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View Full Version : Looking for my 1st Donzi need advice please !



YELLOW7
02-21-2005, 09:10 PM
:banghead: I'm looking for my 1st performance boat and I want to get a DONZI. I'm leaning towards the 28ZX, 1999-2000 because its in my price range ($50K).

My question is that I have found several but all have twin 350's except for one that has a single 454MAG. I really didnt want to get twins for my first performance boat but everyone is telling me that a single engine in a 28 foot boat isnt enough......so what is the true answer ?

Also, what kind of speed would I get out of a 28ZX with a single 454MAG ? low 60's from what I have heard so far. I would like to be able to hit at least high 60's (65-68).

Thanks for any responses. You can email directly at technojet@email.com if you like. Jason

YELLOW7
02-21-2005, 09:35 PM
This is the boat I was looking at with the single 454MAG.

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/1/4/77053714.htm

olemissalum
02-22-2005, 01:55 AM
Stay far away from a single engine 28ZX unless you plan to really throw some money at the motor to get in the high 60's. If you want the 28ZX, I would go for the twins!!!! If you want to stay in the single engine, then go with the 26ZX!!

YELLOW7
02-22-2005, 09:56 AM
Thanks for the info. Is the only difference between the 28 and 26 14 inches in the rear ?

olemissalum
02-22-2005, 04:52 PM
The difference is in the cabin. The cockpit of the two are the same. I personally think the 28ZX rides better and would rather have had the 28, but they were a little more expensive when I was shopping, so went with the 26. Both are great boats!!! Good luck

The Hedgehog
02-22-2005, 09:12 PM
28' and single engines are fine. There are plenty of single engine 28' boats that can scream.

I would be more concerned with the 454 mag than the twin issue. You can modify a single 502 to run in the 70's for about $8k. (maybe a little less depending on what else you want to overhaul) Then you will have one engine and lower unit. The fuel efficiency will be better as well.

It also depends on what kind of boating you are doing. If you are going to be constantly airing it out in bigger water than the twins are probably the way to go. If you are riding around on a lake than you don't need two.

DAULEY
02-23-2005, 06:13 AM
i can hook you up with a guy in mich that can build you a big block, long block with about 625 hp for about 6500. carb motor also he gives you a 120 day warranty if interested let me know and ill get you his number
he is building the motor for my squadron
bob

daboys
02-23-2005, 07:56 AM
The boat will handle much better with twins, also can cruise at lower rpms - engines don't work as hard. As for speed, I can get to low 70's with twin 5.7 small blocks - easy on the drives and gas isn't toooooo bad.

YELLOW7
03-02-2005, 09:54 PM
I havent found many 28ZX's with a single but have found several 28 ZXO's though, even some 2004 models. Is that because they think the ZXO as a family performance ? If I'm only looking to go low 60's do think I would be happy with the single 454MAG as a starter performance boat ?

RedDog
03-02-2005, 10:09 PM
...do think I would be happy with the single 454MAG as a starter performance boat ?

in a 28? No

Since this will be a first performance boat, may be 22ZX would be a good move for the first year or 2 and then move up to a 28 twin

Or if bigger is really desired now, a single 26ZX would be a great boat

YELLOW7
03-02-2005, 10:19 PM
My lake gets pretty rough so anything smaller than a 26 probably wont be fun. I had a 24ft. wakeboarding boat prior and it was a beating crossing the lake.

olemissalum
03-03-2005, 06:22 AM
I have had my 26ZX in some pretty nasty lake stuff and also had it out in the Gulf and handled great. This will not ride like your 24ft wakeboard boat!!!!!! If you are insisting on a sinlge engine, I would go with the 26!!!!

daboys
03-03-2005, 06:33 AM
sh*t out of most singles. Only kidding, When I was looking I faced the same dilema, in my opinion the twin setup aids in handling the boat - very important for your first performance boat, you will not have to horse the boat to get on plane, if you are like me and enjoy cruising at 35 mhp the twins will not work nearly as hard at crusing speed - and the #1 reason for twins - wait till you see the looks you get at the dock after you fire up the first - get a good rumble going and then fire up the twin ..... :beer:

daboys
03-03-2005, 06:35 AM
a pic under the hood

RedDog
03-03-2005, 07:05 AM
...I had a 24ft. wakeboarding boat prior and it was a beating crossing the lake.
It's not the size that was beating you - a wakeboard boat is not a deep vee

Shanghied Again
03-03-2005, 08:14 AM
I own a 26ZX runs 65-66 mph with a single 502, My nephew has a 1998 28ZX single 502 and before we did the repower he ran 62 mph Top.. We supercharged his motor and is now running 680hp top speed is 75mph. The only way you will get the boat to run mid 60s is more hp.. I also run a Marina and I am a Donzi Dealer the twin 350 mags runs 70-72 mph and the Scorpion 377s run 78-80 mph.. The 26 and the 28 run almost the same the 28 is a little better in the rough stuff do to the weight of two motors and 12 inches on the nose. they both have the same bottoms and running surface.

YELLOW7
03-03-2005, 12:38 PM
Ok I found a twin in my price range but it's a 1998 28ZX. I heard they made some substantial changes from 1998 to 1999 and some minor changes from 1999 to 2000. Does anyone know what the "real" changes were ?

Thanks.

undertaker
03-03-2005, 01:18 PM
I owned a 2000 28ZX twin 350 MAGS was a great boat all around, they made changes from 1998, to 2000 they did some minor cosmetic changes to the interior as far as the major changes Shanghied Again would be able to anwer you better then most of us :yes:. Good luck :biggrin.:

Undertaker

Shanghied Again
03-03-2005, 02:40 PM
In 1999 the step bottom was changed, the single engine boats and some of the twin engine boats were to radicle riding of a boat. They had a habit of chinning and slipping on the rear. Damn Donzi was perfect proof of that bottom.
In 1999 the 28ZX was retooled and the bottom was made with not as an aggressive step bottom pulled the cockpit foward, and in 2000 the new designed windshield, door cabin and dash were introduced.
The 1999-2005 Donzi 28ZX are one of the best running Performance boats in its size range, They won many honors from Powerboat magazine needless to say several other boating magazines.
These boats were to heavy for racing boat get thim in any poker run and rough water and you will put anyother boat in its size range to shame.