Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Donzi 28 ZX 2005 vs Donzi 39 ZSC 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Donzi 28 ZX 2005 vs Donzi 39 ZSC 2005 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 39 ZSC 2005 measures 39,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 12,0 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 — 487 lbs more than the Donzi 39 ZSC 2005 at 168 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 940 hp, the Donzi 39 ZSC 2005 has a 240-hp advantage over the Donzi 28 ZX 2005's 700-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 39 ZSC 2005 carries 302 gallons versus 94 gallons in the Donzi 28 ZX 2005. 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 39 ZSC 2005 is rated for 12 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 39 ZSC 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 39 ZSC 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 39,0 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
Model Year2005
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam12 ft. 2 in. (3.71 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.71
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches146
Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech
Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech
Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in. (0.69 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.61
Draft [drive up] meters0.69
Draft [drive up] inches24
Draft [drive up] inches27
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (0.97 m)
Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Inches38
Draft [max] - Inches39
Weight - Detail6,550 lbs. (2971 kg)
Weight - Detail16,800 lbs. (7,620 kg)
Weight - kg2971.03
Weight - kg7620.35
Weight - lbs.655
Weight - lbs.168
Length - Meters8.4l
Length - Meters12.14
Length - Feet27
Length - Feet39
Length - Inches7
Length - Inches1
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 7 in. (8.41 m)
Length overall - Detail39 ft. 10 in. (12.14 m)
Length overall - Meters8.41
Length overall - Meters12.14
Length overall - Inches331
Length overall - Inches478
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m) w/Arch 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail94 gal. (355.9 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail302 gal. (1,143.4 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters355.83
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1143.19
Fuel tank capacity - Gal94
Fuel tank capacity - Gal302
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max700 hp (521.99 kw)
Engine max940 hp (700.96 kw)
Operational Info
Headroom4 ft. 9 in.(1.45 m)
Headroom6 ft. 0 in. (1.91 m)
Sleeping capacity2
Sleeping capacity4
Water capacity7 gal. (26.5 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189.3 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal2