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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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