Donzi 26 ZX 2005 vs Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 26 ZX 2005 or the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011?

The Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 is the longer of the two at 35,3 feet overall. The Donzi 26 ZX 2005 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 9,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Donzi 26 ZX 2005 or the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011?

For trailering, the Donzi 26 ZX 2005 has the edge at 58 lbs dry weight versus 85 lbs for the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011. 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 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 is rated to a maximum of 1 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 26 ZX 2005 tops out at 500 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 ZX 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 is certified for 10. 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 26 ZX 2005 and Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 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 26 ZX 2005 or the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011?

The Donzi 26 ZX 2005 has the bigger tank at 94 gallons, versus 17 gallons on the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011. That 77-gallon difference translates to roughly 231–385 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Donzi 26 ZX 2005 and Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 26 ZX 2005 and the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 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 ZX 2005 vs Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011

Donzi

Donzi 26 ZX 2005

2005

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Donzi

Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 26 ZX 2005 vs Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 26 ZX 2005 vs Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 measures 35,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 9,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Donzi 26 ZX 2005 at 26,0 feet (2005). At 58 lbs and 85 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 1 200 hp, the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 has a 700-hp advantage over the Donzi 26 ZX 2005'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 ZX 2005 carries 94 gallons versus 17 gallons in the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011. 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 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Donzi 26 ZX 2005 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 35,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi 26 ZX 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeDonzi

Model26 ZX

Model35 ZR Cuddy

Model Year2005

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.58 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech

DeadriseVariable

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detail26 in. (0.66 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] meters0.66

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [drive up] inches26

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

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detail5,800 lbs. (2231 kg)

Weight - Detail8,500 lbs. (3,854.7 kg)

Weight - kg2630.83

Weight - kg3855.53

Weight - lbs.58

Weight - lbs.85

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Meters10.73

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet35.25

Length - Inches5

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Length overall - Detail35 ft. 3 in. (10.74 m)

Length overall - Meters8.05

Length overall - Meters10.74

Length overall - Inches317

Length overall - Inches423

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail94 gal. (355.9 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail170 gal. (643.47 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters355.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters643.52

Fuel tank capacity - Gal94

Fuel tank capacity - Gal17

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeI/O - Twin

Engine max500 (470 kw)

Engine max1,200 hp (894.84 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Headroom4 ft. 9 in. (1.45 m)

Headroom60 in. (1.52 m)

Sleeping capacity2

Sleeping capacitynot available

Water capacity7 gal. (26.5 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (37.85 l)

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed with Porta-potti, freshwater sink and shower

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Donzi 26 ZX 2005 vs Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 26 ZX 2005 or the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011?

The Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 is the longer of the two at 35,3 feet overall. The Donzi 26 ZX 2005 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 9,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Donzi 26 ZX 2005 or the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011?

For trailering, the Donzi 26 ZX 2005 has the edge at 58 lbs dry weight versus 85 lbs for the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011. 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 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 is rated to a maximum of 1 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 26 ZX 2005 tops out at 500 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 ZX 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 is certified for 10. 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 26 ZX 2005 and Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 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 26 ZX 2005 or the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011?

The Donzi 26 ZX 2005 has the bigger tank at 94 gallons, versus 17 gallons on the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011. That 77-gallon difference translates to roughly 231–385 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Donzi 26 ZX 2005 and Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 26 ZX 2005 and the Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 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 ZX 2005 full specs ← Donzi 35 ZR Cuddy 2011 full specs