23' center console Donzi fishing boat

[aquaholicnc]

Bill,

No real problems, just typical old boat things. The transom is solid, haven't found any rot and the boat is in pretty good shape (A few gelcoat cracks inside). The 200hp OX66 engine has very low hours. It was on a 19' Henry O, and that boat never went anywhere. When I aquired the Donzi, I had just sold a 25 Hydra Sport with twins and was thinking I would be OK with the smaller boat. We pulled the tired Optimax off of the Donzi and put the Yamaha off of the Henry O on it. I bet it has less than 150 hours on it.

I fish off of the East coast of NC, mostly for Kings and mahi. I have two small kids (7 and 4) and the lower sidewalls and transom make me a little uncomfortable. It rides a lot bigger than it is, and handles beautifully. I am getting ready to make a new Gauge/Swith panel similar to yours, and I need to put some time into the Lights and the Livewell.

I found a nice 25' sea pro that I can get for a bargain, with twin 150 HPDI's. That boat is a little closer to what I am used to (Reminds me a LOT of my old 25 Vector) and has a lot more fishing room and higher sides.

The trailer is a little bigger than the boat needs, but thats ok. A person with some decent electronics and $500-$1000 spare cash lying around could have one heck of a nice boat. The T top is a custom made, with an electronics box and as you know the boat has a decent amount of storage.

I'm thinking of listing it for around $12k

[Conquistador_del_mar]

The full hydraulic steering has always been fairly stiff since I have had the boat so I finally took it to the mechanic I have been using. After a few phone calls and testing, the Hynautics helm was found to be fine (bypass valves can be turned to see if there is still resistance in the wheel). He wanted to install an entirely new system, but I didn't want to have to make a new plate at the helm, run all new hydraulic hoses, and pay the extra money for parts that apparently did not need to be replaced. The Hynautics steering actuator ram at the outboard was the culprit so he ordered a new seal kit for the Hynautics from his Seastar supplier, but I decided to get a new Teleflex Seastar ram assembly since he could have it shipped next day air and we wouldn't have to wait to see if it was rebuildable. After he installed the new ram and bled the system, I can turn the wheel with one finger! The entire diagnosis and new ram installation was around $800 - money well spent! Here is a link to the kind of steering ram the Mercury 1996 250HP outboard called for. http://www.ebay.com/itm/130991990363...#ht_1736wt_904

[Conquistador_del_mar]

Here is the new actuator ram installed.

[Conquistador_del_mar]

It could not have been a nicer day here in north Texas so my wife and I went out for a few hours this afternoon. The new steering ram made steering easy and I was able to test the lower unit since having it resealed and a new water pump installed -

[scippy]

Bill,

Looks like a picture perfect day all around!...........great that you & the wife can share it all together!
Donzi looks sweet behind the ford...........can't wait to see the TG ........will that ford do the towing?

[Conquistador_del_mar]

Hi Pete,
76 for a high today without a cloud in the sky so we had a good time out. Yes, I bought the 2009 F350 Super Duty last year with low miles to be able to pull anything including the 38' Cigarette. The truck is horrible on mileage, but I like all the features - fully loaded King Ranch.

[Conquistador_del_mar]

My wife and I took out the 23' Donzi fishing boat this afternoon for the 5th trip in it so far this year. Besides being a fabulous day, I took the boat up to a new record speed on the way back to the harbor. 55MPH against the wind with the Merc 250EFI outboard! The best part of the day for me was finding a rare arrowhead type - a perfect Zephyr that dates to between 6000 and 9000 years old - great day!

[aquaholicnc]

I have decided today to part with my 23. It's a 1989 with a 2004 Yamaha ox66 200. Anyone that wants more info pm me or call me @910 471 6337

[Conquistador_del_mar]

I got tired of trying to use the original leaning post for a driver's seat since my wife and dog can't really sit down with me so I ordered a double wide Todd seat that looks like it will be a perfect fit for us. Here it is as I decide its final mounting location. It will be a welcome addition and make seating possible. I will use the original pedestal mounts on the floor which also has a functional footrest that we will now be able to utilize.

[scippy]

Bill that's a nice improvement looks like it's going to be really comfortable!.....everybody can sit together now!
Here's my companion "Charley"...hasen't been on the Cigarette yet, but soon. he travels everywhere with me.

[Conquistador_del_mar]

Bill that's a nice improvement looks like it's going to be really comfortable!.....everybody can sit together now!
Here's my companion "Charley"...hasen't been on the Cigarette yet, but soon. he travels everywhere with me.

Charley looks to be a healthy boy! Our dog, Bear is now 18 and won the "oldest dog" trophy last year at a large local dog event. We know he won't be with us much longer so he gets treated like the special boy he has always been.

[scippy]

That's so awesome........God bless BEAR!!

[Conquistador_del_mar]

Thanks Pete. You know how it is with our pets - they get preferential treatment - lol.
This afternoon I got with my welder to build the aluminum mounting platform plate and underneath storage box for the new Todd seat. Progress!

[scippy]

Bill post up some pictures when you get the platform & box fabricated....I'd love to see them.
On a different note, curious if your 572's are tall deck engines? ..I'm thinking they are.
I know you had a video of them running, but can't remember where it was posted....anyway
I have 2 tall deck 572's in the Mistress with Arizona speed & marine fuel injection...I cracked the
oil/tranny cooler plate on the bell housing and just ordered a new one.....hoping it's an easy fix.

[Conquistador_del_mar]

Okay Pete, I'll take some pictures of the seat base and box when it comes back, and I might have it powder coated by a friend before installing it. Yes, my 572s are tall deck which I believe they have to be in order to make anything over 540s? They are painted black with red powder coated valve covers and intakes. Glen Self Racing Engines completely rebuilt them a few years ago and they have roller cams and roller rockers with Dominator carbs.
I hope your cracked cooler plate is not a big deal to replace.