Sale or Trade: Sweet 16 350/350 Corvette, 1976, Red

[jengel]

Sale or Trade: a 1976 Donzi sweet 16 that is not yet on Ebay or Boattrader.
http://www.199llc.com/donzi/donzi.jpg
1976 Donzi Sweet 16
Red hull, white deck, red stripe
i350cu. Corvette Engine w/ 350 hp. (original but rebuilt)
new exhaust a year or so ago (Garwood? It was hard to find exhaust that would fit inside the engine compartment without having to cut new holes.)
completely rewired with new wiring harnesses
aluminum prop has just been reconditioned and balanced
boat spent most of its life trailered to Candlewood Lake
used a couple of times in Norwalk but NO bottom paint
it was hauled, rinsed and flushed each time.
it comes with an old Sterling trailer, not much to look at.
it comes with old canvas cover, again not much to look at
it comes with original cockpit cover, still in great shape.
oh, and it has two horns on the deck, original, but I've never seen them on any other sweet 16. Very strange. Can anyone comment if they came from the factory? Good looking long chrome horns. Loud.
upholstery: the seat and benches were done by the original guy who did them for the Donzi factory. I found him on Donzi.net years ago. Now he has died. The cushions are Red with white piping.
I raced a new Donzi 16 last year. The new Donzi's are lighter with trim tabs but with much less horsepower. The 76 shot off the line with that big old elephant ear prop and never looked back. I think it does 50 but I don't have a GPS.
I probably have 15 into this after rebuilding the engine, then new exhaust, then all new wiring and wiring harness, then the upholstery. But I've had fun with it so I am going to take the best offer. The boat is located near Norwalk, Connecticut.
Why am I selling it? I have four kids under the age of 8 and I need a bigger boat. Am considering center console 23-25' late model Donzi, Regulator and SeaCraft. Also selling a 1969 Century 24' (on www.boats.com) now for under $10k.
My wife is motivated to get it out of my driveway and I am motivated to trade up, so make an offer.
phone John 203-247-4700 (please, not at midnight)

[BERTRAM BOY]

Price?

[jengel]

I have been getting plenty of private messages.
That's what I love about this Donzi Registry.
You guys are all nuts about horsepower and speed.
This was the first message:

"I understand my comment on your top speed set off a
firestorm that were removed. I'm guessing top speed is sacrificed for gut
renching acceleration off the line. I'm looking for a ski boat....I think your
boat does better than 50, but from what I hear a the right prop makes a
dramatic difference."

I don't know how fast it is. The prop is a ski prop.
And, it is gut wrenching acceleration.
There is no comparison between this boat and the new Donzi's.
I raced a '97. If I had more nerve I would not have laid off the accelerator
when we approached a large wake. The crazy 16 year old kid (in the new
Donzi I was racing) never let off the gas, passed me, hit the powerboat
wake, flew up in the air out of the waterand came down on his rear quarter.
My entire extended family was watching that day; they know this boat is
faster and capable of killing me, and wants me to sell this boat.
Second, the price. I found a '71 on boattrader for $15,999
I found three from the 90's for $10,500, $14,500 and $18,000. (with half the
horsepower). I found none older than 1990 on boats.com. I'll ask $12,000.
but I will consider all offers.