Donzi 38 ZX 2008 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 38 ZX 2008 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi 38 ZX 2008 is the longer of the two at 37,0 feet overall. The Donzi Z-21 1987 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 16,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi 38 ZX 2008 is rated to a maximum of 1 100 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 ZX 2008 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 ZX 2008 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi 38 ZX 2008 has the bigger tank at 225 gallons, versus 66 gallons on the Donzi Z-21 1987. That 159-gallon difference translates to roughly 477–795 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Donzi 38 ZX 2008 and Donzi Z-21 1987 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 38 ZX 2008 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 ZX 2008 vs Donzi Z-21 1987

Donzi

Donzi 38 ZX 2008

2008

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Donzi

Donzi Z-21 1987

1987

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Donzi 38 ZX 2008 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Donzi 38 ZX 2008 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 1 100 hp, the Donzi 38 ZX 2008 has a 750-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 ZX 2008 carries 225 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 ZX 2008 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 ZX 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Donzi 38 ZX 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 37,0 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 ZX

Modelnot available

Model Year2008

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 3 in. (2.82 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.82

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches111

Beam - Inchesnot available

Deadrise22℃ Z-Tech

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] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters1.02

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches4

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail11,500 lbs. (5,216 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg5216.31

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.115

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Meters11.51

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet37

Length - Feet21

Length - Inches9

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail37 ft. 9 in. (11.51 m)

Length overall - Detail21.00 ft

Length overall - Meters11.51

Length overall - Meters6.4

Length overall - Inches453

Length overall - Inches252

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail225 gal. (851.7 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters851.72

Fuel tank capacity - Liters249.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal225

Fuel tank capacity - Gal66

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard - Twin

Drive typeinboard

Engine max1,100 hp (820.27 kW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercruizer

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower350 hp

Operational Info

HeadShower, sink and porta-potti

Headnot available

Headroom5 ft. 10 in. (1.78 m)

Headroomnot available

Sleeping capacity2

Sleeping capacitynot available

Water capacity31 gal. (117.3 l)

Water capacitynot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail10 gal. (37.9 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal1

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Donzi 38 ZX 2008 vs Donzi Z-21 1987 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Donzi 38 ZX 2008 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi 38 ZX 2008 is the longer of the two at 37,0 feet overall. The Donzi Z-21 1987 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 16,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Donzi 38 ZX 2008 is rated to a maximum of 1 100 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 ZX 2008 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 ZX 2008 or the Donzi Z-21 1987?

The Donzi 38 ZX 2008 has the bigger tank at 225 gallons, versus 66 gallons on the Donzi Z-21 1987. That 159-gallon difference translates to roughly 477–795 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Donzi 38 ZX 2008 and Donzi Z-21 1987 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Donzi 38 ZX 2008 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 ZX 2008 full specs ← Donzi Z-21 1987 full specs