Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Donzi 26 ZF 2010 vs Donzi 27 ZR 2011: A Close Look at Two Deep-V Boats
Both the Donzi 26 ZF 2010 and the Donzi 27 ZR 2011 are deep-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Donzi 26 ZF 2010 at 26,6 ft versus Donzi 27 ZR 2011 at 27,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Donzi 26 ZF 2010 tips the scales at 6 550 lbs - 1 050 lbs more than the Donzi 27 ZR 2011 at 5 500 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 525 hp, the Donzi 27 ZR 2011 has a 25-hp advantage over the Donzi 26 ZF 2010's 500-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 26 ZF 2010 carries 186 gallons versus 86 gallons in the Donzi 27 ZR 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
Both boats are rated for 8 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Donzi 27 ZR 2011 and its 525-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Donzi 26 ZF 2010 with its 500-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
Model Year2010
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 11 in. (2.7 m)
Beam8 ft. 4 in. (1.31 m)
Beam - Meters2.72
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Inches107
Beam - Inches100
Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. (2.13 m) w/T-Top: 7 ft. 10 in. (2.38 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.39
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches94
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech
DeadriseVariable
Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (0.55 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.93 m)
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inches32
Weight - Detail6,550 lbs. (2,970.37 kg)
Weight - Detail5,500 lbs. (2,494.2 kg) (approx)
Weight - kg2971.03
Weight - kg2494.76
Weight - lbs.6550
Weight - lbs.5500
Length - Meters8.09
Length - Meters8.22
Length - Feet26.58
Length - Feet27.17
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 7 in. (8.09 m)
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 2 in. (8.24 m)
Length overall - Meters8.1
Length overall - Meters8.28
Length overall - Inches319
Length overall - Inches326
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail186 gal. (704.04 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail86 gal. (325.54 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters704.09
Fuel tank capacity - Liters325.55
Fuel tank capacity - Gal186
Fuel tank capacity - Gal86
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Engine max500 hp (327.85 kW)
Engine max525 hp (391.49 kW)
Operational Info
HeadPorta-potti
HeadPorta-potti
Water capacity7 gal. (26.49 l)
Water capacitynot available
Headroomnot available
Headroom48 in. (1.21 m)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity2