In NEED of a Donzi

I am new to any kind of Forum so hope you can forgive me if I screw something up. Where is spell-check when I need it?
I saw my first Donzi around 1976 or 77 tied to a dock and fell immediatly in Lust with it. It was bright yellow. I waited till the owner returned and eventually got a ride in it. I can't remember what drive it had but I remember with the deep-V the outdrive was completly under water...if it "had" an outdrive. The ride was pretty good in the rough water but it seemed to want to shift from one side to the other. The owner told me that with such a deep-V it had a tendency to want to ride on one side or the other. I wasn't bothered by that but always kept my eye out for one. Unfortunatly I live in Oregon where we don't see any.
Time went on till the 90's when I saw one partially visable under a piece of blue plastic. It was faded red and the trailer tires were sinking into the ground so I inquired. It had no upolstery and the motor had a spun bearing and maybe a few other problems but the guy insisted it was worth $4500 if it only floated. I thought about it for a little too long and when I went back it was gone and I searched all over Portland for it. The internet had been invented by then and I found one clear back in Conneticut but while making plans to drive all the way across the country some body bought it out from under me. It had a 383 tri-power v-drive.
I'm not up to driving all the way across the Country any more but I may go 1/3 of the way for the right price/boat.
I'm down to 2 boats now and more to leave probably next season and I'm searching for a Donzi again. I'm 90% sure I want an 18 but I see a 22 pop up now and then for the price I'm hoping to pay for an 18 and there is the "ride" issue. I can't take the pounding of my 18 ft small-v jet boat any longer. It has a 460 with a Berkley giving it plenty of speed but I don't want to have to slow down for standard boat wake any more. I want to laugh at boat waves and if I do get a little air-born, I want a soft landing.
I would prefer a v-drive as long as it doesnt whine but a good out-drive will be fine too. I want to be able to hit speeds in the upper 50's to mid 60's. My Sister's Rinker will do 52 and I need to blow by Her at least.
I need to keep the price below $15k. ANY help/suggestions will be appreciated.
Thank you ALL very much.

250-361-8234

Lennycg@telus.net

1974 X18

Trailer was new when purchased, probably 20 tows in its life. Aluminum and stainless hubs

350 MAG
Volvo 280
Barry Grant carb
stainless marine

new interior, cover, carpet
4 SS props

best to date was about 62-63 GPS mph

I had it " sold" at $13 two years ago, but the wingnut came out in the person, then sold it last year for $11 but the "wingnut" came out in someone else ( buyers remorse on my doorstep, then they turned away ) so now offered at $8K. I just want to buy a big block ( simple one ) for a new project and want the room. Three DONZI's inside already and one has to go.

I'm done with "wingnuts" by the way...

Lenny - Please hurry up and sell the X so I can stop trying to justify why I need a third boat.

MAN U X OWNERS R KILLING ME HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ted's, Lively One's and now yours Lenny? Any 50 to 55 year old ladies looking for a 54 yr old gentleman to spend their riches on? Sorry, didn't mean to heist the thread............... I feel your need Wannabe18!

Great boat.
Great price.
Great location - for a left coaster........

Not trying to screw Lenny here, but if you're interested in something a bit different than an 18 or 22, please give my Minx some consideration. I will be happy to speak with you about it: 865-254-2833

http://www.donzi.org/forum/showthrea...988-Donzi-Minx

Thanks,
David

I think it was probably a good thing that you missed out on the one you saw in the 90s. ;)

DONZI's wanted and DONZI's for sale area

:)

Mine will be ready this spring but it's on the other side of the country ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWiQ...IsjzTLNORav-9N

PS the boat shouldn't be laying on one side or the other if trimmed proper.

Thanks for the replies ALL, especially you Lenny. Thats a great looking boat for the price and I will keep you in mind. I need to learn a little more about Volvo outdrives and the difference between a Classic 18 and a X-18. Any chance the X has a little less free-board? I see a bit of a rise before the Helm on the deck.
Am I in the correct Thread's here or are these discussions taking place on another?
Yes, the Columbia is where I intend to use it and its rarely flat. I see the 18's run around 2200 lbs, do the 22's go another 1000 lbs or so? The 350 MAG should be just fine, I wouldn't want to go smaller.

I have been on and run along side Lenny's boat, despite the fact he never visits anymore for a beer, his boat is NICE.......the hull is the same as the Classic 18, I believe the deck is slightly different, I am sure X18 specialists will correct me and fill in any details... :thumbs

For the price, the trailer and boat, plus close location you can not beat it...... just buy it and Lenny and I can do a road trip to deliver it...:tap:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fogducker

I have been on and run along side Lenny's boat, despite the fact he never visits anymore for a beer...

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Lenny quit drinking beer.

If I were on the left coast and looking for an 18 I'd already be northbound and hammer down with a bag full of cash.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by duckhunter

Lenny quit drinking beer.

If I were on the left coast and looking for an 18 I'd already be northbound and hammer down with a bag full of cash.

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Lenny NEVER quits drinking beer.......:thumbs

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fogducker

Lenny NEVER quits drinking beer.......:thumbs

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Correct Jeremy... :)

Sorry for the abstinence but dropping by at 11 am ( while at work ) hasn't been in the cards for a while.

See you soon, and answer your phone. :)

You're sure getting a lot of help from your friends here Lenny. One said you would Deliver?
Well don't worry, I wouldn't make you do that without a water trial up there somewhere first.
How's the weather up there? Any ice on the water yet?
I don't drink either, I can't believe I'm acting like this and boat shopping in the Winter, Sober :-/
Keep up the good work.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wannabe18

You're sure getting a lot of help from your friends here Lenny. One said you would Deliver?
Well don't worry, I wouldn't make you do that without a water trial up there somewhere first.
How's the weather up there? Any ice on the water yet?
I don't drink either, I can't believe I'm acting like this and boat shopping in the Winter, Sober :-/
Keep up the good work.

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Despite what you " might " know about this place, we are actualy called the " banana belt " and you will be hard pressed to find snow, let alone frozen anything.

I cant believe I am saying this for the five thousandth time, but when you cross the border the weather doesn't change much... :( especially in 300 miles from you.

:hammer:

I certainly don't need ( but thanks anyway ) help in selling this boat. I actually don't want to. But I have little room, ( heated ) for anymore boats. and I have another a coming shortly.

Wannabe, this is not the boat for you... spend some more time researching the boats, the history, the marque. Putting a 460 BB Ford and a Berkley conversion in it doesn't make me feel all that happy.

Thanks for the interest tho :)

PEACE

Might want to check Captain Kirbys boat brokerage Lake Tahoe. He's listing a 1999 18C with 75 hours. A little over your budget, but it's not too far from ya. You'll save on transport costs. It's been listed for awhile, so maybe price is negotiable??? Good Luck.

www.captainkirby.com/

http://www.captainkirby.com/usedboats.php?id=574

Yo Lenny; Don't know how you got the idea I would swap engine/drive with a boat like yours. That would be crazy!
You said you were looking for a Big Block, I just said I had a 460 hooked to a Berkley pump.
IF I had a Donzi hull without engine or outdrive really CHEAP I would consider scrapping my Phantom hull and transplanting the drive. That would be the cheapest route to get me in a Donzi hull...........so I sent you another personal note.

Thanks for the link Lenny but thats way over my budget. I feel real squeemish about trying to talk down prices. I either like the boat for the price they want or I pass.
I see this thread has about run its course. If an administrator wants to move it or delete it that would be fine with me.
Thanks ALL

I no longer need it. Thanks for all the replys.
doug

Did you buy a boat? Inquiring minds....

Well I thought I was going to buy Lenny's but I haven't heard from him. He said he would be back Monday but didn't say what Monday.
Looks like the best thing I'm going to get on this side of the continent.

----Worth the wait!!! You wont be disappointed.......Bill S

great

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tantrum

I am new to any kind of Forum so hope you can forgive me if I screw something up. Where is spell-check when I need it?
I saw my first Donzi around 1976 or 77 tied to a dock and fell immediatly in Lust with it. It was bright yellow. I waited till the owner returned and eventually got a ride in it. I can't remember what drive it had but I remember with the deep-V the outdrive was completly under water...if it "had" an outdrive. The ride was pretty good in the rough water but it seemed to want to shift from one side to the other. The owner told me that with such a deep-V it had a tendency to want to ride on one side or the other. I wasn't bothered by that but always kept my eye out for one. Unfortunatly I live in Oregon where we don't see any.
Time went on till the 90's when I saw one partially visable under a piece of blue plastic. It was faded red and the trailer tires were sinking into the ground so I inquired. It had no upolstery and the motor had a spun bearing and maybe a few other problems but the guy insisted it was worth $4500 if it only floated. I thought about it for a little too long and when I went back it was gone and I searched all over Portland for it. The internet had been invented by then and I found one clear back in Conneticut but while making plans to drive all the way across the country some body bought it out from under me. It had a 383 tri-power v-drive.
I'm not up to driving all the way across the Country any more but I may go 1/3 of the way for the right price/boat.
I'm down to 2 boats now and more to leave probably next season and I'm searching for a Donzi again. I'm 90% sure I want an 18 but I see a 22 pop up now and then for the price I'm hoping to pay for an 18 and there is the "ride" issue. I can't take the pounding of my 18 ft small-v jet boat any longer. It has a 460 with a Berkley giving it plenty of speed but I don't want to have to slow down for standard boat wake any more. I want to laugh at boat waves and if I do get a little air-born, I want a soft landing.
I would prefer a v-drive as long as it doesnt whine but a good out-drive will be fine too. I want to be able to hit speeds in the upper 50's to mid 60's. My Sister's Rinker will do 52 and I need to blow by Her at least.
I need to keep the price below $15k. ANY help/suggestions will be appreciated.
Thank you ALL very much.

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