Looking for my first boat!

[gcarter]

Donzi went through several owners over the years, some were better at building boats than others.
In the '70's, Chisholm was the owner and it was run like a hobby (I've been told) w/just a few boats
built each year. The Chisholm ownership originated the 22 in at least 3 forms, the Criterion, the F-22,
and the 22C. The hulls were identical, only the decks changed. The construction of the series
tended to be light in glass. There was a lot of cracks in the cockpit area of each series.
In about '85, Staples bought the company and carried on the less than ideal glass schedules.
Sometime in '89, or so, OMC bought Donzi and moved at least some of the 22 production to
the Chris Craft plant in Michigan. The CC built boats are supposed to be some of the best 22's
built. In 94, American Marine Holdings (AMH) bought Donzi and made some significant improvements
right across the line. These have become the used Donzi's to buy. There were some issues in the
rear hull bottom between the inner strakes, primarily in boats w/larger engines. There were a
couple of factory fixes in the 2005 (or so) period.
I'd like to add the current ownership is building some of the finest Donzi's ever built in the old
Fountain plant in NC. I have toured the factory and was impressed. They are offering 22's w/as
much as 565 HP.

[Gerk]

Thats some good history there thank you.

I bought a 1981
Should I be worried?

[BUIZILLA]

In about '65, Staples bought the company and carried on the less than ideal glass schedules.

actually, it was '85...

[gcarter]

actually, it was '85...

Even on my best of days, I have typos!

[gcarter]

Thats some good history there thank you.

I bought a 1981
Should I be worried?

I restored an '88 22C Testa Rossa. It had about as many issues as any do.
Here's a link to a thread covering all the work I did and decide if it's
worth it.

http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthre...etting-serious

Or you could buy my my boat!

[Lenny]

WetCoast, many DONZI's around. Take a long coffee and go looking and driving.

What do you want ? EXACTLY

Where are you ?

I have some on the west coast ... ( OK, two running, two spare, not running )

[Greg Guimond]

Hi all, thread revive. Back when I started this thread I ran into some money issues after I found the perfect boat for me which Boomr was considering selling. I've now got back on my feet and have cash in hand to pull the trigger. Does anyone know Boomr (Mike) or how to get a hold of him? He offered me a great deal on a 22C 502 with a procharger and I'd love to snap it up if I can.

WetCoast, many DONZI's around. Take a long coffee and go looking and driving. What do you want? EXACTLY where are you? I have some on the west coast ... ( OK, two running, two spare, not running)

100% agree with Lenny. On top of that if you only want a 22 Classic there are more 22's out there for sale than 18's. A start might be contacting Pat McPherson here on this board. He has a super clean 22 for sale.

[22classic]

Well wetcoast? What's the latest?

[wetcoast]

WetCoast, many DONZI's around. Take a long coffee and go looking and driving.

What do you want ? EXACTLY

Where are you ?

I have some on the west coast ... ( OK, two running, two spare, not running )

Sorry for the late replies. For some reason the subscriptions aren't sending me e-mails.

I want something $20k or less with a big block and a bravo 1. I'm pretty handy mechanically but would like to enjoy it a bit instead of working on it for a year before getting out on the water.

I'm located in Langley, BC, Canada but I was about a day away from sealing a deal on a Chris Craft Xk-18 in Austin Texas for the right deal.

Can you PM me so we can chat?

[wetcoast]

Well wetcoast? What's the latest?

Sorry, my notifications haven't been coming to my e-mails. I'm still looking albeit not very successfully.

[wetcoast]

Donzi went through several owners over the years, some were better at building boats than others.
In the '70's, Chisholm was the owner and it was run like a hobby (I've been told) w/just a few boats
built each year. The Chisholm ownership originated the 22 in at least 3 forms, the Criterion, the F-22,
and the 22C. The hulls were identical, only the decks changed. The construction of the series
tended to be light in glass. There was a lot of cracks in the cockpit area of each series.
In about '85, Staples bought the company and carried on the less than ideal glass schedules.
Sometime in '89, or so, OMC bought Donzi and moved at least some of the 22 production to
the Christ Craft plant in Michigan. The CC built boats are supposed to be some of the best 22's
built. In 94, American Marine Holdings (AMH) bought Donzi and made some significant improvements
right across the line. These have become the used Donzi's to buy. There were some issues in the
rear hull bottom between the inner strakes, primarily in boats w/larger engines. There were a
couple of factory fixes in the 2005 (or so) period.
I'd like to add the current ownership is building some of the finest Donzi's ever built in the old
Fountain plant in NC. I have toured the factory and was impressed. They are offering 22's w/as
much as 565 HP.

Thank you very much for the rule of 1994! I read about it but never know the specifics.

[Lenny]

Wet Coast, BB and Bravo's in an 18 aren't common ( very rare factory ) and the handling and power to weight ratio in that package is not " all that desirable " in my opinion. The same HP is found in small block strokers ( or more ) while shedding 200 pounds aft which the boat LOVES.
IMO, if an 18 is the ticket then a SBC and Alpha and blow up the Alpha and change it out to a BRAVO ( larger cutout, barely ) or preferably IMCO shortie later.

If BBC is your desire, and the BRAVO, then only think 22. And again, later on, think IMCO lower

my $.02

IMO only

[wetcoast]

Wet Coast, BB and Bravo's in an 18 aren't common ( very rare factory ) and the handling and power to weight ratio in that package is not " all that desirable " in my opinion. The same HP is found in small block strokers ( or more ) while shedding 200 pounds aft which the boat LOVES.
IMO, if an 18 is the ticket then a SBC and Alpha and blow up the Alpha and change it out to a BRAVO ( larger cutout, barely ) or preferably IMCO shortie later.

If BBC is your desire, and the BRAVO, then only think 22. And again, later on, think IMCO lower

my $.02

IMO only

Yes, my first choice is a 22C or 22ZX. Second would be an 18.

I've have become fairly proficient with HPTuners while tuning my Caddilac after a cam swap and pulley changes so if the right 18 came along without power I might even venture to try a LS engine swap into an 18C but that would kill my boating season this year.

[CHACHI]

Yes, my first choice is a 22C or 22ZX. Second would be an 18.

I've have become fairly proficient with HPTuners while tuning my Caddilac after a cam swap and pulley changes so if the right 18 came along without power I might even venture to try a LS engine swap into an 18C but what would kill my boating season this year.

I suggest you speak with Glen.

Ken

[wetcoast]

I suggest you speak with Glen.

Ken

Which Glen??? LOL I know lots of Glen's.