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View Full Version : Look what I found...



Dakari
06-15-2011, 01:55 PM
Alright, I know it's kind of a stupid thing to get excited for, but I was doing the contortionist thing and crawled up under the dash into the bow of my 76 X-18 today. I saw something that was out of place, kinda jammed down port side between the ski locker section and the hull. Pulled it out thinking it was my paddle and that I had just put it on the wrong side in the fall, until I flipped it over. I know, it's just a paddle but I believe it's original to the boat, and in pretty damn good shape.

Time to look for more goodies...

hardcrab
06-15-2011, 02:15 PM
I've seen them for sale on ebay fetching $300.

Kirbyvv
06-15-2011, 02:20 PM
Nice find!

Marlin275
06-15-2011, 03:07 PM
always interesting to see how worn these paddles are!
they get used often . . .

Planetwarmer
06-15-2011, 03:37 PM
Donzi Racing Paddle. I guess they had a sense of humor even back in the 70's!:yes:

gcarter
06-15-2011, 03:48 PM
That looks like it would be pretty easy to duplicate and then distress.
Hey!
What an idea!:)
Offer them on eBay for $199.00 each......

Carl C
06-15-2011, 04:37 PM
That's not stupid to get excited about at all. It is original to your boat most likely and an awesome find!! I'd probably clean it up a little and hang it on the wall in my home office. Congrats, that is so cool.:cool:

I wonder how many people are going to climb in there now to look around. lol

JimG
06-15-2011, 05:44 PM
No effin way! THAT is the find of 2011!!!

Dakari
06-15-2011, 05:54 PM
Thanks for the responses, I am REALLY thrilled about finding it. I didn't find anything else...Yet! Taking her up to Maine to put her in and break-in the 383 this weekend. Couple of beers and I should be able to squeeze in way up! I might have to take the canoe out and paddle by some of my buddies houses...see if they notice the paddle!

GBond
06-15-2011, 06:37 PM
Congrats...Any real affectionado would consider this a great find and not try and minimize it!

Geeee....whizzzzz Wally

Offset
06-15-2011, 07:49 PM
Neat find. Good luck launching the boat with your new motor. Have fun.:thumbsup:

RedDog
06-15-2011, 07:59 PM
If this were in an auction at one of the Donzi rallys the biddings would be astronomical...

RedDog
06-15-2011, 08:01 PM
Auction... may have to contact my banker about a line of credit...

axelkloehn
06-16-2011, 01:42 AM
That looks like it would be pretty easy to duplicate and then distress.
Hey!
What an idea!:)
Offer them on eBay for $199.00 each......
I could do duplicates in a few minutes, means I would never pay 300$ :bonk:

CHACHI
06-16-2011, 05:50 AM
Axel, it is the "period" wood that is expensive.

Ken

8318
06-16-2011, 05:53 AM
My boat has one of these also,,however I just thought that it was something that the old owner found at like a west marine or a bennys or some sort of a department store back in the 80's.
I never thought that these boats came with a Branded Donzi paddle from the factory.
Come to think of it did they? who can let us know how these paddles were avalable in the day?
Dave

mattyboy
06-16-2011, 06:24 AM
original factory equipment you'll see it listed on sales brochures sometimes they even included a donzi racing team bag. I think this was started in the Chisholm era once Donzi was established. I don't think the early Aronow boats had them. not the message you want to send out on a start up boat company.

Ghost
06-16-2011, 11:05 AM
They're for measuring shallow depths and repelling boarders. :)

Anyone ever try paddling a Donzi? I've tried with two adults with two paddles in a much lighter 17' Whaler. Doesn't really work.

Carl C
06-16-2011, 11:24 AM
They're for measuring shallow depths and repelling boarders. :)

Anyone ever try paddling a Donzi? I've tried with two adults with two paddles in a much lighter 17' Whaler. Doesn't really work.

I sat on the bow and paddled my 22 out of a canal that turned out to be a little to shallow and log filled. No problem sitting on the very tip and paddling. I will always have one on board.

Ghost
06-16-2011, 11:33 AM
I sat on the bow and paddled my 22 out of a canal that turned out to be a little to shallow and log filled. No problem sitting on the very tip and paddling. I will always have one on board.

Sitting on the bow sounds like a good idea with a single paddle. In the shallows, I'd pole along the bottom rather than paddle. I suppose the Donzi, being sleeker, lower in the water, and heavier than a Whaler, wouldn't be as subject to the wind. A hint of breeze would largely overcome two paddlers going all out. If you needed to go more than about 200 feet, it was a nearly hopeless exercise.

Buddyc
06-16-2011, 11:51 AM
Isnt it manditory by Coast Guard that you have a paddle in your boat? They will break you balls in NJ if you get stopped for a rutine inspection and you dont have one...

silverghost
06-16-2011, 12:22 PM
Isnt it manditory by Coast Guard that you have a paddle in your boat? They will break you balls in NJ if you get stopped for a rutine inspection and you dont have one...

Buddy~
A paddle is not Coast Guard required safety equipment.
They do suggest you carry a paddle ,or boat pole however.
An anchor & line , bilge pump, boat hook/pole, first aid kit ,tow line, etc are also not required, but suggested safety equipent.

Carl C
06-16-2011, 12:55 PM
They are not for any distance and you won't fight the wind with one but mine got me out of that canal and one would come in handy if you got towed to the dock so you could paddle up to the dock.

JimG
06-16-2011, 02:07 PM
That's GEOO's reverse gear!!!:eek:

hmcboat
06-29-2011, 05:21 AM
I do remember these from the late 60's .not sure if they came standard with the boat,but it might have. the blue donzi racing team bag sure did.I still have one!

Jraysray
06-29-2011, 06:31 PM
How long is that? My boat came with a lil paddle too. No logo but it looks exactly the same. hummmm..

Phil S
06-29-2011, 07:18 PM
They're for measuring shallow depths and repelling boarders. :)

Anyone ever try paddling a Donzi? I've tried with two adults with two paddles in a much lighter 17' Whaler. Doesn't really work.


Many, many times....:bonk::nilly: