Donzi 38 ZR 2005 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 38 ZR 2005 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2005 is the longer of the two at 38,0 feet overall. The Donzi Z-21 1987 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 17,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2005 is rated to a maximum of 2 000 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 38 ZR 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 11 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 38 ZR 2005 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2005 has the bigger tank at 239 gallons, versus 66 gallons on the Donzi Z-21 1987. That 173-gallon difference translates to roughly 519–865 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Donzi 38 ZR 2005 and Donzi Z-21 1987 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 38 ZR 2005 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 38 ZR 2005 vs Donzi Z-21 1987

Donzi

Donzi 38 ZR 2005

2005

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Donzi

Donzi Z-21 1987

1987

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 38 ZR 2005 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 38 ZR 2005 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 2 000 hp, the Donzi 38 ZR 2005 has a 1 650-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 38 ZR 2005 carries 239 gallons versus 66 gallons in the Donzi Z-21 1987. 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 2005 is rated for 11 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 38 ZR 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 38 ZR 2005 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 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

Model38 ZR

Modelnot available

Model Year2005

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 2 in. (2.82 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches98

Beam - Inchesnot available

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

DeadriseVariable

Deadrisenot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (0.56 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail28 in. (0.71 m)

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches28

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail8,370 lbs. (3,797 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg3796.57

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.837

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Meters11.61

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet38

Length - Feet21

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail38 ft. 1 in. (11.61 m)

Length overall - Detail21.00 ft

Length overall - Meters11.61

Length overall - Meters6.4

Length overall - Inches457

Length overall - Inches252

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail239 gal. (904.9 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters904.71

Fuel tank capacity - Liters249.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal239

Fuel tank capacity - Gal66

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeinboard

Engine max2,000 (1,901.54 kw)

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercruizer

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower350 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Donzi 38 ZR 2005 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 38 ZR 2005 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2005 is the longer of the two at 38,0 feet overall. The Donzi Z-21 1987 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 17,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2005 is rated to a maximum of 2 000 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 38 ZR 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 11 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 38 ZR 2005 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2005 has the bigger tank at 239 gallons, versus 66 gallons on the Donzi Z-21 1987. That 173-gallon difference translates to roughly 519–865 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Donzi 38 ZR 2005 and Donzi Z-21 1987 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 38 ZR 2005 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 38 ZR 2005 full specs ← Donzi Z-21 1987 full specs