Fall Special...1996 22' Donzi Classic

[BUIZILLA]

72.8 with a 454-385 is pretty impressive as a 502-415 runs the same number with a B1...

[Greg Guimond]

Impressive comments overall. Tony, I would pickle the boat, shrink wrap it, and put it away for a few years. It sounds like you have a potent and rare package that can't be replaced downstream. Maybe you just keep it and come back to it later in life. Only one other out there = keeper

[Tony]

Thanks Greg, and others, for the comments and observations.
Keeping it would be nice but, on the other hand, this boat is a runner and ought to be run!

My boat has an interesting history. A Donzi dealer in Grand Haven, MI ordered the boat and, liking it so much, put it aside and deemed it not for sale. Then the dealership closed, and it remained in storage during disposition proceedings. Then the guy takes ill and passes away, which involves another lengthy asset disposition! So eventually, after 6 years has passed, the boat became part of an inventory auction and was sold to a gentleman from Nappanee, IN. So, this Donzi was finally titled in 2002...even though it is a 1996!

The first owner used it lightly, and serviced it regularly at Wyland's Marine in Mishawaka, IN. The trailer took twice a year trips; drop in the lake in the spring (he kept it on a lift), to the marina for service/winterization in the fall, then straight into heated indoor storage. When I bought it in 2006 the owner estimated less than 100 hours on the boat and about 100 miles on the trailer.

I would term my usage light to moderate over the 7 years I've owned it. I'm looking for a Volvo mechanic who has the right equipment to hook up and verify total hours. If I had to make a WAG I'd put the total time on this engine at about 300 hours.

[lars]

Wonderful boat Tony, with a documented unique history. I'm spreading the word about this one among caring boaters in Sweden and Norway.

One should bare in mind that the difference between this DPX drive and the DPX-HP are important. That not to say that this DPX drive couldn't handle a little more power on a boat as light as the 22-C. The important thing on these is to not run them too high. Good thread on OSO and C_Spray(Chuck Sprague) ran a DPX-HP on his 28 Mannerfelt Batboat and he knows his stuff.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...es-yes-no.html

P.S. Let's not forget our dear friend Forrest's Magnum Sport with twin 600 DPX-HP's. D.S.

[mc donzi]

I had mine scoped about 4 years by a Marine Technician Instructor at a local Community College. The program that he used gave the total running hours(277.8 hrs.)

It also broke it down into 1000 RPM increments.

0-1000 RPM.......146.5 hrs
1000-2000 RPM.. 38.8 hrs
2000-3000 RPM.. 55.9 hrs
3000-4000 RPM.. 24.6 hrs
4000-5000 RPM.. 11.5 hrs
5000+ 0.4 hrs
Maximum RPM..5665(probably airborne...not by me!)

0-1000 RPM, there was no way of telling whether the engine was idling or the boat was at anchor with the key on. I.E.
listening to the stereo.

I installed an hour meter at that time and I currently have 397 hours on the boat.

[Tony]

Neat information, Dave, especially the breakdown by rpm's.
I'm looking forward to doing the same thing to mine...

[Pat McPherson]

Nice options having a fast dual prop and external piston steering. Are parts available for those drives?
Same speed as my 502Mag Bravo boat. My boat now runs rock solid with the new Merc Rev 4 but no way can I let go of the wheel at speeds above 50.

[Pat McPherson]

Post some pics of your engine. I believe the Volvos have the same Intake as the Merc 500EFI and 525EFIs. They are more of a tunnel ram and do make more power at high rpm...

[Tony]

I lost a bunch of pics, somehow, when I switched laptops.
I'll take some more engine and interior shots soon...

[CHACHI]

Tony, sorry to see this, but completely understand.

Good luck with the sale.

Ken

[Tony]

Thanks, Ken. Notice the first pic, in which your special Spectro oil is shown along with the other fluids I have used exclusively. Also, the last two pics are the motorcycle windshield fairing with a reverse venturi curve you turned me on to. It raises the wind line about 6", so instead of hitting me in the smack in the eyes, the wind now skims across the top of my head. Very cool product and modification!

As promised, here are some pics of the engine and cockpit. The boat is now winterized. I'm giving some thought to attending AOTH in the spring, where it will again be up for sale.

[Greg Guimond]

I like the pad touch you added. Also, what are the details on that windshield flange? Interesting I might want to use it on my Team Warlock.

[Moody Blu']

I just pmd you tony, give me a call to talk

[Tony]

I guess a few posts got lost in the shuffle.

Greg, the windshield deflector strip is made by Saeng, linked here:

http://www.saeng.com/product.php?id=551&category=80

Ken Chachi turned me on to it, and it works great - it raised the wind-shear line about 5" in my case.
I used to get hit right in the eyes, and now the wind hits at about the top of my head. (I'm 5'11")

Also, the boat has a new owner, and will soon be heading to South Carolina.
Thanks for all the comments and compliments!

[Greg Guimond]

Thanks for the strip info and someone got a heck of a Donzi!