Most sought after Donzi

[1996Z15]

what is considered by most to be the dream Donzi? What is the most sought after Donzi? I personally would like to have any as I like them all but a 24' Spitfire wouldn't suck and I'd also love to have a nice X-18.
If anyone could post pictures of their dream Donzi's that would be great. I haven't seen a picture of a Spitfire in a long time anybody have any that they could post?

[harbormaster]

Hello!? McFly?! tongue.gif

CHECK out the Model list if you want to see a spitfire....

http://www.donzi.net/photos/osaffell526.jpg tongue.gif

[Formula Jr]

For me, it would hands down be a two seat(Drop down bolsters), Hornet I (http://www.donzi.net/photos/osaffell516.jpg), with a 454 or marinized 460, Rev limited, peddel throttle control, tuned for mid-range torque, and a Bravo III or Volvo DP Drive, Standard X-Dimention. Center line, 70 Gal, baffled gas tank. Not for top speed, kinda like a Paris-Dakar motorcycle for the water. I want to see a wave just ahead, and know I can really punch the throttle in an instant. In 90% of most water conditions this boat would probably lose a race against any top tier boat, flat out. But I'm not looking for a race boat - looking for a play boat. This would be designed for the Puget Sound.

Other than my personal preferences, the most sought after Donzi is obviously the GT 21. wink.gif

[BigGrizzly]

At this moment I have my dream boat a Criterion. Its not the fastest, not the cleanest and most prestine, but it is what I need and want today. I didn't think so when I got it, but the more I use it (185 hours last summer, 135 the year before.)the more I like it.

Randy

[1996Z15]

I guess I should have been more specific when I said that I hadn't seem a picture of a Spitfire in a while. I should have said that "other than the Donzi ad, I haven't seen a photo of a Spitfire that someone owned, even in the Registry.

[mattyboy]

my next one!!!!! biggrin.gif

I would say a corsican,I love the older classics, saw a couple of new ZX boats at the ny show very impressed! so back to my original answer
my next one !

Matt

[Gearhead99]

That 24' Spitfire looks alot like the 24' Cigarette I had. Windshield was alittle different and deck was flatter with a cable. But, the overall Arronow look is the same.

In fact many speed boat people would call it a Spitfire. I would tell them that the only Spitfire boat I was familer with was the Donzi. Several claimed that Cigarette made one too.

[Ross]

A 1979 24' Cigarette. http://www.donzi.net/photos/rcooper01.jpg

[elramone]

1996z15..... nice choice.... worth a small fortune too due to its rarity. I can send you some pictures in the near future.. both of a dually and a speedmaster single. Dont worry about ole Biff there... hes probably never seen one either... I love the egos on this board.... cracks me up.

[oldLenny]

Who was "Halter Marine" and what all did they have in their stable? Never heard of them in any mention here before. Is this one of the players at the beginning of Corporate America buying up boat companies?

[lou]

1996Z15

The most sought after Donzi is the one that no one else has, it is the boat that was specially customized by a very unique person and although it resembles other Donzis it is not like any other one built because it, like its owner has a personality. I know many members on this forum that have just such a boat: the ones that they now own.

Here is a link to some Spitfire pictures just double click on the pictures: Enjoy!

http://www.4u2buy.com/donzi/boats.htm

[1996Z15]

Lou thanks for the site link. That Spitfire looks pretty nice, there are some other nice boats in the pictures as well.

[Greg]

I think I read somewhere that the Alpha Z boat(top photo) was wrecked in some of its early runs at somewhere around 90+ mph. Anyone know for sure?

[lou]

madpoodle: I still wear that same swimsuit/pajamas (rather stylish I think). Hot Water was Donzi copy I forget who made it, but if you search the forum you will find the ANSWER. Remember Answer?

Greg; The Alpha Z was never wrecked, it has been sucessfully driven at 120 mph and is alive and well. For those that may not know the Alpha Z is an all wood work of art. For more information , sit back, relax and check this out:

http://www.vandamwoodcraft.com/alphaz.html

http://www.vandamwoodcraft.com/zgallery1.html

http://www.vandamwoodcraft.com/scan7.html

[ToonaFish]

I'll bite... what is the plaid wearers' boat as well as the finned thing in the picture to the left of it? The Jetsons run amok?

Bunches,
Celene "Groovin' The Windshield"

[lou]

Scott: Your mind is always racing!

Wow I got ToonaFish to bite!

The Fined "thing" and fashion suit boat are one in the same it is a 1957 Evinrude Lark, Also built by Cadillac as the Sea Lark and their sister company Wagemaker as the Javelin. I am the proud owner of one of each as well as the only 1958 Sea Lark.

[ToonaFish]

Oh, eer, uh, what interesting taste you have in boats, Mr. Jetson, sir! Um, ah, the Larks and Javelin certainly possess daunting aquadynamic lines. A unique style, surpassed only by your keen fashion sense. I am surprised to learn that only one was made in 1958... what were they thinking?

Bunches,
Celene "exticating fin from gill"

[lou]

Since I had the pajamas errr swimsuit I had to have the boat!
The jetsons were not around back then, the same designer built this one:
http://www.4u2buy.com/donzi/HELISBOAT.jpg
http://www.4u2buy.com/donzi/helis.jpg
Maybe you have heard of him: Brooks Stevens

[ToonaFish]

Having madly hit the search button and found no helpful ANSWER in the Forums, I'll fess to having no clue as to the fame of Mr. Stevens. Hey, I'm a ToonaFish... wet behind the ears!

But I did recognize Mary Tyler Moore playing with the Chopper... how well did those sell?

Bunches,
Celene 'how do you spell Arrowooonowwww?'

[lou]

There was only one heliboat made, I wish I owned it as it would go well with my collection of beanie caps.
Brooks Stevens was a famous designer, he put tail fins on boats;

http://www.4u2buy.com/donzi/BROOKS.jpg

[harbormaster]

Lou,

tell me more about the one seater that is like a hydrafoil. Is that an Interflight Hydroflier?
Do you really have one of these?

Do YOU have an Alpha Z?

[harbormaster]

hows about this one...

http://www.donzi.net/photos/bensen6.jpg

[Formula Jr]

Good history Lou. Always wondered who thought up This Thing! (http://www.epud.net/~owen/strange003.jpg)

[lou]

Scott;
The one seat hydrofoil is a one off. Basically it was a torpedo that could be ridden and somewhat steered. I don't think the inventor ever finished it, however it may have finished him as I never heard from him again.

I do not own the Alpha Z, there is only one and sadly it is not for sale. I have seen this boat first hand and the pictures just don't compare.

Owen:
Yes it was Brooks Stevens that designed it for evinrude and yes it still survives. It is in Florida and it only moves at about 6 mph on the water. It was a neat and stable design, you could see through the bottom via a plastic window. You can also imagine how impractical it would be to tow.