22 Donzi vs 24 Pantera???

[rchevelle71]

OK,

Went for my first ride on a 24 Pantera yesterday, and I am thoroughly impressed, but then again, it was a P-5 raceboat with a very experienced driver, and in 4 foot ses. I have never ridden in a 22 Donzi, has anybody ever ridden/driven both boats, that could give me some sort of comparison??? Is it even Close???

[Lenny]

Youshould post this as well in OSO as Joe there (Pantera) might also have some educated input. :)

[EricG]

I know that several folks on the Pantera board (OSO) have moved up from classics to Pantera's...it almost seems like a natural progression once you move beyond the 22C.

I would love to hear more about your ride in the 24, it is on my short list of replacements for my classic when it sells (in fact, unless I find some more money and can get into a 28 Pantera, it IS my short list :biggrin: ).

Keep us posted... I'll see you on that other board :rolleyes:

-EG

[rchevelle71]

I know that several folks on the Pantera board (OSO) have moved up from classics to Pantera's...it almost seems like a natural progression once you move beyond the 22C.

I would love to hear more about your ride in the 24, it is on my short list of replacements for my classic when it sells (in fact, unless I find some more money and can get into a 28 Pantera, it IS my short list :biggrin: ).

Keep us posted... I'll see you on that other board :rolleyes:

-EG
Well, that is kinda where I am going, I know there is nothing quite like owning a Classic, but I am looking for the boat that best suits my needs, if a 22C isnt going to do it, or will be slightly small, then I hate to say it, But I will have to skip over the 22C, at least until I can be a 2 boat owner. I am going to add the text, from the other board, so all can see, and also attach a pic of the boat, the pic was taken at a race in Atlantic City earlier this year, I was too busy holding on to get pics yesterday.

[rchevelle71]

Here it is.......



Went for my first ride on a 24 Pantera yesterday, I have always loved the 28, ever since my first ride on TimG's 28, but it will be a LLLOOOOOOOONNNNNNG time saving my pennies to get a 28, even an older one is out of my reach.

I met ScottB at his house Sunday Morning, and we checked the boat over to get it ready for Deerfield next weekend, all looked good, so we topped off the fluids, and launched the boat, all eyes at the ramp were staring at the beast(Headers and Big Dry Pipes tend to grab attention http://www.speedwake.com/upload/images/smilies/biggrin.gif http://www.speedwake.com/upload/images/smilies/biggrin.gif ). We idled up to the inlet, and Scott showed me where to hold on in the sit downs, We put our vests on, and ripped out of Jupiter Inlet, seas were running about 4 feet, and kinda mixed up. The Boat, and Scotts driving are AWESOME!!!! The boat is a Sit Down, which is new to me, but it is actually quite comfortable, We were getting a little http://www.speedwake.com/upload/images/smilies/biggrin.gif http://www.speedwake.com/upload/images/smilies/biggrin.gif air, and as we were coming down, I was thinking "this is going to Hurt", But it didnt, the boat lands great, tracks straight, Just land, and set up for the next one.

What got me hooked, and convinced that I NEED one is, we came back to the ICW after a little bit(wanted to save the boat for the race next weekend http://www.speedwake.com/upload/images/smilies/biggrin.gif ), and Scott wanted to get it up to speed on Flatter water to check all of the guages, and make sure pressures, and temps were going to be OK for the long run. We idled thru the No-Wake Zone, and after we got past the bridge, Scott opened it up, we were approacing a good sized cruiser that was putting out a decent wake, Scott Just got alongside the wake, and turned into it, one hop, smoooth landing, and Bye Bye Cruiser http://www.speedwake.com/upload/images/smilies/biggrin.gif . Now if that were my Wellcraft, I would have been picking my teeth up of of the floor after hitting that wake at speed. We ran South a bit, and cranked it back around, and made another pass coming North, then put it back on the trailer, and brought it home, and had a few http://www.speedwake.com/upload/images/nsmilies/beer.gif while talking boats, and racing. I didnt bring the camera, because I was afraid of launching it http://www.speedwake.com/upload/images/smilies/eek.gif http://www.speedwake.com/upload/images/smilies/eek.gif , but for anyone who doesnt know the boat, I will attach a pic. from Scott Racing it.

I do most of my Boating along the ICW, heading to Party spots, sandbars, regular bars, and Islands, but also like to run outside every now and again. I have to say, this boat handled the Ocean Like it was MUCH Bigger than 24', and was an awesome ICW Boat, I can see getting to the sandbars, and Peanut Island in a Hurry, and not getting Beat up as bad as I do Now, and even running it on the outside in less than 4 foot(almost every weekend here is 2-4)

Thanks A TON for everything Scott, I owe ya some beers in the pits this weekend!!! We'll all be wearing our Kean Shirts!!! And let me know when your going to work on that addition, I'll come up and give you an extra pair of hands.

[boxy]

I think the 22 zx would compare closer to the 24 Pantera, especially if both were set up the same way, either pleasure, or race.

[rchevelle71]

I think the 22 zx would compare closer to the 24 Pantera, especially if both were set up the same way, either pleasure, or race.
22ZX is also on my list for practicality, but I really dont want a stepped hull boat at this point. If it were strictly for practical reasons, 22 would be on top, but the 24 Pantera in that pic has a full cabin, at least as full as a 24 can be.

[boxy]

I think every 22zx 1997 and before was nonstepped, there are some great deals on BB nonstepped 22zx's right now.

PS: I've lusted after a Pantera 24 since the mid 80's when Pepe sent me a handwritten note, and a bunch of 8x10 glossies in response to a request for a brochure. As a kid in in pre-internet Canada, I thought that was pretty cool.

[rchevelle71]

I think every 22zx 1997 and before was nonstepped, there are some great deals on BB nonstepped 22zx's right now.

PS: I've lusted after a Pantera 24 since the mid 80's when Pepe sent me a handwritten note, and a bunch of 8x10 glossies in response to a request for a brochure. As a kid in in pre-internet Canada, I thought that was pretty cool.That is COOL,

Pepe, Jo, and the whole family are great people, they had a tough year last year, and took a beating on other boards for it, but will pull through. Donzi's are great, and one day I will own one, but I think the 24 is even more Special, and the right way for me to go right now, I hope the donzi boys dont disown me for it, but as soon as I can get the $$$$ together, I am going to be actively shopping for a Pantera, preferably a project that I can rig MY WAY!!!

[GarDog]

[QUOTE=boxy]I think every 22zx 1997 and before was nonstepped, there are some great deals on BB nonstepped 22zx's right now.

I have a 1997 22 ZX now for sale. Non stepped small cabin Big Block in great shape. $19,200. I am moving up and this on has to go befor I can move.

Garland