Donzi 23 ZF 2006 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi 23 ZF 2006 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Donzi Z-21 1987 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi Z-21 1987 is rated to a maximum of 350 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 Z-21 1987 is certified for 6. 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi Z-21 1987 has the bigger tank at 66 gallons, versus 14 gallons on the Donzi 23 ZF 2006. That 52-gallon difference translates to roughly 156–260 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 and Donzi Z-21 1987 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 and the Donzi Z-21 1987 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 Z-21 1987

Donzi

Donzi 23 ZF 2006

2006

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Donzi

Donzi Z-21 1987

1987

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 23 ZF 2006 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 23 ZF 2006 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 350 hp, the Donzi Z-21 1987 has a 50-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 Z-21 1987 carries 66 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 23 ZF 2006 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Donzi Z-21 1987 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi Z-21 1987 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeDonzi

Makenot available

Model23 ZF

Modelnot available

Model Year2006

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inchesnot available

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

Deadrisenot available

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg2177.24

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.48

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Meters7.39

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Feet21

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail21.00 ft

Length overall - Meters7.39

Length overall - Meters6.4

Length overall - Inches291

Length overall - Inches252

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail140 gal. (530 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters529.96

Fuel tank capacity - Liters249.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal14

Fuel tank capacity - Gal66

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typeinboard

Engine max300 hp (223.71 kW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercruizer

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower350 hp

Operational Info

HeadPorta-potti enclosed in console

Headnot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Donzi 23 ZF 2006 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi 23 ZF 2006 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Donzi Z-21 1987 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi Z-21 1987 is rated to a maximum of 350 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 Z-21 1987 is certified for 6. 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi Z-21 1987 has the bigger tank at 66 gallons, versus 14 gallons on the Donzi 23 ZF 2006. That 52-gallon difference translates to roughly 156–260 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 and Donzi Z-21 1987 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 23 ZF 2006 and the Donzi Z-21 1987 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 Z-21 1987 full specs