Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Donzi 28 ZXO 2005 vs Donzi 32 ZF 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Donzi 28 ZXO 2005 vs Donzi 32 ZF 2008 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 2008 measures 32,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Donzi 28 ZXO 2005 at 27,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Donzi 32 ZF 2008 tips the scales at 7 600 lbs - 1 100 lbs less than the Donzi 28 ZXO 2005 at 6 500 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 700 hp, the Donzi 28 ZXO 2005 has a 150-hp advantage over the Donzi 32 ZF 2008's 550-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 32 ZF 2008 carries 290 gallons versus 94 gallons in the Donzi 28 ZXO 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 32 ZF 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Donzi 28 ZXO 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 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 32 ZF 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 32,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi 28 ZXO 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 Year2008
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 - Inches110
Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech
Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech
Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (0.71 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. (1.09 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches38
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail6,500 lbs. (2,948 kg)
Weight - Detail7,600 lbs. (3,447 kg)
Weight - kg2948.35
Weight - kg3447.3
Weight - lbs.6500
Weight - lbs.7600
Length - Meters8.41
Length - Meters9.78
Length - Feet27
Length - Feet32
Length - Inches7
Length - Inches1
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) w/Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) w/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. (1,097.8 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters355.83
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1097.77
Fuel tank capacity - Gal94
Fuel tank capacity - Gal290
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Engine max700 hp (521.99 kw)
Engine max550 hp (447.42 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)
Headroomnot 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