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View Full Version : New to me 22' Classic



Pat McPherson
12-10-2012, 05:10 PM
She's a 1996 with a 97 502 mag carb engine, bravo 1, small k-planes, and alum 2007 trailer.
Bought her from MDG Performance in MD. Dave went all thru her mechanically and she's turn key ready for the 2013 season. Pics are from the wife's phone this morning. I'll get better ones before putter her to bed for the winter...:cool:

Offset
12-10-2012, 05:44 PM
Very nice looking boat. Good luck with it and enjoy your new Donzi. :thumbsup:

Ghost
12-10-2012, 05:48 PM
Congrats on the new baby, looks sweet! (Dave's a nice guy, and fun to talk to.) -Mike

mattyboy
12-10-2012, 06:13 PM
Good luck with her congrats enjoy!

Pat McPherson
12-10-2012, 06:14 PM
Thanks guys! I have lots of question...
The boat has a 25p Mirage; probably the original prop. What other props work well?
I know the drive is set pretty low but does anyone run a 4 blade?
I ran a labbed Bravo 1 on my 24' Superboat and a stock Revolution 4 also worked vary well. The prop shaft was about 5" below the bottom on that boat.
Dave told me the 3 blade would give the best speed unless I installed a shorty. I'm not looking for the last 1mph but more overall performance.

MDonziM
12-10-2012, 06:50 PM
Is your prop an old Mirage or Mirage + ? My 22 had a stock 502mpi when I got it and it was perfectly dialed in with a 25 Mirage plus.
5100 - 5200 rpm and 71mph. I have been told that 3blades are more effecient than 4 and 4blades give more stern lift which should not be needed.

Congrats on the purchase, I like that color combo.

Pat McPherson
12-10-2012, 07:12 PM
25p Mirage.

gcarter
12-10-2012, 09:43 PM
Nice boat!

It seems the early AMH boats were well built.

Lively-one
12-10-2012, 09:49 PM
Congrats Patrick! Great looking boat with a very nice trailer...:beer:

MDonziM
12-10-2012, 10:27 PM
I'm pretty sure that a Mirage plus just has cup added over the Mirage and that gives a little bow lift. There are plenty of them around for sale used, I think I even still have mine.

ITTLFLI
12-11-2012, 06:17 AM
Congrats on the new purchase! It looks really nice! I really liked the 25 mirage plus when I had a 502 in mine.

BUIZILLA
12-11-2012, 06:36 AM
i've had much better luck with the early Mirage than a Mirage +

but someone else's experience may be different

in fact, if anyone has an early 19" Mirage in great shape i'm a buyer

Carl C
12-11-2012, 07:13 AM
If the drive is stock then I think you have the right prop. Sounds like it should run 73-74 if it can turn a 25 M. A lot of us are running Bravo 1s and some the revs. Mostly in combo with a shorty lower. Now get the hair drier out and start peeling off those stickers ;). Great looking boat. (except for the stickers)

Capevettes
12-11-2012, 09:07 AM
Congratulations on your new boat. Looks like it's in great shape. Enjoy it

RockyS18
12-11-2012, 10:08 AM
Congrats on the boat! Looks great. I like "Boss Donzi".

Carl C
12-11-2012, 10:42 AM
"Congrats on the boat! Looks great. I like "Boss Donzi"."

I'm just giving him a hard time. The ad on OSO said that the stickers would be very easy to remove! If the new owner likes them then fine. Taking them off would be the first thing I would do..... :)

zzzzzz
12-11-2012, 11:10 AM
Good luck Pat, another CT Classic 22

CHACHI
12-11-2012, 12:34 PM
Where in CT?

Ken

Greg Guimond
12-11-2012, 05:07 PM
Congrats Pat. Are you the guy who had a Superboat 24 before?

Stevo440
12-11-2012, 05:59 PM
Congrates on your New Toy, I have the same color combo and totally enjoy it. I got my 2001 22C 454 Mag MPI Bravo 1 with a 23p Mirage plus and it was a very scarey prop on the top end, it would dance all over the place, no-one liked going fast in the boat. I then tried a 25p Turbo 1 and even though the rpms dropped the boat was equally fast and was solid as a rock in all water conditions, it change the whole personality of the boat it was like a different boat, for the better, and then everybody was happy going fast in the boat even me. I've tried other props Turbo 2 + 2 (4 blade) and a Vector (3 blade) and a few others that Randy (Big Grizzley) had around his house, but I always go back to the 25p Turbo 1. I even have a 22 or 23p Turbo 1 that works the same but it bounces off the rev limiter but it is solid as a rock also. Now being you have a Standard Mirage and not the Plus I have no clue as to how that prop behaves. So take this as just FYI so if your going to try out props you have an idea where to start and not waste time and money. Happy boating come Spring.

craigdskilling
12-11-2012, 06:35 PM
That's a great looking boat.Is this your first donzi, and welcome to the best site of knowledge and great guys.

Pat McPherson
12-11-2012, 07:23 PM
I live in Ivorton CT and plan to leave the boat on the trailer at Castle Marina in Chester. She'll be use 90% in the CT River and 10% in LI Sound.
I've had many boats over the years including a 1975 18' Donzi Classic and 1987 20' Donzi Minx. Other boats include a 28' Cig, 24' Pantera, 24' Superboat, 26' Velocity, and others. I also own a 1985 17' Aquasport with a 75hp Merc.
As for props, I plan to start with what she's got and then try a couple of 4 blades. I'm not looking for the last 1mph but the best overall performance. On my last boat, 26' Velocity, I ran a stock 26p B1 and it was perfect. Before the Velocity I had the 24' Super and did lots of prop testing. I ran both a BBlades labbed 28p B1 and a 27p M+, but the best stock prop was a Rev 4.
Yes, the decal/name is coming off the side.
Looking forward to BS'n with you all to help get through the winter...

mario
12-11-2012, 07:49 PM
looks nice i like the blue and white back in the late 70s there was a 18 called boss donzi here in md might have been there frist boat. dave is a great guy to deal with good luck have great summer with it

Pismo
12-13-2012, 06:08 AM
Great boat, I too have a 1996 22 with a 502 and Bravo 1.

Some thoughts....
-25" Mirage Plus is a good all around prop. I have tried a 27" labbed Mirage Plus and got extra top end but went back to the 25" for regular use. I would like to try a 26" Bravo 1 and a Turbo.
-You have a Gen 6 motor, 96 was the first year, so roller lifters, etc.
-I use tabs for leveling at low speed only, you don't need them above 35 mph.
-For top speed you need lots of trim, almost to the limit switch. 74.5mph GPS (on the rev limiter) with the 25" and 75.5mph GPS with the 27" lab. You will not get there without lots of trim. "Normal" trim will get you 71-72.
-Gas use is not too bad if you stay under 3000rpm.
-The rear lifting eye will not support the boat. If you plan to lift with the lifting eyes only, you need to replace the rear bracket. I did and I hang the boat all summer using the two lifting eyes only and have done so for 10 years. Works great.
-Carl C's cabin modification is the best, check it out.

Great boat, you will enjoy it. Easy to drive, very easy to trailer, great speed with stock motor. Would not change much..

Pat McPherson
12-14-2012, 07:37 PM
It was dark when I took these shots.

Carl C
12-14-2012, 09:43 PM
Oh, yeah! Much nicer without the name! Looking good. :)

Offset
12-15-2012, 03:56 AM
I agree with Carl, looks great without the name on the side. I think a classier classic.

Best of luck with your new boat. :thumbsup: