That is the one that I posted about a few weeks ago on Kent Island, MD.
Greg Maier
1995 Donzi 22 Blackhawk
Has anyone looked at this boat or any history, if so email me at JHarran@aol.com I am very interested in this boat
i like the idea of a V drive. are there any downsides?
You can never have too much horse power, but you can use too much horse power.
Speed
And because it's an inboard, shallow water is more of an issue, the inabilitity to lift the outdrives when launching/retrieving..
Oh, but they are JUST SO COOOOOOL! And reliable! Did I mention COOOOOOL!
If you want speed, buy a tunnel hull... wink
JimG
1970 18 2+3 Hull #18-355 H/M 351W Volvo 250
07 Cayman IT IS BACK! - '13 Abarth Cabrio
PRESERVE, DON'T RESTORE
Tux is right. Speed is sacrificed because they aren't (up) trimable, and because of the added weight of the gearbox.
The V-drive was offered, I believe, because the outdrives of the day couldn't handle the torque of the 427s (Secret Service, Lake LBJ, etc.). I don't know why so many of the V-drives were ordered with the small block motors. I guess old habits die hard.
I would imagine weight distribution is better with a big block, but with the small block it rides a little bow heavy.
Hey Magoo, how did yours ride with the 427?
The last small block V-drive on eBay, the red one, got up to $8200 without meeting the reserve. I'd be surprised if this one gets any bids given the opening bid of $11,500.
FR
Oh, yeah. They're a lot harder to dock. Because they're true inboards, they only back up in one direction no matter where you put the steering wheel. Outboards and I/Os are so much easier to maneuver.
FR
I'm with Brownie on this one... I'd trade my 18' for a V-Drive in a heartbeat! There's just something about 'em! As far as them being "difficult" to drive, it just takes more practice. My Blackfin and my current Trojan are both single screw inboards. It took a while to learn the dynamics, but once you got it down it's easy. winkThe 16', 18, 19', 22' and 28' were all built with a vee drive at one time or another. I always considered the stern drive to be an instrument of the devil. After we sold Donzi for the second time, I started Nova Marine, building only vee drive boats.
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BROWNIE
Jim
1970 18 2+3 Hull #18-355 H/M 351W Volvo 250
07 Cayman IT IS BACK! - '13 Abarth Cabrio
PRESERVE, DON'T RESTORE
Cool....yes. Strong ...yes. I love them. And I agree sterndrives are an instrument of the devil.
That being said there is no way around one fact. In general on a Donzi, and I am just talking about Donzi's here not drag boats and so forth, they are slow. Very slow. If you don't care too much about speed go for it and someday I would love to have one for the cool factor. For example:
John Shabas: Hornet V drive 700-800 hp= 75 mph
Richard Weaver: Hornet Bravo 400 ish hp = 70 mph
Chris
My Donzi looks nice but when I say go...she better move
Poodle,
I think the 22 he is talking about is the 7 meter...originally called the 22.
Chris
I'm not sure about the 22s, but my 1970 21' GT has a V.
CDMA, what's slow? What kind of speeds are attainable in a 18' V-Drive with standard power? I'm seeing 52 mph with my Volvo 250. I'd give up 10 mph to have a V-Drive.
Am I getting old?
1970 18 2+3 Hull #18-355 H/M 351W Volvo 250
07 Cayman IT IS BACK! - '13 Abarth Cabrio
PRESERVE, DON'T RESTORE
My hat's off to anyone who can dock a single screw inboard. We've had a straight drive Century Coronado since '86, and I still find myself fighting to get it onto the boat lift. Whenever Dad hears me returning with it, he races down to the dock to do his human fender act!
FR
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