Donzi 18 Classic 2007 boat specs
Donzi
Donzi 18 Classic 2007
2007
View full specs →
VS
Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 boat specs
Donzi
Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011
2011
View full specs →

Donzi 18 Classic 2007 vs Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 18 Classic 2007 vs Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 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 Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 measures 38,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 20,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Donzi 18 Classic 2007 at 18,0 feet (2007). At 27 lbs and 15 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 1 050 hp, the Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 has a 700-hp advantage over the Donzi 18 Classic 2007's 350-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 41 gal and 42 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Donzi 18 Classic 2007 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 38,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi 18 Classic 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeDonzi
MakeDonzi
Model18 Classic
Model38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser
Model Year2007
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 0 in. (3.13 m)
Beam10 ft. 6 in. (3.19 m)
Beam - Meters2.13
Beam - Meters3.2
Beam - Inches84
Beam - Inches126
Deadrise24℃
Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech
Draft [drive up] - Detail14 in. (0.36 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (0.6 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.36
Draft [drive up] meters0.61
Draft [drive up] inches14
Draft [drive up] inches24
Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (0.74 m)
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.83 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches33
Weight - Detail2,700 lbs. (1,224.7 kg)
Weight - Detail15,000 lbs. (6,802.5 kg)
Weight - kg1224.7
Weight - kg6803.88
Weight - lbs.27
Weight - lbs.15
Length - Meters5.49
Length - Meters11.73
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet38.5
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Detail38 ft. 6 in. (11.73 m)
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters11.73
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches462
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 6 in. (1.97 m) w/ Hardtop 9 ft. 7 in. (2.91 m) w/ Radar: 10 ft. 4 in. (3.14 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches124
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail41 gal. (155.2 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail420 gal. (1,589.8 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters155.2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1589.87
Fuel tank capacity - Gal41
Fuel tank capacity - Gal42
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeOutboard - Triple
Engine max350 hp (261 kW)
Engine max1,050 hp (783.3 kW)
Operational Info
Headnot available
HeadStand up with shower, vanity, sink and electric head
Storagenot available
StorageBaitwell: 60 gal. (227.12 l)
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity50 gal. (189.27 l)

Donzi 18 Classic 2007 vs Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 18 Classic 2007 or the Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011?
The Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 is the longer of the two at 38,5 feet overall. The Donzi 18 Classic 2007 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 20,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Donzi 18 Classic 2007 or the Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011?
For trailering, the Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 27 lbs for the Donzi 18 Classic 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 Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 is rated to a maximum of 1 050 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 18 Classic 2007 tops out at 350 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 Donzi 18 Classic 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 is certified for 11. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 measures 126" wide, compared to 84" for the Donzi 18 Classic 2007. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Donzi 18 Classic 2007 and Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 41 gallons and 42 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Donzi 18 Classic 2007 and Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Donzi 18 Classic 2007 and the Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2011 are built by Donzi. 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.