Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2010 vs Donzi 45 ZX 2006: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2010 vs Donzi 45 ZX 2006 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 45 ZX 2006 measures 45,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 6,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2010 at 38,5 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2010 tips the scales at 15 000 lbs - 1 000 lbs more than the Donzi 45 ZX 2006 at 14 000 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 2 700 hp, the Donzi 45 ZX 2006 has a 1 800-hp advantage over the Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2010's 900-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 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2010 carries 420 gallons versus 409 gallons in the Donzi 45 ZX 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 45 ZX 2006 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2010 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Donzi 45 ZX 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 45 ZX 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 13 passengers and at 45,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Donzi 38 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser 2010 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 ZSF Sportfish Cruiser
Model45 ZX
Model Year2010
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam10 ft. 6 in. (3.19 m)
Beam9 ft. 3 in. (2.82 m)
Beam - Meters3.2
Beam - Meters2.82
Beam - Inches126
Beam - Inches111
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 6 in. (1.97 m) w/ Hardtop 9 ft. 7 in. (2.91 m) w/ Radar: 10 ft. 4 in. (3.14 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches124
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech
Deadrise24℃ Z-Tech
Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (0.6 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail32 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.61
Draft [drive up] meters0.81
Draft [drive up] inches24
Draft [drive up] inches32
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.83 m)
Draft [max] - Detail47 in. (1.19 m) (triple)
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Meters1.19
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inches47
Weight - Detail15,000 lbs. (6,208.5 kg)
Weight - Detail14,000 lbs. (6,350 kg)
Weight - kg6803.88
Weight - kg6350.29
Weight - lbs.15000
Weight - lbs.14000
Length - Meters11.73
Length - Meters13.72
Length - Feet38.5
Length - Feet45
Length overall - Detail38 ft. 6 in. (11.73 m)
Length overall - Detail45 ft. 0 in. (13.72 m)
Length overall - Meters11.73
Length overall - Meters13.72
Length overall - Inches462
Length overall - Inches540
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail420 gal. (1,589.8 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail409 gal. (1,548.6 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1589.87
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1548.23
Fuel tank capacity - Gal420
Fuel tank capacity - Gal409
Drive typeOutboard - Triple
Drive typeI/O
Engine max900 hp (671.13 kW)
Engine max2,700 hp (2,013.39 kW)
Operational Info
HeadStand up with shower, vanity, sink and electric head
HeadEnclosed head with shower & vanity
Water capacity50 gal. (189.27 l)
Water capacity40 gal. (151.4 l)
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity2
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail10 gal. (37.9 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal10