Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006 boat specs
Donzi
Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006
2006
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VS
Donzi 43 ZR 2007 boat specs
Donzi
Donzi 43 ZR 2007
2007
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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
MakeDonzi
MakeDonzi
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
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
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)

Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006 vs Donzi 43 ZR 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006 or the Donzi 43 ZR 2007?
The Donzi 43 ZR 2007 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006 comes in at 38,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006 or the Donzi 43 ZR 2007?
For trailering, the Donzi 43 ZR 2007 has the edge at 125 lbs dry weight versus 837 lbs for the Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006. 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 43 ZR 2007 is rated to a maximum of 2 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006 tops out at 2 000 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 38 ZR Competition 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Donzi 43 ZR 2007 is certified for 13. 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 43 ZR 2007 measures 106" wide, compared to 98" for the Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006. 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 38 ZR Competition 2006 or the Donzi 43 ZR 2007?
The Donzi 43 ZR 2007 has the bigger tank at 261 gallons, versus 239 gallons on the Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006. That 22-gallon difference translates to roughly 66–110 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006 and Donzi 43 ZR 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Donzi 38 ZR Competition 2006 and the Donzi 43 ZR 2007 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.