Donzi 28 ZX 2005 boat specs
Donzi
Donzi 28 ZX 2005
2005
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VS
Donzi 32 ZF 2009 boat specs
Donzi
Donzi 32 ZF 2009
2009
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Donzi 28 ZX 2005 vs Donzi 32 ZF 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 28 ZX 2005 vs Donzi 32 ZF 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Donzi 32 ZF 2009 measures 32,1 feet overall (2009), 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 2009 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 700 hp, the Donzi 28 ZX 2005 has a 100-hp advantage over the Donzi 32 ZF 2009's 600-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 28 ZX 2005 carries 94 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Donzi 32 ZF 2009. 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 2009 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 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 32 ZF 2009 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
MakeDonzi
MakeDonzi
Model28 ZX
Model32 ZF
Model Year2005
Model Year2009
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. (0.88 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. (3,446.6 kg)
Weight - kg2971.03
Weight - kg3447.3
Weight - lbs.655
Weight - lbs.76
Length - Meters8.4l
Length - Meters9.77
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. (9.77 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) w/Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.35 m) w/T-Top: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.63 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. (1,097.68 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 max600 hp (447.42 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)
Headnot available
HeadPorta-potti in console
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee

Donzi 28 ZX 2005 vs Donzi 32 ZF 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 28 ZX 2005 or the Donzi 32 ZF 2009?
The Donzi 32 ZF 2009 is the longer of the two at 32,1 feet overall. The Donzi 28 ZX 2005 comes in at 27,0 feet, making it roughly 5,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Donzi 28 ZX 2005 or the Donzi 32 ZF 2009?
For trailering, the Donzi 32 ZF 2009 has the edge at 76 lbs dry weight versus 655 lbs for the Donzi 28 ZX 2005. 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 28 ZX 2005 is rated to a maximum of 700 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 32 ZF 2009 tops out at 600 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 28 ZX 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Donzi 32 ZF 2009 is certified for 9. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Donzi 28 ZX 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 11" for the Donzi 32 ZF 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Donzi 28 ZX 2005 or the Donzi 32 ZF 2009?
The Donzi 28 ZX 2005 has the bigger tank at 94 gallons, versus 29 gallons on the Donzi 32 ZF 2009. That 65-gallon difference translates to roughly 195–325 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Donzi 28 ZX 2005 and Donzi 32 ZF 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Donzi 28 ZX 2005 and the Donzi 32 ZF 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.