gold-n-rod
02-01-2006, 06:28 PM
Two years ago, I was on study leave and was pounding away at my dissertation. To ease the tedium, I would surf the web. One day, I found this site. I would linger over the Donzi girls and boats (at least I think there were boats) and then snap back to work. I had the vague notion that someday, I'd have a Donzi.
This was a foolish notion. My family was so in love with our 24 foot cuddy. There was just no way they would trade it for a Classic.
Finally, I joined the site and started posting. My first post inquired as to if a 22' Classic could be outfitted with a swim platform and a cushion over the rear hatch so as to keep the family happy. Of course, this was not meant to be. A 22 doesn't easily replace a beloved family water truckster.
Well, several months later the degree was completed and I had a serious health issue (a heart attack) that fairly well brought my boating to a screeching halt for the summer of '04.
By the time celebrated my 1st anniversary here, I was again dreaming of a Donzi. By this time, I was thinking of becoming a 2 boat family; keeping the big boat and ordering a new 16 Classic. Yet, I couldn't make the numbers work. A few months later, I had a nice promotion and found a slightly used 16 nearly a thousand miles away that was equipped EXACTLY they way I would spec out a new one.
At this juncture, I had my first opportunity to experience the Donzi brotherhood. Brad Verd spent most of a Saturday afternoon looking the 16 over for me and posting a ton of pics for me to review. He even spent additional time on the phone afterwards, giving me a blow-by-blow of his inspection. With this info in hand, my dad and I made the trek to Virginia from Michigan to deal on the boat. Of course, we towed it home.
During the summer of '05, I had great fun on the 16. I spent my 50th on the boat! I met others here, including Sam, who shipped me a prop to try, and wouldn't take money until I was satisfied with it. In August, I met up with Tony and his family at Torch Lake for a GREAT day of boating. Old and new 16s, running the lake. It was very cool.
I have yet to get to an official Donzi get-to-gether, but I hope to soon. You guys are too cool to pass up.
If you got this far, all I can say is that you have waaaay too much time on your hands. But if you did, thanks for reading.
And many more :beer:
This was a foolish notion. My family was so in love with our 24 foot cuddy. There was just no way they would trade it for a Classic.
Finally, I joined the site and started posting. My first post inquired as to if a 22' Classic could be outfitted with a swim platform and a cushion over the rear hatch so as to keep the family happy. Of course, this was not meant to be. A 22 doesn't easily replace a beloved family water truckster.
Well, several months later the degree was completed and I had a serious health issue (a heart attack) that fairly well brought my boating to a screeching halt for the summer of '04.
By the time celebrated my 1st anniversary here, I was again dreaming of a Donzi. By this time, I was thinking of becoming a 2 boat family; keeping the big boat and ordering a new 16 Classic. Yet, I couldn't make the numbers work. A few months later, I had a nice promotion and found a slightly used 16 nearly a thousand miles away that was equipped EXACTLY they way I would spec out a new one.
At this juncture, I had my first opportunity to experience the Donzi brotherhood. Brad Verd spent most of a Saturday afternoon looking the 16 over for me and posting a ton of pics for me to review. He even spent additional time on the phone afterwards, giving me a blow-by-blow of his inspection. With this info in hand, my dad and I made the trek to Virginia from Michigan to deal on the boat. Of course, we towed it home.
During the summer of '05, I had great fun on the 16. I spent my 50th on the boat! I met others here, including Sam, who shipped me a prop to try, and wouldn't take money until I was satisfied with it. In August, I met up with Tony and his family at Torch Lake for a GREAT day of boating. Old and new 16s, running the lake. It was very cool.
I have yet to get to an official Donzi get-to-gether, but I hope to soon. You guys are too cool to pass up.
If you got this far, all I can say is that you have waaaay too much time on your hands. But if you did, thanks for reading.
And many more :beer: