38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Hello everyone . Does anyone here own a 38ZR with Ilmor 625s? I want some positive or negative feedback about this setup. Also about the quality of the boat itself. I had a 2002 Donzi 29 ZF fishboat years ago and was not that impressed with the quality of the boat. I have been told that this new ZR is light years ahead of that boat. Anyone know anyone that would want to buy my 2005 Fountain 38 LX with triple 225 optimaxs? Thanks for any feedback. Mike

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

We will have one at the Dallas Boat show this year. It showed up in town last week and spent some time running around on lake Lewisville. I know they had it running around 96, but it still needs quite a bit of dialing in. It is a sharp looking boat though. That was the first Ilmors I have seen or heard, and they sound tough!!

Corey

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

There was a 35 and 38 at the Chicago show (not with 625s). I must say that Donzi really looks better than they did a few years ago. Overall the rigging, fit, and finish were very nice. Great looking and great running boat from all accounts.

The cabin headroom in the ZX is very low.

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

There's a 38 ZR pleasure in the oso classifieds with 625's, and I talked to the dealer and they said it's currently doing 97 with 31 herrings - he feels it would do over 100 if the boat had a bench seat in the back instead of the bolsters - they weigh like 400 lbs more.

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

I am hoping the finish work is better than the 2002 Donzi 29ZF that I had. It was a fishboat, but was not impressed with it. I like the Fountain fishboat I have now better. But looking at the 38 ZR versus a 38 Lightning the Donzi has much better lines. I have not seen one up close but hopefully in the next 2 weeks I will get a ride in a 38 ZR with 525s. I am going to the Miami Boat Show hoping that Donzi will have a nice show. Also Mercury is supposed to show a new motor and drive package.

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

the ZR is cut down i thought the ZX had lots of headroom? the ZR with 625 would be a nice package.

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

So there is no one on here that owns this setup? How about anyone that owns a 38ZR ? Are you happy with the boat? Mike

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

I own a 38ZR with 525's and Bravo XR Drives, I'm turning 30 in Herings and have hit 90 under the right conditions. The boat is very solid and rides extremely well in rough water. I'm trying out some Merc 5 blade props next week custom made for donzi, we'll see what the difference is. Overall very happy with the boat. Paint quality and finish was awesome.

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Mark the 5 Blade mercs you may loose 2mph but the take off and mid range is awesome! As far as Donzi Quality: Please understand that the days of old Donzi are gone and the new Donzi are better, faster and more custom then ever before: The detail they are putting into there boats are some of the best I have ever seen. Our 38 ZR that was at the NY boat show had better reviews then then all the PERFORMANCE boats that were there. When Donzi says its now our turn. they are not just saying it, they mean it! Look at the workmanship going into our 43ZR with 900s and number 6 drives.

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

As Frank just said, the new Donzi's coming from the factory are VERY impressive in terms of fit and finish. The 625 boat that I was in last week was beautifully finished with top quality rigging.
A good friend of mine has a 38ZR with 525's. His boat is also turning 5blade herrings, and it is embarassing out of the hole. I think with the Merc wheels, it should rocket out of the hole, and still be able to run about the same numbers on top. So far I haven't been impressed with the Herrings at all. His boat is running 92 and is all over the limiters, so I feel like 94-95 is going to be attainable with some continued prop work.

The 625boat was propped terribly. They had them spinning out instead of in, and once again compared to a 525 boat they should blow them away, but they're within 4mph or so. I think if someone ends up with an Ilmor package, and some time to do some prop work, 100should be within reach.

BTW, the ZX has nearly 6ft of headroom, I assume u meant the ZR didn't have much. ;)

Corey

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Thanks for the input . So you seem very happy. I am supposed to get a ride in one with 525s at the end of the month.

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Is that boat still at the factory? I live about an hour from the factory and wanted to go check some out under production. What speeds do you think that boat will do? 110 mph?

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

A brand new 38 ZR w/ Ilmor 625 rafted off me the past weekend. Incredible boat! It got a great "pop" at Billy's Stone Crab. Everyone loved the paint job & sound of the V-10's.

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Was this on Sunday? Was the boat red ,gray, and white. If so that Mike from Lightning Bay . That is the boat I went on Saturday. That is his personal boat that he uses for Demos. So people were checking her out hard? I loved the sound of the Ilmors.

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Yes.....that was me at Billy's. People love the sound of the Ilmor's.....when they hear it coming they can't figure out what the sound is??? I like that....it is the sleeper for those who don't know any better and want to play!

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Mike did you play nice? So did you have any good races on Sunday?

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

I probably could have played nicer. My customer/friend who just purchased the 35ZR with 496HO's was out and I snuck up behind him and blew past him...he did not realize I had Viper's and thought it was his driving error when he could not catch up. When we got to Billy's we had a good laugh. Then we got to play with my friends 35 Fountain with HO's, another easy victim....then my friend with a 2002 35 Fountain with Whipple charged 500EFI's refused to play....he was to worried about blowing a motor to keep up. His boat will run 90mph...but it is a 90mph hand grenade.

I honestly only know of a few V's (2-4)in the area that have the "potential" to hang with my 38ZR. Only one for a FACT is faster, that is triple XXX, for $900K it should. Although I still might have a chance because it breakes most of the time.

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

The ilmor boat was great! I Ran the 38zr with ilmor's at the windy city run and at 1,000 islands. Pictures in powerboat and pokerruns america. The boat pulls hard!

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

What issues were these pictures in? I am still having visions of 43 with triple 625 Ilmors. I think that would be the boat to have. I have not heard of one done yet.

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

I Like your "VISION" DRIVEN1! I know Ilmor wants to do one badly....

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Badly enough they want to throw in the third motor? :D Honestly do you think they would give us a good deal to do the first Donzi with triple Ilmors?

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

I will have to get out my special calculator....this one actually has a subrtaction key...haha.

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Do you have the standard XR lowers? I believe your same setup with the ITS XR/Sportmasters are seeing 92-93 mph with 31p 5 blade Herrings.

Do all the new 38 ZR's come with the staggered setup only?

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Yes

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Juked-

I sent an email requesting a quote on a 38 ZR a few days ago, but never received a response?? Do you have any in stock? Thanks

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Harper, Im sorry, i will see what i can do for you. The reason you did not get a response is our entire sales team and then some are split between 2 shows (milwaukee and madison) right now and i am kind of short handed. we just sold our stock 38zr to Lauderdale. We do have a 35zr in stock. 496hos. i wil let ya know what i come up with. - Andrew

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

they are good people at Shipyard and they are manning 2 boat shows in WI.

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

OK, thanks.

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Props.. simple math. (on paper).
A 3 blade is of course not applicable for the big ZX's.
4 Blade Mercs all the way.
Proven...
And Lab props are NOT always the way to go....

The 5 Blade theory in my humble opinion is expensive HYPE. Write the check.....

This from a man who will never spend another dollar on props, I learned my lesson as a pup.

Clean them up and remount them.... GO BOATING.

Props = $$ money I could have spent elsewhere.
F**K 2 MPH..... who is that desperate for bragging rights.
One GOOD WAVE and you miss a move and your passed by your buddy anyway.

Be on task and attentive, drive smart, and you can pass the fastest of boats, the driver is the weak link! :) Although most always say their WIFE said SLOW DOWN or else... LOL...

I plan to keep my money and my balls and just out drive the rookies..... :)
Most see a 3 or 4 and immediately back off... NOT ME.
Bryan Tuvell
03 DONZI 33ZX

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Great point! :D

Although 5 blade props on my Eliminator Daytona was the best thing I ever did... :D

no blow out when planing, 4 mph faster at mid-range, much smoother and better handling and yes, a bit slower at wot, but who cares? I'm never at wot anyway... :D

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Harper220

I hear ya man. There is a market for 5 Blades. They are awesome....

But most newbies say $hit, for $2500 bucks I can get 2 MPH.
That is a allot of JACK when you grow up....

I make 6 digits a year, and will never pay EXTRA for a lab prop trying to experiment for that 2 or 3 MPH.
I have in my past, I wish I had my cash back.
People like THROTTLE UP (who is the best) do great things for folks.
I will spend my money else where.

Just like I would not spend $6K on CMI's..... for 3 MPH on a tested and proven Merc Product.

You know how much GREY GOOSE THAT MONEY WOULD BUY?

Bryan Tuvell

'03 DONZI 33ZX

Re: 38 ZR with 625 Ilmor
 

Yes, the 5 blades are almost a must on cats running high x's to get on plane. When I bought them last spring they were for the purpose of better planing, mid-range and handling... definitely not to gain 2 mph on top, I actually lost a few, but the other benefits far out weighed the loss. I've been down that road also, labbing and dumping a bunch of money to gain 2 mph. It's a waste of time and money. It's painful enough to visit the gas pump... :(