Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 vs Donzi 35 ZR 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 or the Donzi 35 ZR 2006?

The Donzi 35 ZR 2006 is the longer of the two at 35,0 feet overall. The Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 comes in at 27,0 feet, making it roughly 8,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 or the Donzi 35 ZR 2006?

For trailering, the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 has the edge at 6 500 lbs dry weight versus 7 800 lbs for the Donzi 35 ZR 2006. 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 2006 is rated to a maximum of 1 050 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 tops out at 700 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 28 ZXO 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Donzi 35 ZR 2006 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 28 ZXO 2008 and Donzi 35 ZR 2006 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 28 ZXO 2008 or the Donzi 35 ZR 2006?

The Donzi 35 ZR 2006 has the bigger tank at 165 gallons, versus 94 gallons on the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008. That 71-gallon difference translates to roughly 213–355 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 and Donzi 35 ZR 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 and the Donzi 35 ZR 2006 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 28 ZXO 2008 vs Donzi 35 ZR 2006

Donzi

Donzi 28 ZXO 2008

2008

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Donzi

Donzi 35 ZR 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 vs Donzi 35 ZR 2006: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 vs Donzi 35 ZR 2006 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 2006 measures 35,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 8,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 at 27,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Donzi 35 ZR 2006 tips the scales at 7 800 lbs - 1 300 lbs less than the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 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 1 050 hp, the Donzi 35 ZR 2006 has a 350-hp advantage over the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008'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 35 ZR 2006 carries 165 gallons versus 94 gallons in the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008. 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 2006 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 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 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 35 ZR 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 35,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 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

Model28 ZXO

Model35 ZR

Model Year2008

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech

DeadriseVariable

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail26 in. (.86 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] meters0.66

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [drive up] inches26

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (0.97 m)

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (.64 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detail6,500 lbs. (2,948 kg)

Weight - Detail7,800 lbs. (3,447.30 kg)

Weight - kg2948.35

Weight - kg3538.02

Weight - lbs.6500

Weight - lbs.7800

Length - Meters8.41

Length - Meters10.74

Length - Feet27

Length - Feet35

Length - Inches7

Length - Inches3

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 7 in. (8.41 m)

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

Length overall - Meters8.41

Length overall - Meters10.74

Length overall - Inches331

Length overall - Inches423

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail94 gal. (355.9 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail165 gal. (624.59 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters355.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters624.59

Fuel tank capacity - Gal94

Fuel tank capacity - Gal165

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O - Twin

Drive typeI/O

Engine max700 hp (521.99 kW)

Engine max1,050 hp (782.98 kW)

Operational Info

HeadPorta-potti

HeadEnclosed with Porta-potti, sink and shower

Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)

Headroom60 in. (1.52 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity10 gal. (37.85 l)

Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 vs Donzi 35 ZR 2006 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 or the Donzi 35 ZR 2006?

The Donzi 35 ZR 2006 is the longer of the two at 35,0 feet overall. The Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 comes in at 27,0 feet, making it roughly 8,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 or the Donzi 35 ZR 2006?

For trailering, the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 has the edge at 6 500 lbs dry weight versus 7 800 lbs for the Donzi 35 ZR 2006. 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 2006 is rated to a maximum of 1 050 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 tops out at 700 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 ZXO 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Donzi 35 ZR 2006 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 28 ZXO 2008 and Donzi 35 ZR 2006 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 28 ZXO 2008 or the Donzi 35 ZR 2006?

The Donzi 35 ZR 2006 has the bigger tank at 165 gallons, versus 94 gallons on the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008. That 71-gallon difference translates to roughly 213–355 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 and Donzi 35 ZR 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Donzi 28 ZXO 2008 and the Donzi 35 ZR 2006 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 28 ZXO 2008 full specs ← Donzi 35 ZR 2006 full specs