Donzi 23 ZF 2006 vs Donzi 28 ZX 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 or the Donzi 28 ZX 2007?

The Donzi 28 ZX 2007 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Donzi 23 ZF 2006 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 2006 or the Donzi 28 ZX 2007?

For trailering, the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 has the edge at 48 lbs dry weight versus 65 lbs for the Donzi 28 ZX 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 Donzi 28 ZX 2007 is rated to a maximum of 700 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 23 ZF 2006 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 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Donzi 28 ZX 2007 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 2006 and Donzi 28 ZX 2007 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 2006 or the Donzi 28 ZX 2007?

The Donzi 28 ZX 2007 has the bigger tank at 94 gallons, versus 14 gallons on the Donzi 23 ZF 2006. 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 2006 and Donzi 28 ZX 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 and the Donzi 28 ZX 2007 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 2006 vs Donzi 28 ZX 2007

Donzi

Donzi 23 ZF 2006

2006

View full specs →

Donzi

Donzi 28 ZX 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 23 ZF 2006 vs Donzi 28 ZX 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 23 ZF 2006 vs Donzi 28 ZX 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 — Donzi 23 ZF 2006 at 24,0 ft versus Donzi 28 ZX 2007 at 27,0 ft. At 48 lbs and 65 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 700 hp, the Donzi 28 ZX 2007 has a 400-hp advantage over the Donzi 23 ZF 2006'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 2007 carries 94 gallons versus 14 gallons in the Donzi 23 ZF 2006. 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 2007 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 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 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 28 ZX 2007 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 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

MakeDonzi

Model23 ZF

Model28 ZX

Model Year2006

Model Year2007

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 - Detail6,500 lbs. (2,948 kg)

Weight - kg2177.24

Weight - kg2948.35

Weight - lbs.48

Weight - lbs.65

Length - Meters7.39

Length - Meters8.41

Length - Feet24

Length - Feet27

Length - Inches3

Length - Inches7

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 3 in. (7.39 m)

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

Length overall - Meters7.39

Length overall - Meters8.41

Length overall - Inches291

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 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

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typeI/O

Engine max300 hp (223.71 kW)

Engine max700 hp (521.99 kW)

Operational Info

HeadPorta-potti enclosed in console

HeadPorta-potti

Headroomnot available

Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Donzi 23 ZF 2006 vs Donzi 28 ZX 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 or the Donzi 28 ZX 2007?

The Donzi 28 ZX 2007 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Donzi 23 ZF 2006 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 2006 or the Donzi 28 ZX 2007?

For trailering, the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 has the edge at 48 lbs dry weight versus 65 lbs for the Donzi 28 ZX 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 28 ZX 2007 is rated to a maximum of 700 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 23 ZF 2006 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 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Donzi 28 ZX 2007 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 2006 and Donzi 28 ZX 2007 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 2006 or the Donzi 28 ZX 2007?

The Donzi 28 ZX 2007 has the bigger tank at 94 gallons, versus 14 gallons on the Donzi 23 ZF 2006. 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 2006 and Donzi 28 ZX 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 and the Donzi 28 ZX 2007 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 2006 full specs ← Donzi 28 ZX 2007 full specs