Happy 50th Birthday Beverly

[Ralph Savarese]

I am proud to say that after 50 years of owning this boat that each and every year I still look forward to the thrill of the first ride for the season and the fun we will have through out it. I am always looking for better modifications and the thrill of hearing it purr!
I guess it is in my blood! I hope that my son will take the same pride and enjoyment that I did over the past 50 years and look back on the memories that I shared with him like I still do with my Dad.
Beverly go girl for another 50!
Ralph Savarese
Original owner since 1966 and she is better now at 50 like a good wine!

[jl1962]

Golden!

[johnnywhale]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFuYP7MR1Bk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqcw8MUeOAY&t=1m10s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6LKLU-KGso&t=0m29s

[Capevettes]

Happy 50th Ralph. That is a long time to own anything. Some things are definitely worth hanging on to. These boats never seem to get old, even if we do.

[Greg Guimond]

I am proud to say that after 50 years of owning this boat that each and every year I still look forward to the thrill of the first ride for the season.

Ralph Savarese
Original owner since 1966

Ralph, this is amazing. You bought your Ski Sporter 16 brand new in 1966 and have owned it ever since? Holy Moly, that has to be a record. What dealer did you buy it from? Do you remember?

[jl1962]

Greg- Bev is an 18.

Ralph - how about some pix of the birthday girl over the years/decades?

[gcarter]

Greg- Bev is an 18

Greg still doesn't realize and is not convinced that Donzi ever built anything longer than a 16!

[Greg Guimond]

Greg- Bev is an 18.

Ralph - how about some pix of the birthday girl over the years/decades?

Greg still doesn't realize and is not convinced that Donzi ever built anything longer than a 16!

18? Oh my, I never knew they had those.

[jl1962]

18? Oh my, I never knew they had those.

NEXT winter's thread!

[johnnywhale]

Ralph, this is amazing. You bought your Ski Sporter 16 brand new in 1966 and have owned it ever since? Holy Moly, that has to be a record. What dealer did you buy it from? Do you remember?

Ralph's father bought it new, and Ralph was on the maiden voyage while in diapers. It is the family treasure. His father lives on every time the boat is on the Great South Bay. Ralph has had his hands on every square inch of the boat, and is as one while driving it. And sooner or later (hopefully much later!) it will be passed on to a third generation. There are some things in life to which a price tag cannot be affixed, and this barrelback is one of them.

[Greg Guimond]

Wow ........... absolutely awesome. Thanks for the background Johnny.

[JParanee]

That is awesome

[Ralph Savarese]

First off it is is an 18 Triple hatch barrel back don't insult her! And yes my dad purchased boat new from from Venice Marina Lindenhurst LI. A man had returned it to the dealer because he could not make the payments it had already had the name put on it. I have owned and rode in this boat since I was a year old . 50 years of boating / Donzi years have gone into her . Many modifications and improvement changes over the years that I did all myself . Many of the changes were learning curves . Currently has a Gm ZZ383 450 Hp 450 lbs/ tq swinging a solas Titan 23 5200 Volvo 280
Full hydraulic steering, all things concidered I believe right on the edge of 70MPH
not bad My Dad would be impressed originally an interceptor 165 Eaton 2 blade prop did about 45


My Friend Johnny whale did provide some videos of her in the earlier replies