Donzi Classic 16

[Budman]

I found a 2001 Donzi Classic 16 with a 5.0 V8 for sale which is like new and at a great price. I just wondered what your thoughts are regarding the Classic 16 versus the Classic 18. I prefer the 18, but they are difficult to find used.

[Rootsy]

this isnt per chance the white and dark green one sitting up here in Southern Michigan for sale at a defunct dealership is it? it's a 2001, 5 litre 2+2 seating boat.. white with dark green boot stripe... i drove by it friday night...

the 16 has it's place but i feel the 18 is more comfortable, roomy and rides better and is more conducive to speed vs the 16. but carries a bit higher price tag.

[Budman]

Thanks for the reply. The 2001 Classic 16 I found is in North Carolina, and it is almost brand new. It is about $2000 below the average NADA book value.

[Rootsy]

but don't count the 16 out if the price is right.. with some playing you can make em a good mannered little boat... wink

i reckon the 16 up this way could be had for 15??? if anyone is interested i can stop in and ask... when ski sensations was still in business they were asking 19,900... that was 2 years ago...

[Budman]

Thanks for the reply. This guy is fairly firm on $18k for his 2001 Donzi Classic 16 5.0L. It was only in the water a few hours and it looks like it just came off the showroom. I have a funny feeling that I should go ahead and buy it, and at least have a Donzi parked in my gargage as a conversation piece.

[Tom Davis]

I Had a 1994 sixteen from new in 94 to 2000, I loved that boat! I wish I still had it. The issue at hand is not how fast or well mannered the boat is, it's a blast to drive, and is very predictable. A must for that boat is to add trim tabs. I got a solid 55mph all day long with a 4.3! The only reason I traded up to a 22 was that I ended up doing most of my boating on the big lake and Winni gets pretty choppy.

So if your not running in rough waters I highly recomend the 16.

Tom Davis
Winni Bandits :cool:

[Budman]

Thanks for your input. I am going to test drive the 2001 Donzi Classic 16 this Sunday. Are the trim tabs mainly just benefical at higher speeds? Unfortunately, the boat does not have them.
Dan

[Rootsy]

Trim Tabs? what are those :D ...

seriously, they can't hurt and they help settle the hull down in the chop at lower speeds as well as level it out when passengers are present... my boat wants to fall left (due to prop torque) when i have riders... tabs would help this... by myself she flies flat and does not porpoise much if any...

i just havn't broken down for this addition yet... guess hydraulic steering is just higher on the list at the moment...

in my humble opinion... prop selection, is just as if not more beneficial than trim tabs for taming the 16... trim tabs make things more comfortable :)

[Budman]

The propeller is a 19" which originally came with the Classic 16 5.0L. If I buy the boat, I may upgrade to a different propeller to get more top end. I imagine the boat will do close to 60mph as is. And recommendations regarding a propeller upgrade?

[Budman]

The propeller is a 19" which originally came with the Classic 16 5.0L. If I buy the boat, I may upgrade to a different propeller to get more top end. I imagine the boat will do close to 60mph as is. And recommendations regarding a propeller upgrade?