Donzi 26 ZF 2006 vs Donzi 38 ZR 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 26 ZF 2006 or the Donzi 38 ZR 2009?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2009 is the longer of the two at 38,7 feet overall. The Donzi 26 ZF 2006 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 12,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2009 is rated to a maximum of 2 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 26 ZF 2006 tops out at 400 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 26 ZF 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Donzi 38 ZR 2009 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Donzi 26 ZF 2006 and Donzi 38 ZR 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 18 gallons and 19 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Donzi 26 ZF 2006 and Donzi 38 ZR 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 26 ZF 2006 and the Donzi 38 ZR 2009 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 26 ZF 2006 vs Donzi 38 ZR 2009

Donzi

Donzi 26 ZF 2006

2006

View full specs →

Donzi

Donzi 38 ZR 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 26 ZF 2006 vs Donzi 38 ZR 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 26 ZF 2006 vs Donzi 38 ZR 2009 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 2 150 hp, the Donzi 38 ZR 2009 has a 1 750-hp advantage over the Donzi 26 ZF 2006's 400-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 18 gal and 19 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Donzi 38 ZR 2009 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Donzi 26 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 38 ZR 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 38 ZR 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 38,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi 26 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.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail26.00 ft

Length overall - Detail38 ft. 8 in. (11.78 m)

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet38.67

Length overall - Meters7.92

Length overall - Meters11.79

Length overall - Inches312

Length overall - Inches464

Beamnot available

Beam8 ft. 8 in. (2.63 m)

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Meters2.64

Beam - Inchesnot available

Beam - Inches104

Deadrisenot available

DeadriseVariable

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail28 in. (0.71 m)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.71

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches28

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail9,500 lbs. (4,308.2 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg4309.12

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.95

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters11.78

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal18

Fuel tank capacity - Gal19

Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37

Fuel tank capacity - Liters719.23

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Horsepower400 hp

Horsepowernot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeoutboard

Drive typeInboard - Twin

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail190 gal. (719.18 l)

Engine maxnot available

Engine max2,150 hp (1,603.26 kW)

Operational Info

Water capacity12

Water capacity10 gal. (37.85 l)

Holding tank capacity - Gal12

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters45.42

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Boat typePower

Boat typenot available

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed with Porta-potti, fresh water sink and shower

Headroomnot available

Headroom60 in. (1.52 m)

General Boat Info

Makenot available

MakeDonzi

Modelnot available

Model38 ZR

Model Yearnot available

Model Year2009

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Donzi 26 ZF 2006 vs Donzi 38 ZR 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 26 ZF 2006 or the Donzi 38 ZR 2009?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2009 is the longer of the two at 38,7 feet overall. The Donzi 26 ZF 2006 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 12,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2009 is rated to a maximum of 2 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 26 ZF 2006 tops out at 400 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 26 ZF 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Donzi 38 ZR 2009 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Donzi 26 ZF 2006 and Donzi 38 ZR 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 18 gallons and 19 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 26 ZF 2006 and Donzi 38 ZR 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 26 ZF 2006 and the Donzi 38 ZR 2009 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 26 ZF 2006 full specs ← Donzi 38 ZR 2009 full specs