Donzi 38 ZR 2007 vs Donzi 43 ZR 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 38 ZR 2007 or the Donzi 43 ZR 2013?

The Donzi 43 ZR 2013 is the longer of the two at 42,8 feet overall. The Donzi 38 ZR 2007 comes in at 38,0 feet, making it roughly 4,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Donzi 38 ZR 2007 or the Donzi 43 ZR 2013?

For trailering, the Donzi 43 ZR 2013 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 95 lbs for the Donzi 38 ZR 2007. 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 43 ZR 2013 is rated to a maximum of 2 700 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 38 ZR 2007 tops out at 2 150 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 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Donzi 43 ZR 2013 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Donzi 43 ZR 2013 measures 106" wide, compared to 104" for the Donzi 38 ZR 2007. 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 38 ZR 2007 or the Donzi 43 ZR 2013?

The Donzi 43 ZR 2013 has the bigger tank at 314 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Donzi 38 ZR 2007. That 293-gallon difference translates to roughly 879–1465 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Donzi 38 ZR 2007 and Donzi 43 ZR 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 38 ZR 2007 and the Donzi 43 ZR 2013 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 2007 vs Donzi 43 ZR 2013

Donzi

Donzi 38 ZR 2007

2007

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Donzi

Donzi 43 ZR 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 38 ZR 2007 vs Donzi 43 ZR 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 38 ZR 2007 vs Donzi 43 ZR 2013 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 2013 measures 42,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Donzi 38 ZR 2007 at 38,0 feet (2007). At 95 lbs and 13 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 2 700 hp, the Donzi 43 ZR 2013 has a 550-hp advantage over the Donzi 38 ZR 2007's 2 150-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 2013 carries 314 gallons versus 21 gallons in the Donzi 38 ZR 2007. 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 2013 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Donzi 38 ZR 2007 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 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 43 ZR 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 42,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi 38 ZR 2007 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

Model38 ZR

Model43 ZR

Model Year2007

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 8 in. (2.64 m)

Beam8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)

Beam - Meters2.64

Beam - Meters2.69

Beam - Inches104

Beam - Inches106

DeadriseVariable

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail30 in. (0.76 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.71

Draft [drive up] meters0.76

Draft [drive up] inches28

Draft [drive up] inches3

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

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (0.97 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches38

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

Weight - Detail13,000 lbs. (5,897 kg)

Weight - kg4309.12

Weight - kg5896.7

Weight - lbs.95

Weight - lbs.13

Length - Meters11.83

Length - Meters13.06

Length - Feet38

Length - Feet42.83

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail42 ft. 10 in. (13.06 m)

Length overall - Meters11.84

Length overall - Meters13.06

Length overall - Inches466

Length overall - Inches514

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail210 gal. (795 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail314 gal. (1,188 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters794.94

Fuel tank capacity - Liters1188.62

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Fuel tank capacity - Gal314

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeInboard - Twin

Engine max2,150 hp (1,603.25 kW)

Engine max2,700 hp (2,013 kW)

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed with Porta-potti, fresh water sink and shower

Headroom60 in. (1.52 m)

Water capacity10 gal. (37.85 l)

Donzi 38 ZR 2007 vs Donzi 43 ZR 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 38 ZR 2007 or the Donzi 43 ZR 2013?

The Donzi 43 ZR 2013 is the longer of the two at 42,8 feet overall. The Donzi 38 ZR 2007 comes in at 38,0 feet, making it roughly 4,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Donzi 38 ZR 2007 or the Donzi 43 ZR 2013?

For trailering, the Donzi 43 ZR 2013 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 95 lbs for the Donzi 38 ZR 2007. 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 2013 is rated to a maximum of 2 700 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Donzi 38 ZR 2007 tops out at 2 150 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 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Donzi 43 ZR 2013 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 2013 measures 106" wide, compared to 104" for the Donzi 38 ZR 2007. 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 2007 or the Donzi 43 ZR 2013?

The Donzi 43 ZR 2013 has the bigger tank at 314 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Donzi 38 ZR 2007. That 293-gallon difference translates to roughly 879–1465 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Donzi 38 ZR 2007 and Donzi 43 ZR 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 38 ZR 2007 and the Donzi 43 ZR 2013 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 2007 full specs ← Donzi 43 ZR 2013 full specs