Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 is the longer of the two at 28,6 feet overall. The Donzi Z-21 1987 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 7,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 is rated to a maximum of 550 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi Z-21 1987 tops out at 350 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 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Donzi Z-21 1987 is certified for 6. 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi Z-21 1987 has the bigger tank at 66 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 and Donzi Z-21 1987 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 and the Donzi Z-21 1987 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 2009 vs Donzi Z-21 1987

Donzi

Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009

2009

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Donzi

Donzi Z-21 1987

1987

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 550 hp, the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 has a 200-hp advantage over the Donzi Z-21 1987's 350-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 Z-21 1987 carries 66 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 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 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Donzi Z-21 1987 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 28,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi Z-21 1987 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeDonzi

Makenot available

Model29 ZF Cuddy

Modelnot available

Model Year2009

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.74

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches108

Beam - Inchesnot available

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 - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.64

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches104

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech

Deadrisenot available

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail6,000 lbs. (2,721 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg2721.55

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.6

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Meters8.71

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet28.58

Length - Feet21

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

Length overall - Detail21.00 ft

Length overall - Meters8.71

Length overall - Meters6.4

Length overall - Inches343

Length overall - Inches252

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal. (681.42 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37

Fuel tank capacity - Liters249.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal18

Fuel tank capacity - Gal66

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard - Twin

Drive typeinboard

Engine max550 hp (410.14 kW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercruizer

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower350 hp

Operational Info

HeadPorta-potti

Headnot available

Sleeping capacity2

Sleeping capacitynot available

Water capacity7 gal. (26.5 l)

Water capacitynot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 is the longer of the two at 28,6 feet overall. The Donzi Z-21 1987 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 7,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 is rated to a maximum of 550 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi Z-21 1987 tops out at 350 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 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Donzi Z-21 1987 is certified for 6. 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi Z-21 1987 has the bigger tank at 66 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 and Donzi Z-21 1987 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 29 ZF Cuddy 2009 and the Donzi Z-21 1987 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 2009 full specs ← Donzi Z-21 1987 full specs