Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 vs Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 or the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011?

The Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 is the longer of the two at 28,6 feet overall. The Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 0,6 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 or the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011?

For trailering, the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 has the edge at 6 000 lbs dry weight versus 6 200 lbs for the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011. 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 29 ZF Open 2011 is rated to a maximum of 600 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 tops out at 500 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 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 is certified for 8. 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 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 and Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 share an 9 ft. 0 in. (2.74 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 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 or the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011?

The Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 has the bigger tank at 180 gallons, versus 170 gallons on the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 and Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 and the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 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 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 vs Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011

Donzi

Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006

2006

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Donzi

Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 vs Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 vs Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 at 28,0 ft versus Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 at 28,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 tips the scales at 6 200 lbs - 200 lbs less than the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 at 6 000 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 600 hp, the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 has a 100-hp advantage over the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006's 500-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 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 carries 180 gallons versus 170 gallons in the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 8 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 and its 600-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 with its 500-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeDonzi

Model29 ZF Cuddy

Model29 ZF Open

Model Year2006

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 0 in. (2.74 m)

Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)

Beam - Meters2.74

Beam - Inches108

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m) w/T-Top: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) w/Arch: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.64 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m) With T-Top: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.64 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.64

Bridge clearance - Inches104

Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.94 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches37

Weight - Detail6,000 lbs. (2,722 kg)

Weight - Detail6,200 lbs. (2,812 kg)

Weight - kg2721.55

Weight - kg2812.27

Weight - lbs.6000

Weight - lbs.6200

Length - Meters8.71

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet28.58

Length - Inches7

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 7 in. (8.71 m)

Length overall - Meters8.71

Length overall - Inches343

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal. (681.42 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail170 gal. (643.52 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37

Fuel tank capacity - Liters643.52

Fuel tank capacity - Gal180

Fuel tank capacity - Gal170

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typeOutboard - Twin

Engine max500 hp (372.85 kW)

Engine max600 hp (410.14 kW)

Operational Info

HeadPorta-potti

HeadPorta Pottie

Sleeping capacity2

Sleeping capacitynot available

Water capacity7 gal. (26.5 l)

Storagenot available

StorageBaitwell: 50 gal. (189.3 l)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 vs Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 or the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011?

The Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 is the longer of the two at 28,6 feet overall. The Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 0,6 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 or the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011?

For trailering, the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 has the edge at 6 000 lbs dry weight versus 6 200 lbs for the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011. 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 29 ZF Open 2011 is rated to a maximum of 600 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 tops out at 500 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 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 is certified for 8. 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 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 and Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 share an 9 ft. 0 in. (2.74 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 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 or the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011?

The Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 has the bigger tank at 180 gallons, versus 170 gallons on the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 and Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 and the Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 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 29 ZF Cuddy 2006 full specs ← Donzi 29 ZF Open 2011 full specs