - Detail47 gal. (178 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters177.91

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal47

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max320 hp

Engine max270 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,650 lbs. (748 kg)

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people1

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailEZ Loader GM 5200T (painted)

Trailer - DetailEZ Loader EXL 5800 (painted)

Glastron GXL 235 2008 vs Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Glastron GXL 235 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007?

The Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Glastron GXL 235 2008 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Glastron GXL 235 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007?

For trailering, the Glastron GXL 235 2008 has the edge at 3 875 lbs dry weight versus 4 675 lbs for the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007. 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 GXL 235 2008 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 tops out at 270 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 GXL 235 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 is certified for 1. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Glastron GXL 235 2008 and Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 share an 102 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Glastron GXL 235 2008 or the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007?

The Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 47 gallons on the Glastron GXL 235 2008. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Glastron GXL 235 2008 and Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Glastron GXL 235 2008 and the Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 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 GXL 235 2008 full specs ← Glastron GXL 255 Bowrider 2007 full specs