Donzi 23 ZF 2005 vs Donzi 28 ZX 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 23 ZF 2005 or the Donzi 28 ZX 2006?

The Donzi 28 ZX 2006 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Donzi 23 ZF 2005 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Donzi 23 ZF 2005 or the Donzi 28 ZX 2006?

For trailering, the Donzi 23 ZF 2005 has the edge at 48 lbs dry weight versus 655 lbs for the Donzi 28 ZX 2006. 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 Donzi 28 ZX 2006 is rated to a maximum of 700 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 23 ZF 2005 tops out at 300 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 Donzi 23 ZF 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Donzi 28 ZX 2006 is certified for 8. 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 Donzi 23 ZF 2005 and Donzi 28 ZX 2006 share an 8 ft. 6 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 Donzi 23 ZF 2005 or the Donzi 28 ZX 2006?

The Donzi 28 ZX 2006 has the bigger tank at 94 gallons, versus 14 gallons on the Donzi 23 ZF 2005. That 80-gallon difference translates to roughly 240–400 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Donzi 23 ZF 2005 and Donzi 28 ZX 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 23 ZF 2005 and the Donzi 28 ZX 2006 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.

Boat Comparison

Donzi 23 ZF 2005 vs Donzi 28 ZX 2006

Donzi

Donzi 23 ZF 2005

2005

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Donzi

Donzi 28 ZX 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 23 ZF 2005 vs Donzi 28 ZX 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 23 ZF 2005 vs Donzi 28 ZX 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Donzi 23 ZF 2005 at 24,0 ft versus Donzi 28 ZX 2006 at 27,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Donzi 28 ZX 2006 tips the scales at 655 lbs — 607 lbs less than the Donzi 23 ZF 2005 at 48 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 700 hp, the Donzi 28 ZX 2006 has a 400-hp advantage over the Donzi 23 ZF 2005's 300-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Donzi 28 ZX 2006 carries 94 gallons versus 14 gallons in the Donzi 23 ZF 2005. 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 Donzi 28 ZX 2006 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Donzi 23 ZF 2005 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Donzi 28 ZX 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 28 ZX 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 27,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi 23 ZF 2005 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

MakeDonzi

Model23 ZF

Model28 ZX

Model Year2005

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 7 in. (1.96 m) w/Arch 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.59

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (0.46 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [drive up] inches24

Weight - Detail4,800 lbs. (2,177 kg)

Weight - Detail6,550 lbs. (2,971 kg)

Weight - kg2177.24

Weight - kg2971.03

Weight - lbs.48

Weight - lbs.655

Length - Meters7.39

Length - Meters8.41

Length - Feet24

Length - Feet27

Length - Inches5

Length - Inches7

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 5 in. (7.39 m)

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 7 in. (8.41 m)

Length overall - Meters7.44

Length overall - Meters8.41

Length overall - Inches293

Length overall - Inches331

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (0.97 m)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches38

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail140 gal. (530.0 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail94 gal. (355.9 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters529.96

Fuel tank capacity - Liters355.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal14

Fuel tank capacity - Gal94

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typeI/O

Engine max300 hp (223.71 kw)

Engine max700 hp (521.99 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Headnot available

HeadPorta-potti

Headroomnot available

Headroom4 ft. 9 in.(1.45 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity7 gal. (26.5 l)

Donzi 23 ZF 2005 vs Donzi 28 ZX 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 23 ZF 2005 or the Donzi 28 ZX 2006?

The Donzi 28 ZX 2006 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Donzi 23 ZF 2005 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Donzi 23 ZF 2005 or the Donzi 28 ZX 2006?

For trailering, the Donzi 23 ZF 2005 has the edge at 48 lbs dry weight versus 655 lbs for the Donzi 28 ZX 2006. 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 28 ZX 2006 is rated to a maximum of 700 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 23 ZF 2005 tops out at 300 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 23 ZF 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Donzi 28 ZX 2006 is certified for 8. 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 Donzi 23 ZF 2005 and Donzi 28 ZX 2006 share an 8 ft. 6 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 Donzi 23 ZF 2005 or the Donzi 28 ZX 2006?

The Donzi 28 ZX 2006 has the bigger tank at 94 gallons, versus 14 gallons on the Donzi 23 ZF 2005. That 80-gallon difference translates to roughly 240–400 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Donzi 23 ZF 2005 and Donzi 28 ZX 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 23 ZF 2005 and the Donzi 28 ZX 2006 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.

← Donzi 23 ZF 2005 full specs ← Donzi 28 ZX 2006 full specs