To buy a 1996 Donzi 18 foot bow rider or not...

[dellsboater]

Looking for new boat, found a nice red 1996 Donzi with 4.3 listed in local paper, anyone know about these boats? Already have the go fast boat, looking for a nice site seeing boat.

Its listed as a bowrider
18 foot
Red in color
With 4.3 Merc...
Any info would be helpful, and or pictures or links
Thanks
SKOL!

[Tidbart]

Only 18 bowrider I know of from 1996.

[media]http://www.donzi.net/photos/osaffell577.jpg[/media]

[Greg Guimond]

If the goal is a site seeing bow rider, forget Donzi. The best all around hull for this is an Ultra 23XS. The actual length tip to transom is 21'10" and it is the smallest hull out there to offer "mid cabin" jump seats, enclosed and out of the elements. It has the open bow, or closed if you prefer, and depending on your need to carry a lot of stuff, you can convert from I/O and use the engine bay as a massive storage closet under the sun pad.

So you get a 65mph boat that has seating for 11 and you can pull with a Subaru if needed.

Here are two pics..........

[VetteLT193]

you could probably buy 4 18' Donzi bowriders for the price of one of those Ultra's.

[Greg Guimond]

The Ultra's are not as expensive as you might think................

[Fluffy Foo-Foo]

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/boa/1973064587.html

not a bow-rider but....

ultra has a GORGEOUS used bow-rider asking 36k

nice looking boats BYW

[Greg Guimond]

F3, that closed bow was the option I was referring to. And that closed bow has a Scorp motor which is the perfect powerplant for the Ultra.

$36k is crazy money to spend, you can get Ultra 23XS used product all day long for $20k or less used and mint. The gent with the closed bow in NJ has had that for sale for months with no takers at $21,500.

btw, nice to hear from you............

[tmh]

I believe the post is asking for feedback on the Donzi bowrider, not what is a good alternative.

[Greg Guimond]

Good point, sorry about that

[joseph m. hahnl]

Looking for new boat, found a nice red 1996 Donzi with 4.3 listed in local paper, anyone know about these boats? Already have the go fast boat, looking for a nice site seeing boat.

Its listed as a bowrider
18 foot
Red in color
With 4.3 Merc...
Any info would be helpful, and or pictures or links
Thanks
SKOL!

The Donzi Medallions are good all around boats. They were started by OMC, to be an entry level family boat, while maintaining Donzi's high standards . These boats where modified V's like the typical runabout so not the fastest ,nor the smoothest in chop, but very stable in wind,all speeds , and especially anchored .Makes an excellent all round cruiser for the family

[dellsboater]

Thanks for the recommendation, but out of my price range!

So will the deadrise on a 18 footer Donzi handle 6 inch chop well? Our other boat has little deadrise and flatter hull and is sweet in glass, but beat the @#$% out of you...

We found one, not sure I guess if it is a Medallion or not did they make more then one model?

Its been hardly used, but with a alum 19 prop only does 48 mph, assume with 21 SS might get into 50's....

Also anyone know weight...only have 3000lb lift..

Thanks

[Tidbart]

With that engine and 18' of boat, you should be OK with the weight, but you may have to some digging to find that info out. You won't find a heck of a lot of info on the Medallions on this site. The boat will be fine in a 6" chop. I think you will find it is a little heavier than most 18's due to the build quality.

It is a 15 y.o. boat so, do a good inspection of the transom, stringers, etc. and if it all works well, negotiate and buy it. BTW, the Medallion was the only bowrider that year that was 18 feet. The only other 18 footer was the Classic. Years ago, a friend had a 21 Medallion and it was built like a tank.

Bob

[VetteLT193]

A buddy of mine had an 18 Medallion, lived in St. Pete. We took it out on Tampa Bay... in a couple of foot chop it wasn't the best ride but still held its own. 6 inches will be just fine.

His was pretty quick though... I want to say he had a 5.0 in it, but can't be sure anymore.

[dellsboater]

Does Donzi have a contact number to ask questions?

It says on NADA it comes with a 235 hp 4.3 V^, 235 out of a 4.3 sounds like alot, my Other boat has a 4.3 we modified with 4BBL, new intake, cam, it s rated now at 200 hp.

[Just Say N20]

48 - 50 mph (gps) seems pretty much right on for that engine/boat combo.

If the engine rpms are within the max range according to the manufacturer with the 19" prop, I would leave it alone. Higher pitch doesn't always produce a greater top speed.

If max rpm is 5000 and you are turning 5000 (load dependent), you could go to a 21, drop about 400 rpms, and maybe pick up a little speed.

You have to consider how you will be boating most of the time. If you will be pulling toys with 8 people in the boat, you best top speed prop won't be a good choice.