Donzi 38 ZR 2010 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 38 ZR 2010 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2010 is the longer of the two at 38,7 feet overall. The Donzi Z-21 1987 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 17,7 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 2010 is rated to a maximum of 2 150 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 2010 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 2010 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi Z-21 1987 has the bigger tank at 66 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Donzi 38 ZR 2010. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Donzi 38 ZR 2010 and Donzi Z-21 1987 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 38 ZR 2010 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 2010 vs Donzi Z-21 1987

Donzi

Donzi 38 ZR 2010

2010

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Donzi

Donzi Z-21 1987

1987

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 38 ZR 2010 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 38 ZR 2010 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 2 150 hp, the Donzi 38 ZR 2010 has a 1 800-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 Z-21 1987 carries 66 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Donzi 38 ZR 2010. 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 2010 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 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 38 ZR 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 38,7 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 Year201

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 8 in. (2.63 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.64

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches104

Beam - Inchesnot available

DeadriseVariable

Deadrisenot available

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.71

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches28

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail9,500 lbs. (4,308.2 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg4309.12

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.95

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Meters11.78

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet38.67

Length - Feet21

Length overall - Detail38 ft. 8 in. (11.78 m)

Length overall - Detail21.00 ft

Length overall - Meters11.79

Length overall - Meters6.4

Length overall - Inches464

Length overall - Inches252

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail190 gal. (719.18 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters719.23

Fuel tank capacity - Liters249.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal19

Fuel tank capacity - Gal66

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard - Twin

Drive typeinboard

Engine max2,150 hp (1,603.26 kW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercruizer

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower350 hp

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed with Porta-potti, fresh water sink and shower

Headnot available

Headroom60 in. (1.52 m)

Headroomnot available

Water capacity10 gal. (37.85 l)

Water capacitynot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Donzi 38 ZR 2010 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 38 ZR 2010 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2010 is the longer of the two at 38,7 feet overall. The Donzi Z-21 1987 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 17,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi 38 ZR 2010 is rated to a maximum of 2 150 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 2010 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 2010 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi Z-21 1987 has the bigger tank at 66 gallons, versus 19 gallons on the Donzi 38 ZR 2010. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Donzi 38 ZR 2010 and Donzi Z-21 1987 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 38 ZR 2010 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 2010 full specs ← Donzi Z-21 1987 full specs