Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006 vs Donzi 43 ZR 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006 vs Donzi 43 ZR 2007 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 43 ZR 2007 measures 42,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006 at 38,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006 tips the scales at 837 lbs — 712 lbs more than the Donzi 43 ZR 2007 at 125 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 2 150 hp, the Donzi 43 ZR 2007 has a 150-hp advantage over the Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006's 2 000-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 43 ZR 2007 carries 261 gallons versus 239 gallons in the Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006. 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 43 ZR 2007 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Donzi 43 ZR 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 43 ZR 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 42,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model38 ZR Competition
Model43 ZR
Model Year2006
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 2 in. (2.82 m)
Beam8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)
Beam - Meters2.49
Beam - Meters2.69
Beam - Inches98
Beam - Inches106
Bridge clearance - Detail58.8 in. (1.49 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.5
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches58.8
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise22℃
DeadriseVariable
Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (0.56 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail30 in. (0.76 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] meters0.76
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [drive up] inches3
Draft [max] - Detail28 in. (0.71 m)
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (0.97 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.71
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Inches28
Draft [max] - Inches38
Weight - Detail8,370 lbs. (3,797 kg)
Weight - Detail12,500 lbs. (5,669 kg)
Weight - kg3796.57
Weight - kg5669.9
Weight - lbs.837
Weight - lbs.125
Length - Meters11.61
Length - Meters13.06
Length - Feet38
Length - Feet42
Length - Inches1
Length - Inches1
Length overall - Detail38 ft. 1 in. (11.61 m)
Length overall - Detail42 ft. 10 in. (13.06 m)
Length overall - Meters11.61
Length overall - Meters13.06
Length overall - Inches457
Length overall - Inches514
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail239 gal. (904.9 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail261 gal. (988 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters904.71
Fuel tank capacity - Liters987.99
Fuel tank capacity - Gal239
Fuel tank capacity - Gal261
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max2,000 hp (1,901.54 kW)
Engine max2,150 hp (1,603.25 kW)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Operational Info
Headnot available
HeadEnclosed with Porta-potti, fresh water sink and shower
Headroomnot available
Headroom60 in. (1.52 m)
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity10 gal. (37.85 l)