Trying to ID a boat...

[bmc69]

I acquired some years ago what is/was purported to be an 18' Donzi, but I have never been able to identify it postively as a Donzi nor what model it would have been. The previous owner had only bought it as a bare/stripped hull and closed up the transom outdrive hole (clearly it has been a Volvo outdrive there, based on the shape of the patched in area viewable from inside), closed over the aft deck and installed an outboard on a bracket, as seen in the picture below.
The hull resembles the late 60's F-14 model very closely, particularly the distinctive barrel/tumblehome transom shape. Another distinctive feature of this thing is that it is not a Deep-V design, though it does have the same lifting strakes as the Deep-V hulls (I also have a Sweet 16 with which to to compare it). The relatively (by Donzi standards) shallow V hull also has a flat 'ride pad' about 18" wide at the stern. Any help in idntifying this baot would be much appreciated. The PO had a one-page Donzi ad that actually showed this model running on the water..I saw it ..but he then lost it long before I bought the boat from him.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/191860/fullsize/72-donzi-18.jpg

[bmc69]

I might have posted this in the wrong forum before..but I figured there has got to be someone amongst the experts around here that could say "yes its a Donzi" or "no its not a Donzi, its a ***"" or even "no its certainly not a Donzi because x, y and z, but I don't know what it is either"
Link to my earlier post..http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=46955&highlight=unusual+Donzi

Thanks in advance...

[bmc69]

Thanks. I searched and found a bunch of different Sidewinder pics on the net and the top deck molded shape details and barrel-shaped transom aren't there. But please keep the ideas/suggestions coming!

[Dredgeking]

Could you post more pics? It does look familiar, but I can't place it.

[mphatc]

There was one of these FS in Meredith, NH 1 1/2 years ago, red I believe with an old Eaton drive. It was also labeled as a Donzi . . .

Harper's Boat Works had it
http://www.harperboats.com/index.htm

You might contact them . . .

Woodsy saw this boat as well . .I'll post him and see if he recalls.

Mario

[Formula Jr]

It is absolutely "Not a Donzi" due to the Hull's deadrise issues and the pad. However, It might be a 18 2+3 deck or an altered copy of an 18 2+3 deck, that was then further altered, on a small run garage made hull. Designers didn't seem to make patent claims on the decks, they were more focused on the strake and hull designs in the claims. Is the hull glass? Or is it glass skinned plywood?

[bmc69]

It is absolutely "Not a Donzi" due to the Hull's deadrise issues and the pad. However, It might be a 18 2+3 deck or an altered copy of an 18 2+3 deck, that was then further altered, on a small run garage made hull. Designers didn't seem to make patent claims on the decks, they were more focused on the strake and hull designs in the claims. Is the hull glass? Or is it glass skinned plywood?

The hull is all hand laid glass and the original configuration had a rear hatch over the engine and was a Volvo I/o. The only thing that is not original on the hull is the aft deck that the guy I got it from put on it to close that off and make it an outboard..whihc was in process before he got it and the aft deck/hatch had been rudely removed..in pieces. Missing in the pics are the fore and aft lift eyes that are the same ones as on my 16 Donzi. I got some more pics of the thing..tried to get key or distinctive mold details that might further help ID this thing. Thanks for the help!

BTW..regardless of what it turns out to be..a fresh 428 is sitting in teh shop for it..going in front of a 12JG Bereley with stuffer intake and ride plate setup. It ran 76.5 on GPS with the 235 OB on the jack plate..will be interesting to see what it does with the jet. (I'm guessin no better..we'll see:wink: )

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/461103/fullsize/p1010241.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/461104/fullsize/p1010242.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/461105/fullsize/p1010243.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/461106/fullsize/p1010245.jpg

[BUIZILLA]

:confused: looks like an original Champ hull, with somebody else's deck on it... :bonk:

[bmc69]

LOL..most responses are like that.."looks like some of dis and some of dat..":yes: Trust me..tis all original exept for the aft deck area. Near as I can tell, the top has never even been taken off the forward deck. If I could take an aerial shot of it, you would see how wildly it flares from stern to bow...it's quite literally a teardrop shape.

[Formula Jr]

I can see from the new photos that the deck is also "Not a Donzi."

The step and the raised center line of the fore deck say it is something else.
The boat looks to have had a wrap-around windshield as part of its over all original design. The moulded bins in the "dashboard" deck suggest that it was intended to have a windshield. If it had a metal flake gelcoat I would have to guess that its an early Glastron-Carlson, or a Carlson. Look closely at the inner walls of the old engine compartment and you might be able to make out the hole pattern that once held the metal badges to the hull. From this hole pattern, we might be able to tell you what it really is.

What ever it is, its a very pretty boat!

[bmc69]

Jr..thanks a load!. I think it does have some blue metal-flake peeking out from under years of 'other' coats in a couple spots. I'll do some more searching and sooner or later you guys will figure out what this thing is.

[rustnrot]

That is a beautiful hull. I love the barrelback design in the rear. What length is it?
I have started my Chris Craft XK18 project and am removing the Jacuzzi jet to install a Pulse Drive surface drive and Toyota Marine 4.0L all aluminum DOHC 300 hp engine.
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m178/rustnrot/Chris%20Craft%20XK18/xk18_native01.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m178/rustnrot/Chris%20Craft%20XK18/xk18_native05.jpg

[bmc69]

That is a very similar hull..classy as heck too. Love some of the old Chris's..

Well, I was going to glibly reply that the boat I'm trying to ID was 18'..because that is what it was always called. But I decided to take a tape measure to it and..son of a gun..she's only 16' 11" from stem to stern. Maybe that will help to ID it.

Sure is going to be fun with the 428 in it...now I know why it seemed that it was going to be a tight fit for an 18' hull...:wink:

[Formula Jr]

http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=35288

Here's an old thread that might be helpful. Funny I can't find any pics associated with the thread anymore.

[justleft]

I dought if it is a Glastron. Most of the early ones had
a more squared of nose.

Could be an early 70's Baja. They made a boat that I believe
was called the Skier. Sorry I can't find a picture.

You may try posting over on their registry (teambaja.com ?)

bob