22C vs. 22ZX

[Donziweasel]

Looking at the Donzi Marine website, I noticed that the 22C was rated to 450 hp and the biggest engine offered is a 496 HO w. Bravo 1x. The 22 zx is only rates for 350 hp and the biggest engine you can get is a 350 mag mpi w/ 300 hp.

If both are 22ft, why is the 22 ZX limited on horsepower vs. the 22C? Hull looks like it could handle much more than 300hp. What is the top speed on a 22ZX?

[Cuda]

On our run today, Last Tango in his 22Zx 350 mag said he hit his highest speed yet at 66 mph. Cool weather and perfect chop.

[Donziweasel]

Just hard to believe that hull can't handle more ponies.:boggled:

[Donzi LG]

Mine is a 2001 with a stock MX 6.2 MPI which is rated at 320HP. AFAIK they are the largest engine Donzi puts in them since around that time(?). I'm sure others will have much more info on this.

John

[Greg K]

It used to have more...you can find many older one's out there with higher HP from the factory.

[BUIZILLA]

(1) 22ZX Scorp at Lake Cumberland Marine + (1) supercharger = (fun, fun, fun)

[BERTRAM BOY]

If I remember correctly, it has something to do with the stepped hull and a liability issue.

[Speed-Racer]

66 on the gauge? The 22ZX has bad handling characteristics with bigger power, so rather than re-design it, just underpower it. For some though it may be just perfect. The 22C handles water better, but the ZX has more cockpit room, and a cuddy you can at least put stuff in.

[RICPAZ]

They've downgraded the engine offerings in the past five years. My '99 had a 502 Mag. That was a fun boat!! I don't think Donzi even makes the 22ZX anymore. Pretty sure '06 was the last year.

[Ranman]

If I remember correctly, it has something to do with the stepped hull and a liability issue.

That's not how Donzi explained it to me. I was told that it has to do with them trying to keep the cost down and keep the boat competitively priced for an entry level performance boat. They said a 22ZX is not that much cheaper to build than a 26ZX. To keep the costs down Donzi chose to keep the builds of the 22ZX relativly consistant using common components and rigging. In other words, they make them all the same to keep it simple and cost effective. I'm not saying it's gospel, just what I was told by the company.

[ChromeGorilla]

You can get up to a 525 in a 22C from the factory.

[ChromeGorilla]

That is correct as well...... the 22ZX is no longer made. LastTango got the last one! :yes:

http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=25243&d=1163899433

[Woodsy]

its a pretty simple math problem....

small boat with wide beam + very aggressive step + big block weight in ass + newbie driver = spinout/lawsuit

Factory doesn't want tabs on a 22ZX either.. for the same reasons...


Woodsy

[Donziweasel]

Chrome- I contacted Donzi and they said the biggest engine offered now is the 496 HO mag at 425 HP for the 22C.

It seems that Donzi has dropped the max hp of many of thier new boats. I know in years past you could get a bigger engine than a 320 horse 6.2L in an 18C, 496 in the 22C and 305 MPI in 16C's. I wonder if it has to do with the powerboat test article on the 22C where they said it had too much hp, if it is simply liability, or they are just trying to be more price competitive. The strange thing is, that on their website, all the boats are rated for much more power. For example, the 22C is rated for 450 hp, but only comes with a 496 as the biggest engine. The 18 is rated for 350 hp, but the biggest engine is a 300 horse 350 mag mpi. 16 is the only one that has a rating and engine match, 260 hp 305 mpi.

I know 525's were once available in 22C, 18C's had 377 horse Scorpions and 16 came with 350's. Probably bigger engines than these were offered at some time.

Anyone have any insight? Maybe fuel economy is also coming into play, but if you can afford a new Donzi, you can probably afford the fuel.

Tango, great catch on getting the last 22zx. Probably become a collectors item one day.

[Carl C]

I thought the blue motor was only offered on a few special edition 22Cs.

[Donziweasel]

Carl, I think you are right, but it was at least offered on a few boats. Anyone seen a Shelby with anything bigger than a 496 out there?

[sweet 16 1966]

Chrome,

You made me laugh at Waynes words...

Believe it was his ride in Tango's 18??

[sweet 16 1966]

Chrome,
You made me laugh at Waynes words...
Believe it was his ride in Tango's 18??

Someone here has a 22zx with a charged up 454 which is hitting
the mid 80's. Not bad for a ZX but I would want a hole shot as well.
The C vs the ZX brings out the discussion. Look at total hours on the water and find your comfort needs.

[ChromeGorilla]

Chrome- I contacted Donzi and they said the biggest engine offered now is the 496 HO mag at 425 HP for the 22C.
It seems that Donzi has dropped the max hp of many of thier new boats.
I know 525's were once available in 22C, 18C's had 377 horse Scorpions and 16 came with 350's.


A few years back the Special Editions were available with an HP 500 EFI. As far as a 525 EFI boat.... I personally saw and touched one in the factory within the last year.....:yes:

As far as the Scorps in the 18's...... if Merc still made them you could still get one, if you wanted to spend the cheese.

[ChromeGorilla]

Chrome,
You made me laugh at Waynes words...
Believe it was his ride in Tango's 18??
Someone here has a 22zx with a charged up 454 which is hitting
the mid 80's. Not bad for a ZX but I would want a hole shot as well.
The C vs the ZX brings out the discussion. Look at total hours on the water and find your comfort needs.

I believe LilGrizz has/had a pro charged 454 or 502 powered 22ZX.

[Shanghied Again]

The big reason was the 22ZX was introduced in 1998 with a step hull everyone at the time were virgins with the new steps and did not understand how to handle the boats. It was not an issue with handeling the 22 ZX handled very well with big blocks, I had a blown 454 that produced 580 Hp and ran 82mph. The problem was spin outs. most of the people that bought step bottom boats didn,t know how to trim resulting in a spin out. Now you have Liability, Insurance and Other problems that result. remeber there was also a cost factor in building a boat with a big block. Most guys would buy a 22 Classic with big power because the boat was already an Icon easy to make no cabin low profile and has a range of owners from Middle Class to Upper Class buying them. The 22 Classic is a great lake, bay, tender and always showed itself as the classic she is. If you put a 22ZX and a 22 Classic side by side people will flock to the classic.
Donzi decided that the price cost on the 22ZX was much higher then the 22 Classic to build and the turn around wasn't that great so it was time to squash the ZX.

[Donziweasel]

Makes sense. Out of the 7 boats I have owned, I can honestly say I have never been in a spinout, except on my jet boat which was intentional. Must be pretty scary to go into a turn not properly trimed and have the boat come around on you. I guess someone could pretty easily get tossed out in a spin. Anyone ever had the pleasure of being in a non-intentional spinout?

[Uncle Fester]

Spun my 22ZX the first summer I had it. 4 people in the boat. Didn't lose anybody but we were all pretty bruised and my fairing above the throttle has nice stress lines in it from my shoulder. Was going about 65 at the time and turned it too sharp.

Sure gained some respect for the boat after that.

[gold-n-rod]

Spun my 22ZX the first summer I had it. 4 people in the boat. Didn't lose anybody but we were all pretty bruised and my fairing above the throttle has nice stress lines in it from my shoulder. Was going about 65 at the time and turned it too sharp.
Sure gained some respect for the boat after that.

How'd you get the brown stains out of the white seats?????
:eek!: :wink:

[ChromeGorilla]

How'd you get the brown stains out of the white seats?????
:eek!: :wink:


LOL.... :D

[BigGrizzly]

Lil Grizzly does have a Wipple charged 7.4. and doesn't have any handling issues. But he has been driving fast stuff his whole life. I have driven the boat also and no problems. I will say a brain fart can cause anything. We can fix anything but stupid.