Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Donzi 28 ZX 2005 vs Donzi 32 ZF Open 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Donzi 28 ZX 2005 vs Donzi 32 ZF Open 2013 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 32 ZF Open 2013 measures 32,1 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 5,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Donzi 28 ZX 2005 at 27,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Donzi 28 ZX 2005 tips the scales at 655 lbs — 579 lbs more than the Donzi 32 ZF Open 2013 at 76 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 700 hp for the Donzi 28 ZX 2005 and 700 hp for the Donzi 32 ZF Open 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Donzi 28 ZX 2005 carries 94 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Donzi 32 ZF Open 2013. 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 32 ZF Open 2013 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Donzi 28 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 32 ZF Open 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 32 ZF Open 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 32,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi 28 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
Model28 ZX
Model32 ZF Open
Model Year2005
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches11
Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech
Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech
Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (0.58 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.61
Draft [drive up] meters0.58
Draft [drive up] inches24
Draft [drive up] inches23
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (0.97 m)
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (0.89 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches38
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail6,550 lbs. (2971 kg)
Weight - Detail7,600 lbs. (3,447 kg)
Weight - kg2971.03
Weight - kg3447.3
Weight - lbs.655
Weight - lbs.76
Length - Meters8.4l
Length - Meters9.78
Length - Feet27
Length - Feet32.08
Length - Inches7
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 7 in. (8.41 m)
Length overall - Detail32 ft. 1 in. (9.78 m)
Length overall - Meters8.41
Length overall - Meters9.78
Length overall - Inches331
Length overall - Inches385
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m) With T-Top: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.64 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.64
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches104
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail94 gal. (355.9 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail290 gal. (1,097.77 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters355.83
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1097.77
Fuel tank capacity - Gal94
Fuel tank capacity - Gal29
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Engine max700 hp (521.99 kw)
Engine max700 hp (522 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Headroom4 ft. 9 in.(1.45 m)
Headroomnot available
Sleeping capacity2
Sleeping capacitynot available
Water capacity7 gal. (26.5 l)
Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)
Storagenot available
StorageBaitwell: 50 gal. (189.27 l)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee