Donzi 25 Zx 1997 vs Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 25 Zx 1997 or the Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006?

The Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 is the longer of the two at 38,0 feet overall. The Donzi 25 Zx 1997 comes in at 25,0 feet, making it roughly 13,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 is rated to a maximum of 825 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 25 Zx 1997 tops out at 415 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 25 Zx 1997 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Donzi 25 Zx 1997 or the Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006?

The Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 has the bigger tank at 325 gallons, versus 82 gallons on the Donzi 25 Zx 1997. That 243-gallon difference translates to roughly 729–1215 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Donzi 25 Zx 1997 and Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 25 Zx 1997 and the Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 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 25 Zx 1997 vs Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006

Donzi

Donzi 25 Zx 1997

1997

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Donzi

Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 25 Zx 1997 vs Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 25 Zx 1997 vs Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 825 hp, the Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 has a 410-hp advantage over the Donzi 25 Zx 1997's 415-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 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 carries 325 gallons versus 82 gallons in the Donzi 25 Zx 1997. 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 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Donzi 25 Zx 1997 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 38,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi 25 Zx 1997 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail25.00 ft

Length overall - Detail38 ft. 6 in. (11.73 m)

Length - Feet25

Length - Feet38

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Meters11.73

Length overall - Inches300

Length overall - Inches462

Beamnot available

Beam9 ft. 5 in. (2.86 m)

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Meters2.87

Beam - Inchesnot available

Beam - Inches113

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 5 in. (1.64 m) w/ T-Top: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.65 m) w/ Arch: 9 ft. 0 in. (2.74 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.74

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches108

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail25 in. (.63 m)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.64

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches25

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.91 m)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail9,800 lbs. (4,445 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg4445.2

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.98

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters11.73

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal82

Fuel tank capacity - Gal325

Fuel tank capacity - Liters310.4

Fuel tank capacity - Liters1230.26

Engine makeMercruiser

Engine makenot available

Horsepower415 hp

Horsepowernot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeinboard

Drive typeOutboard

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail325 gal. (1,230.26 l)

Engine maxnot available

Engine max825 hp

Operational Info

Boat typePower

Boat typenot available

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed in console with fresh water shower & sink

General Boat Info

Makenot available

MakeDonzi

Modelnot available

Model38 ZFC Cuddy

Model Yearnot available

Model Year2006

Donzi 25 Zx 1997 vs Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 25 Zx 1997 or the Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006?

The Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 is the longer of the two at 38,0 feet overall. The Donzi 25 Zx 1997 comes in at 25,0 feet, making it roughly 13,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 is rated to a maximum of 825 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 25 Zx 1997 tops out at 415 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 25 Zx 1997 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Donzi 25 Zx 1997 or the Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006?

The Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 has the bigger tank at 325 gallons, versus 82 gallons on the Donzi 25 Zx 1997. That 243-gallon difference translates to roughly 729–1215 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Donzi 25 Zx 1997 and Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 25 Zx 1997 and the Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 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 25 Zx 1997 full specs ← Donzi 38 ZFC Cuddy 2006 full specs