5/18/98 3:06:14 PM Emmette
Murkett I am in the process of buying Hank's yellow '70 2+3
(assuming his marina can find the trailer). I am planning on using it for
skiing and wonder if anyone has found an elegant way of getting in the
boat from the water. How hard are original windshields to find (is the
original manufacturer still around) and how much are they worth?
206.166.200.209
5/19/98 11:25:14 PM Howard
Ochs Emmette, have fun with the boat. As for entering from
the water, it ain't too graceful. We used to have swim steps before restoration,
now we just step up from the outdrive. Volvo outdrives provide a nice step
while using the lift-eye. Then I usually lumbar clumsilly up onto the hatch
and wait for my brother to tell me to get the hell of his deck. It's not
too much of a chore though...
24.0.3.34
5/20/98 10:50:17 AM Gene
I want to thank everyone for their enthusiastic response on the Donzi Cruise.
I want to ask all interested individuals to e-mail me back and I will send
you a form to fill out. (I'll be needing some info to get the ball rolling)
For those of you that haven't read about the idea...we would like to get
a Donzi cruise/poker run going in South Florida. Right now the destination
is Islamorada in the Florida Keys tenatively late July or mid August on
a weekend. If we can get enough boats to participate, we can get all kinds
of concessions from the various businesses in the area. Hey Jim, given
any consideration to starting a National Donzi Owners Club with state chapters?
And hey guys, I need some parts! Help out a fellow Donzi Owner! Gene. 132.228.70.18
5/23/98 3:25:49 AM Chad
I am looking for a replacement windshield for a 88 Classic, the car-port
I was storing it under fell and broke it, any help on finding a new one
would be greatly appreciated. Thank you 208.155.131.151
5/23/98 12:24:57 PM Dave
Swisher Forrest, I can not prove you formally wrong about the
sweet sixteens, but I do know one thing confirmed, that the Donzi 16 was
known as the sweet sixteen by the one's in the know since the late sixties.
Again, I do not know when names changes formally if they ever did. Norman,
since you're in the know, go ahead and call your Donzi 16, a sweet sixteen.
Good day.
208.205.165.76
5/24/98 7:51:42 AM Frank
Civitano Dave. Good Morning. In the early 60.s there were two
models of the 16. The ski Sporter and the 2+2 model. The 2+2 was nicknamed
Sweet 16 and after several years was actully called that name. In the 80,s
all 16,s were called sweet 16. The 2+2 were special orders and were rairly
seen. Today you can still order the 2+2 Model but all 16,s are now called
Sweet 16 models.
207.79.35.37
5/26/98 4:01:46 PM Mike
McCormick Any information regarding Hornet w/v-drive for sale...prefer
one that needs some work. Also interested in an early donzi sportfish 25-30
feet that I remember seeing in a 1970 buc's boating guide. Please keep
me posted.
206.181.17.181
5/26/98 10:09:37 PM Willy
Wiegman HI - Suncoast Marine Sales in Port Charlotte, Fla.
has a late model 18' Classic with what looks like a Chevy EFI 350 in it
for sale. Also, if you would like me to send you a photo of a windscreen
I have designed and made for my Classic 16, send me your e-mail address.
They are in the style of the small 60's British sports car windscreens.
I have made them from 1/4" lexan and they attach very nicely to the grabrail
with nylon rail clamps. I can probably get them to you for $50 each. They
even fold flat onto the front deck when you don't need them and detract
very little from the classic looks.
152.163.205.104
5/27/98 10:16:51 AM Julie
Help!! My boyfriend and I are looking at a '78 Donzi 18 2+3 with a merc
350. The boat is in great shape and the owner is asking $10,000. Unfortunately,
our banker tells us that book value on the boat is only $6,500. Can this
be right? Is the boat overpriced, or do book values simply not reflect
the resale value of a classic boat? We are concerned that this might cause
us difficulty if we attempt to resell the boat since Donzis aren't widely
appreciated in the Rocky Mountains. Has anyone else run into this difficulty?
152.163.206.105
5/27/98 5:22:02 PM Emmette
Julie- Obviously the value of any boat is going to vary greatly with condition,
location, etc. Bankers are not experts on boats and the publishers of books
that state values for boats are not willing to put their money on the line
to defend their opinions. Banks are geared towards financing new boats
and do not want to be in the business of owning old boats that they do
not know anything about. Most banks in Alabama would be more likely to
give a creditworthy customer an unsecured loan than they would a loaned
tied to what they consider is just an old boat. If your banker will not
give you an unsecured loan for that amount, then he may just be blowing
smoke.
206.166.200.209
5/28/98 12:17:14 AM Jeff
Stone Does anyone have experience driving an 18 Classic fit
with a Berkeley Jet and big block? I have a factory price schedule from
1974 showing this power train as an option. Would appreciate any one's
experience with how it performed (out hole, top speed, etc) Thanks, Jeff
Stone
209.63.113.235
5/28/98 2:09:24 PM Kevan
Mayer Hello from Vermont and lake Champlain! I have a 1972
Ski Sporter with a Ford 302, the Holman-Moody stuff, and a Volvo drive.
In looking at the registry, I see similarly equiped 16s reporting speeds
in the 60s and I only get about 55 mph. The boat seems to be propped right
(5500 rpm @ WOT) with a 14-3/8 X 23" SS wheel re-worked by Spinelli Bros.
The motor has been rebuilt with a Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold, and
a Holley 600 CFM Double Pumper. What should I do to get that extra 8 MPH?
Is a nose cone the way to begin? I LOVE this boat, but I would like a little
more speed. Thanks for any ideas. Kevan
170.222.216.171
5/28/98 6:41:01 PM Greg
Harris I have located a 1987 20' Minx that is in perfect condition
with 250 hrs, 350/270, for $14,900. I am familiar with 16', 18' and 22'
models but I would like to know how this boat differs, what is its reputation,
specs, why was it only offered for two years, is this a good year? 152.163.201.138
5/28/98 10:43:08 PM Ralph
Savarese Kevan, Your boat does not appear to be running at
the right rpm.I had a similar set up in my 18 ft and only ran 4600 rpm
either your prop is not right or you might be cavitating you are definitly
not using those rpms to push water .Is your engine rated at max hp at 5500
rpm? Probably not it just seems to high !
208.251.166.151
5/29/98 10:47:03 AM Emmette
Kevan, I concur with Ralph about the prop. If your engine will rev to 5500
rpm, then your prop has the wrong pitch, unless you plan on pulling 10-15
skiers at one time. A conversation I had the other day with Lee Holman
of Holman & Moody also supports this. A marine engine functions much
like an engine on a dynomometer and high RPM's are not the key to performance.
The Holman & Moody engines use a cam that Ford also used in industrial
engines and it enhances the low-end torque characteristics of the engine,
the best place to find performance in a marine engine. Perhaps your Edlebrock
manifold is not a good match. With the right prop, you should be able to
max out at about 4500 RPM with one person on board and 4200 RPM with a
full load at full throttle.
206.166.200.209
5/29/98 10:55:00 AM David
Ochs Kevan, I have a '69 ski sport also with H-M 302. I use
a 14x19 prop and run 52 mph (using a gps). That's at 5200 rpm. flat out.
When using a 23" pitch, I can go about 48 mph at 4500 rpm. I think my motor
runs pretty good. This leads me to believe that maybe some folks speedometers
aren't accurate. Most people that I've talked with seem to get better speed
with the 18" than with the 16' (all else being equal) Good Luck
204.216.194.166
5/29/98 10:57:04 AM Kevan
Mayer Ralph and Emmette: Thanks for your input. I must admit
that my prop data is wrong. It"s really 14 1/2 X21. I ran into a previous
owner of the boat, and he had the motor rebuilt and I don't know if he
changed the cam or not. This Spinelli prop is very similar to the original
Volvo props that I also have. Any suggestions on what size and pitch to
try are most welcome. Thanks for the help!
152.163.206.235
5/29/98 11:41:30 AM Forrest
Coile Kevin, take a look at the Ron Hill Propellers Thrasher
prop for Volvo-Penta (about $500) or the Volvo-Penta Ultra prop(about $415
often discounted to $360). Hill will work with you on dialing-in the Thrasher
prop for max performance which is worth the extra bucks. The Volvo-Penta
Ultra prop is a bow lifting progressive rake prop available in 14 x 22",
24", and 26" pitch, but you are on your own. Both are short-hub cast stainless
steel and are available in RH and LH. E-mail me for Volvo-Penta Ultra Prop
part numbers or Hill Propellers phone number. 205.145.233.1
5/29/98 9:08:04 PM christian
hello, i have an 86 18 classic. my question to you all is what type of
compound and wax should i use? the combonation colors are honey and red.
The white comes up nice but the red stripe seems to have a clear coat on
it and also seems to have blochiness in it as well. have any other owners
encountered this prob with the stripe? i curenty use heavy oxadation remover
and teflon wax. i have used this combo on other boats and they turn out
great. otherwise besides the stripe the boats looks great. any info would
be great. please feel free to e-mail. thanks.
152.163.197.217
5/30/98 4:03:26 PM peter
gilchrist I have a 1968 16 classic which I have put into the
registry that I am interested in selling. I also have a 1985 18 classic
and thus am "over boated". The 16 classic has just had the engine rebuilt
by Performance Engines, an exceptional local shop owned by a truly master
engine man. We have not put the boat back in the water yet for the final
tune up. The boat is on a new 1998 trailer and is in excellent condition.
It has always been stored indoors. I know what I have invested in the rig
but do not know how to price it. Any suggestions? I can be contacted at
(704) 875 2690.
206.175.205.248
5/23/98 12:24:57 PM Dave
Swisher Forrest, I can not prove you formally wrong about the
sweet sixteens, but I do know one thing confirmed, that the Donzi 16 was
known as the sweet sixteen by the one's in the know since the late sixties.
Again, I do not know when names changes formally if they ever did. Norman,
since you're in the know, go ahead and call your Donzi 16, a sweet sixteen.
Good day.
208.205.165.76
5/24/98 Frank
Civitano Dave. Good Morning. In the early 60s there were two
models of the 16. The ski Sporter and the 2+2 model. The 2+2 was nicknamed
Sweet 16 and after several years was actully called that name. In the 80s
all 16s were called sweet 16. The 2+2 were special orders and were rairly
seen. Today you can still order the 2+2 Model but all 16s are now called
Sweet 16 models.
207.79.35.37
5/26/98 4:01:46 PM Mike
McCormick Any information regarding Hornet w/v-drive for sale...prefer
one that needs some work. Also interested in an early donzi sportfish 25-30
feet that I remember seeing in a 1970 buc's boating guide. Please keep
me posted.
206.181.17.181
5/26/98 10:09:37 PM Willy
Wiegman HI - Suncoast Marine Sales in Port Charlotte, Fla.
has a late model 18' Classic with what looks like a Chevy EFI 350 in it
for sale. Also, if you would like me to send you a photo of a windscreen
I have designed and made for my Classic 16, send me your e-mail address.
They are in the style of the small 60's British sports car windscreens.
I have made them from 1/4" lexan and they attach very nicely to the grabrail
with nylon rail clamps. I can probably get them to you for $50 each. They
even fold flat onto the front deck when you don't need them and detract
very little from the classic looks.
152.163.205.104
5/27/98 10:16:51 AM Julie
Help!! My boyfriend and I are looking at a '78 Donzi 18 2+3 with a merc
350. The boat is in great shape and the owner is asking $10,000. Unfortunately,
our banker tells us that book value on the boat is only $6,500. Can this
be right? Is the boat overpriced, or do book values simply not reflect
the resale value of a classic boat? We are concerned that this might cause
us difficulty if we attempt to resell the boat since Donzis aren't widely
appreciated in the Rocky Mountains. Has anyone else run into this difficulty?
152.163.206.105
5/27/98 5:22:02 PM Emmette
Julie- Obviously the value of any boat is going to vary greatly with condition,
location, etc. Bankers are not experts on boats and the publishers of books
that state values for boats are not willing to put their money on the line
to defend their opinions. Banks are geared towards financing new boats
and do not want to be in the business of owning old boats that they do
not know anything about. Most banks in Alabama would be more likely to
give a creditworthy customer an unsecured loan than they would a loaned
tied to what they consider is just an old boat. If your banker will not
give you an unsecured loan for that amount, then he may just be blowing
smoke.
206.166.200.209
5/28/98 12:17:14 AM JEFF
STONE Does anyone have experience driving an 18 Classic fit
with a Berkeley jet and big block? I have a factory price schedule from
1974 showing this power train as an option. Would appreciate any one's
experience with how it performed (out hole, top speed, etc) Thanks, Jeff
Stone
209.63.113.235
5/28/98 2:09:24 PM Kevan
Mayer Hello from Vermont and lake Champlain! I have a 1972
Ski Sporter with a Ford 302, the Holman-Moody stuff, and a Volvo drive.
In looking at the registry, I see similarly equiped 16s reporting speeds
in the 60s and I only get about 55 mph. The boat seems to be propped right
(5500 rpm @ WOT) with a 14-3/8 X 23" SS wheel re-worked by Spinelli Bros.
The motor has been rebuilt with a Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold, and
a Holley 600 CFM Double Pumper. What should I do to get that extra 8 MPH?
Is a nose cone the way to begin? I LOVE this boat, but I would like a little
more speed. Thanks for any ideas. Kevan
170.222.216.171
5/28/98 6:41:01 PM Greg
Harris I have located a 1987 20' Minx that is in perfect condition
with 250 hrs, 350/270, for $14,900. I am familiar with 16', 18' and 22'
models but I would like to know how this boat differs, what is its reputation,
specs, why was it only offered for two years, is this a good year? 152.163.201.138
5/28/98 10:43:08 PM Ralph
Savarese Kevan, Your boat does not appear to be running at
the right rpm.I had a similar set up in my 18 ft and only ran 4600 rpm
either your prop is not right or you might be cavitating you are definitly
not using those rpms to push water .Is your engine rated at max hp at 5500
rpm? Probably not it just seems to high !
208.251.166.151
5/29/98 10:47:03 AM Emmette
Kevan, I concur with Ralph about the prop. If your engine will rev to 5500
rpm, then your prop has the wrong pitch, unless you plan on pulling 10-15
skiers at one time. A conversation I had the other day with Lee Holman
of Holman & Moody also supports this. A marine engine functions much
like an engine on a dynomometer and high RPM's are not the key to performance.
The Holman & Moody engines use a cam that Ford also used in industrial
engines and it enhances the low-end torque characteristics of the engine,
the best place to find performance in a marine engine. Perhaps your Edlebrock
manifold is not a good match. With the right prop, you should be able to
max out at about 4500 RPM with one person on board and 4200 RPM with a
full load at full throttle.
206.166.200.209
5/29/98 10:55:00 AM David
Ochs Kevan, I have a '69 ski sport also with H-M 302. I use
a 14x19 prop and run 52 mph (using a gps). That's at 5200 rpm. flat out.
When using a 23" pitch, I can go about 48 mph at 4500 rpm. I think my motor
runs pretty good. This leads me to believe that maybe some folks speedometers
aren't accurate. Most people that I've talked with seem to get better speed
with the 18" than with the 16' (all else being equal) Good Luck
204.216.194.166
5/29/98 10:57:04 AM Kevan
Mayer Ralph and Emmette: Thanks for your input. I must admit
that my prop data is wrong. It"s really 14 1/2 X21. I ran into a previous
owner of the boat, and he had the motor rebuilt and I don't know if he
changed the cam or not. This Spinelli prop is very similar to the original
Volvo props that I also have. Any suggestions on what size and pitch to
try are most welcome. Thanks for the help!
152.163.206.235
5/29/98 11:41:30 AM Forrest
Coile Kevin, take a look at the Ron Hill Propellers Thrasher
prop for Volvo-Penta (about $500) or the Volvo-Penta Ultra prop(about $415
often discounted to $360). Hill will work with you on dialing-in the Thrasher
prop for max performance which is worth the extra bucks. The Volvo-Penta
Ultra prop is a bow lifting progressive rake prop available in 14 x 22",
24", and 26" pitch, but you are on your own. Both are short-hub cast stainless
steel and are available in RH and LH. E-mail me for Volvo-Penta Ultra Prop
part numbers or Hill Propellers phone number. 205.145.233.1
5/29/98 9:08:04 PM christian
hello, i have an 86 18 classic. my question to you all is what type of
compound and wax should i use? the combonation colors are honey and red.
The white comes up nice but the red stripe seems to have a clear coat on
it and also seems to have blochiness in it as well. have any other owners
encountered this prob with the stripe? i curenty use heavy oxadation remover
and teflon wax. i have used this combo on other boats and they turn out
great. otherwise besides the stripe the boats looks great. any info would
be great. please feel free to e-mail. thanks.
152.163.197.217
5/30/98 4:03:26 PM peter
gilchrist I have a 1968 16 classic which I have put into the
registry that I am interested in selling. I also have a 1985 18 classic
and thus am "over boated". The 16 classic has just had the engine rebuilt
by Performance Engines, an exceptional local shop owned by a truly master
engine man. We have not put the boat back in the water yet for the final
tune up. The boat is on a new 1998 trailer and is in excellent condition.
It has always been stored indoors. I know what I have invested in the rig
but do not know how to price it. Any suggestions? I can be contacted at
(704) 875 2690.
206.175.205.248
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