Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 vs Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 or the Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986?

The Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 is the longer of the two at 33,3 feet overall. The Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 comes in at 29,0 feet, making it roughly 4,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 is rated to a maximum of 600 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 tops out at 260 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 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 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: Are the Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 and Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 and the Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 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 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 vs Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986

Donzi

Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009

2009

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Donzi

Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986

1986

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 vs Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 vs Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 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 600 hp, the Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 has a 340-hp advantage over the Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986's 260-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 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 ZF Cuddy 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 33,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 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

Makenot available

Model35 ZF Cuddy

Modelnot available

Model Year2009

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.79

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches11

Beam - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m) w/Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.35 m) w/T-Top: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.63 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] - Detail23 in. (0.58 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (0.88 m)

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail7,700 lbs. (3,492 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg3492.66

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.77

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Meters10.5

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet33.33

Length - Feet29

Length overall - Detail33 ft. 4 in. (10.5 m)

Length overall - Detail29.00 ft

Length overall - Meters10.16

Length overall - Meters8.84

Length overall - Inches4

Length overall - Inches348

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail261 gal. (9,879.97 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters987.99

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal261

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard - Twin

Drive typeinboard

Engine max600 hp (447.42 kW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercruiser

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower260 hp

Operational Info

HeadPorta-potti Enclosed in center console with fresh water shower & sink

Headnot available

Water capacity14 gal. (52.99 l)

Water capacitynot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 vs Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 or the Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986?

The Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 is the longer of the two at 33,3 feet overall. The Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 comes in at 29,0 feet, making it roughly 4,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 is rated to a maximum of 600 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 tops out at 260 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 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 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.

Are the Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 and Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 and the Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 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 35 ZF Cuddy 2009 full specs ← Donzi Z29 Firefox 1986 full specs