Potential purchase, Gelcoat concern

Top-Gun · 10-26-2009, 10:22 PM

I'm new to large powerboats and looking to purchase a used rig. I've come across a 97 Donzi 22 ZX, mechanically the boat looks nice, however it has one flaw that concerns me. The boat has a large number of hairline gelcoat cracks in the deck only (hull is near perfect). These cracks are spread all around the deck and are concentrated in a few areas. There is no evidence of impact so I have a feeling that this is a gelcoat issue caused during molding. My question is in your opinion should I avoid this boat, or is this merely cosmetic and worth just negotiating some money off the price? Could I fix this down the road if I wanted to improve the appearance? Any help is appreciated.

tms1155 · 10-27-2009, 12:11 AM

Hard to tell in the pics but it looks like there is movement between hull and deck causing it. If you look at the top of the rub rails the gel looks like its scuffed from moving.like I said though its hard to tell, it might just be dirt.

glassdave · 10-27-2009, 12:51 AM

I have a 2000 38 ZX that has several of them as well and i had an 01 22 ZX in the shop a week ago to have a bunch of stuff like that fixed. While it wasnt quite that bad they were in the same areas. There were also several at the base of the fairing just above where it bonds to the deck. I dont think its anything structural but more a gel thickness vs. flex issue or something like that which is actually kind of odd as they are very solid boats. Back around 99 to 01 i did a lot of warrenty work for a local Donxi dealership and stress cracks were top of the list as far as the amount of stuff i took care of for them. Worst was the way they attach the fairings to the deck throughout the XZ line. I will say this though they seem to have corrected most of these issues and the brand has improved quality consistantly through the years. The new ones these days are second to none.

What powers in it? I tested the one i had here to 67 mph with 26" B1s, 350 Mag and an Alpha.

Top-Gun · 10-27-2009, 02:40 PM

Thanks for the replies, I was concerned that there may be an issue with the deck coming unbonded but I figure that has to be unlikely. I've also been told that these could be fixed relativley easily with a bit of gelcoat putty and some wetsanding?

This boat has a 454 Magnum turning a 23P mirage prop. Its carbed, but it has stainless marine exhaust on it already. The current owner reports 69 MPH on GPS, I figure it needs more prop and should be in the 70's? I've also heard that the K&N replacement flame arestor is worth some decent power on these mills.

Griff · 10-27-2009, 03:23 PM

That is a LOT of stress cracks. They are most likely only cosmetic, but they will be very expensive to fix. You are probably looking at over 3-4k or more (probably more)in gel repairs.

Top-Gun · 10-27-2009, 09:03 PM

I did assume this would be quite expensive to have repaired, but my prime concern is structural integrity of the hull which by the sounds of it is probably fine.

I'm wondering how difficult this would be to fix myself, I've worked with glass before and am experienced in autobody so I think I'd have the skill to take a crack at it. I figure pull the rub rail, V the cracks out with a small carbide on the dremel, clean everything up, and lay some white gel back in. Wetsand flush and hit it with the polisher. Am I way off and over simplifying this or would this produce a reasonable result with just an investment of time?

Uncle Dave · 10-27-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top-Gun

I did assume this would be quite expensive to have repaired, but my prime concern is structural integrity of the hull which by the sounds of it is probably fine.

I'm wondering how difficult this would be to fix myself, I've worked with glass before and am experienced in autobody so I think I'd have the skill to take a crack at it. I figure pull the rub rail, V the cracks out with a small carbide on the dremel, clean everything up, and lay some white gel back in. Wetsand flush and hit it with the polisher. Am I way off and over simplifying this or would this produce a reasonable result with just an investment of time?

It isn't a reasonable expenditure of your time.

The underlying cause of the cracks wont have "gone away" and you'll likely simply develop more.

Like most boats its was probably not used a lot and if you take it out and use the hell out of it why would you think the boat wouldnt simply develop more cracks?

Its very common for MFGR's of many boats to layup the tops and bottoms differently and to "lighten up" the top.

With sooo may awesome deals on super clean rigs out there to be had why be married to a choice beginning with a mysterious problem?

Id make the seller pay for an inspection and clean up- in this market if he wants it gone that's the way to do it.

Uncle Dave