1973 Donzi X-18

[cjearnest]

I have an original 1973 Donzi -18 and I was wondering if anyone knows exactly how many were made and how to read the HIN. If anyone knows I would appreciate any info.

Thanks,

Chris

[Just Say N20]

Post your hull ID and someone will chime in with all the details.

[cjearnest]

Hull ID is DMR1859273X

[Just Say N20]

At one time I owned DMR181370576X.

DMR = DONZI MARINE
18 = length
137 = number built of this model, total since beginning
05 = May
76 = 1976
X = designation for the X18 as opposed to the "regular" 18 classic


Yours would be
DMR = DONZI MARINE
18 = Length
59 = number built
2 = Feb (maybe should be 02)
73 = 1973
X = X18

Matty will hopefully chime in regarding where I messed this up, and much more information regarding number built, last one built, etc.

[mattyboy]

no Bill you have it right that's a very early HIN so the certification date might be only 1 digit later HINs had 2 digit dates and even later alpha-numeric cert. dates and models.

Cj some pics would be nice and if you have serial numbers on the motor and drive that would also help.

X 18 Info

production era feb of 72 to nov of 79

171 hulls produced

[cjearnest]

I have plenty of pictures at home, but here is one that I had at work. I don't know how well it will show up.Donzi.BMPDonzi.BMP

[Just Say N20]

Nice looking boat. I love the color!

I cropped the picture a little.

[Kirbyvv]

The X is my favorite Donzi model.

[cjearnest]

I guess that you are right on the HIN, but it has always been hard for me to believe that if they only made 171 that the 59th one would have been made in February of 1973? Any thoughts on that?

[gcarter]

Like the Minx, most of the boats were built in the first two years, or so.
The market for these things were pretty nichey, and they (Donzi) would build as
many as could be sold.
It stands to reason, the trailing years didn't have very high production numbers.

[mattyboy]

yes when they geared up for a model you would be surprised how many they can pop out and how quickly they can do it. they have multiple molds and have multiple hulls curing at the same time.

example in April of 67 my old 16 and Jay Luries 16 left the molds within a month of each other . my hull 410 and his hull 420 at that rate of 10 per month they could turn out 120 in a year. my 16 took 14 days from start to finish.

Of course as one model picks up in production others fall off, the X was a hot seller and models like the corsican's numbers fell off. 1972-1973 was all asses and elbows time and the factory was busy with probably their largest model line up.

16
16 baby
18
18 corsican
X-18
Hornet
St Tropez
21 Gt
7 meter end of production
24 footers start of production

X 18 production numbers slowed after the first year or two.

that's the right colors for hull 59 should be a CC chevy and a volvo 250

[cjearnest]

Yeah that is correct. I appreciate all of the info. That was very helpful.

[Kirbyvv]

Production really slowed after the first few years. Mine is 161 and is a 1978.

[mattyboy]

Kirby, yes by 78-79 the new kid on the block was the 22 in a few different flavors

so the X 18 and the 16 slowed down then stopped as did the 21gt

by 1980-81 the model line up looked like

18
HornetII
The Criterions
22 2+3

[73X18]

Interesting, I have the boat that came off the production line in Feb of 1973 number 58. It has a Chris Craft Chevy 350 with a Volvo-Penta 270.