Donzi 32 ZF 2005 vs Donzi 38 ZR 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 32 ZF 2005 or the Donzi 38 ZR 2008?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2008 is the longer of the two at 38,0 feet overall. The Donzi 32 ZF 2005 comes in at 32,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Donzi 32 ZF 2005 or the Donzi 38 ZR 2008?

For trailering, the Donzi 32 ZF 2005 has the edge at 76 lbs dry weight versus 95 lbs for the Donzi 38 ZR 2008. 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 38 ZR 2008 is rated to a maximum of 2 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 32 ZF 2005 tops out at 600 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 32 ZF 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Donzi 38 ZR 2008 is certified for 11. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2008 measures 104" wide, compared to 11" for the Donzi 32 ZF 2005. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Donzi 32 ZF 2005 or the Donzi 38 ZR 2008?

The Donzi 32 ZF 2005 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Donzi 38 ZR 2008. That 8-gallon difference translates to roughly 24–40 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Donzi 32 ZF 2005 and Donzi 38 ZR 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 32 ZF 2005 and the Donzi 38 ZR 2008 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 32 ZF 2005 vs Donzi 38 ZR 2008

Donzi

Donzi 32 ZF 2005

2005

View full specs →

Donzi

Donzi 38 ZR 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 32 ZF 2005 vs Donzi 38 ZR 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 32 ZF 2005 vs Donzi 38 ZR 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 38 ZR 2008 measures 38,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Donzi 32 ZF 2005 at 32,0 feet (2005). At 76 lbs and 95 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 2 150 hp, the Donzi 38 ZR 2008 has a 1 550-hp advantage over the Donzi 32 ZF 2005's 600-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 2005 carries 29 gallons versus 21 gallons in the Donzi 38 ZR 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 38 ZR 2008 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Donzi 32 ZF 2005 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Donzi 38 ZR 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 38 ZR 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 38,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi 32 ZF 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeDonzi

Model32 ZF

Model38 ZR

Model Year2005

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)

Beam8 ft. 8 in. (2.64 m)

Beam - Meters2.79

Beam - Meters2.64

Beam - Inches11

Beam - Inches104

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 - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.64

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches104

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech

DeadriseVariable

Draft [drive up] - Detail28 in. (0.71 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.71

Draft [drive up] inches28

Draft [max] - Detail43 in. (1.09 m)

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)

Draft [max] - Meters1.09

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches43

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail7,600 lbs. (3,447 kg)

Weight - Detail9,500 lbs. (4,309 kg)

Weight - kg3447.3

Weight - kg4309.12

Weight - lbs.76

Weight - lbs.95

Length - Meters9.78

Length - Meters11.83

Length - Feet32

Length - Feet38

Length - Inches1

Length overall - Detail32 ft. 1 in. (9.78 m)

Length overall - Detail38 ft. 10 in. (11.83 m)

Length overall - Meters9.78

Length overall - Meters11.84

Length overall - Inches385

Length overall - Inches466

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail290 gal. (1,097.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail210 gal. (795 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters1097.77

Fuel tank capacity - Liters794.94

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typeInboard - Twin

Engine max600 hp (447.42 kw)

Engine max2,150 hp (1,603.25 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Water capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (37.85 l)

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed with Porta-potti, fresh water sink and shower

Headroomnot available

Headroom60 in. (1.52 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Donzi 32 ZF 2005 vs Donzi 38 ZR 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 32 ZF 2005 or the Donzi 38 ZR 2008?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2008 is the longer of the two at 38,0 feet overall. The Donzi 32 ZF 2005 comes in at 32,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Donzi 32 ZF 2005 or the Donzi 38 ZR 2008?

For trailering, the Donzi 32 ZF 2005 has the edge at 76 lbs dry weight versus 95 lbs for the Donzi 38 ZR 2008. 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 38 ZR 2008 is rated to a maximum of 2 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 32 ZF 2005 tops out at 600 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 32 ZF 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Donzi 38 ZR 2008 is certified for 11. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2008 measures 104" wide, compared to 11" for the Donzi 32 ZF 2005. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Donzi 32 ZF 2005 or the Donzi 38 ZR 2008?

The Donzi 32 ZF 2005 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Donzi 38 ZR 2008. That 8-gallon difference translates to roughly 24–40 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Donzi 32 ZF 2005 and Donzi 38 ZR 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 32 ZF 2005 and the Donzi 38 ZR 2008 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 32 ZF 2005 full specs ← Donzi 38 ZR 2008 full specs