BillR

Cons for 38ZX
Heavy boat
Small motor box - hard to do repairs maintanance
Hard to see over dash
not as fast as other 38's

Pros 38ZX
Nice riding boat
comfortable cabin
a real head
room for generator
more storage place

Pros f/ TG
Can't beat the ride
incredible handling
fast
big motor box - easy access to everything
boat is designed to be taken apart if necessary = easy access for repairs
it will handle whatever sea condition is thrown at it

Con 38TG
bolsters suck as sit down seats
basic boat = no amenities
anything that says Cigarette is expensive

anewway

iTrader: (1)

One thing no one has mentioned is the swim platform on the Donzi. Its a slippery SOB. The only boat I've ever fallen off of was the back of a Donzi.

Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

It all depends on what you want do do with the boat. There are others not mentioned that cover the strong aspects of both boats being compared.

glassdave

iTrader: (1)

lol. . . .yea i remember that. Stop by I'll tell ya everything i know about them.


(most importantly chicks dig THIS boat)

offshoredrillin

active thunder maybe?

glassdave

iTrader: (1)

Yep, get as much non skid on there as ya can. The fore deck is treacherous as well, extremely easy to go in the drink if freshly waxed. The sun pad is also at an angle that makes it a bit tricky. The boat is drop dead gorgeous but i sometimes question the ergonomics of this thing. As said above the dash/windscreen is a bit high and tough to see over and the bilge is way small and tight for any type of service. You need to be real agile and flexible to do the simplest tasks. All the cleats are in horrible positions from the mid cleats being just plain poorly placed to the cleats on the swim platform being in a position that makes damage to the vinyl a regular occurrence. The cabin is comfortable but only for two. The boat is drop dead sexy and most of this stuff you get use to pretty easy. It performs well and turns heads big time. It is really a good lookin boat in the water and seems huge next to any other 38. Quality is very good as well, aside from a onboard charger going bad and one drive (my fault) this is pretty much 100% OEM with 250 hrs.

last run of last year in october
[youtube]KuEZ8z1wmlw[/youtube]

hammer01

I will only comment on the big water and can't be handled by the Donzi and have to say truly "false"!! Ran big water in mine for 4 seasons and 400+ hours and it runs rough water like a dream. Friends put away their boats and rode in mine because the 38zx's beam swallows rough water. Down side is all the extra amenities in the cabin eventually take a beating in really rough stuff. All this said, they are both great boats and are a lot of fun. Both do two totally opposite types of boating. Also with the speed comments, the twin steps with 500's I have ran with were running true mid to upper 70's in our neck of the woods and mine ran 70-74 on GPS all day with heavy fuel and lots of friends on board. Good luck in your search, there are a lot of great boats out there for reasonable prices.

PWRQWST

I would also tell you to look hard at the Powerquest it is very comparable to the Donzi in size and ride and ammenities. I have rode on a Donzi, and on a 38 cig. Dont get me wrong I will more then likly own a cig next, but i do love my PQ now.. Good luck in what ever you do decide on.


Rich.

paulb32

Bajaboatnut,
Pay attention though as your other post indicated a 1998 38Zx. This is not a twin step that started in 1999 and is what most of the above posts pertain to. The 98 will ride somwhat different and be slower with equal power.
Also being a very heavy boat you may need an alum trailer and 15k tow rating to be legal going down the road. And 9'3" beam is illegal to tow w/out permit in some states. Not that either one of these conditions is blown each & every day by many.
But the 38Zx is one of my favorites and with a family the cockpit & cabin space are very comfortable. In a cig you'll look great and ride great, but not be comfortable at the dock or anchor point or entertaining another family. Most have vacuflush, many have air, and some have a gen too. I think it's a perfect shot at what the baja 38 special was close to being.

Shanghied Again

The big difference is they are both great boats. And yes they both handle rough water well. The 38TG is made for speed, low cabin, no imenties. better working room in engine compartment. The Donzi 38ZX big boat wide beam and a big cabin with Microwave, fridge, Head with shower, table converts to bed and sleeps 4. Very cabin friendly. Very high freeboard and a big cockpit can sit 6 no problem. I have a 33ZX and she can crush waves. The down falls, you have to go through the front hatch to get to the anchor "becarefull not to fall off "narrow nose" The platform is slippery but non slip adheseve solves that. The angle rear hatch is great for tanning, The ladies love it and the freshwater shower on the transom is a nice touch. The engine compartment is tight, very tight. The 38ZX is a gentelmans performance boat and is great for overnight stays and coves.. also good in Poker Runs.