Donzi 35ZR test drive....what should I be looking for....
 

Question for the Donzi experts and owners.....

Heading down to the Donzi factory this week for a tour and test drive of a 35ZR (my first time on a 35ZR). Any specifics I should be looking for in handling and performance?

Anyone in particular I should make a point to meet?

Thank you.-SDH

Re: Donzi 35ZR test drive....what should I be looking for....
 

Gene Week's, Bill Tucker, Tom Kosto and everyone else at Donzi. The whole crew is awesome and we dont even own a Donzi. They have been nothing but nice and welcoming to me and Im only a kid. Good luck on your test drive. You will not be disappointed.

Re: Donzi 35ZR test drive....what should I be looking for....
 

def. meet Gene Weeks if possible, he will most likely be the one with you on the test drive anyway, ask him about the 43 zr he delivered in West Palm....

Re: Donzi 35ZR test drive....what should I be looking for....
 

Gene should go through the boat with you and answer every question that you have is one of the best when it comes to Performance. I have ran with him on many Poker runs and enjoy Genes company its really a great feeling when someone has the same passion of boating and knows the heart and soul of a boat.

Give us a update .
Wife and I going to the Miami show this weekend. Let her get in a 35 Donzi ZR. Would like to upgrade from a 29OL for more offshore activities. Love the Donzi 35ZR and the 35 Baja OL.
Looking to see the true cockpit room of the 35 ZR. I think its close to my 29OL. That will be OK. A tad bigger will be good.

I think it depends on the set up...Things I do...

1) Go Offshore (I don’t buy any boat until I run it in at least 3-4 foot chop)
2) Check for porpoise or chine walking...
3) How it flys (flat or nose up)
4) How it handles at WOT. (Do you have to drive it or is it stable?)
5) How it gets on plane


I have been in the 35 with 525EFI boat, but never in rough water. In my experience it is a little loose at WOT with that power. Also, do you feel safe with low freeboard? Other than that, it is a nice boat…

no high speed turns.

Yes those are the questions and items to watch for.
I can answer them on my Baja.
I plan on attending the Miami boat show with the Mrs. I want her to scope out the 35ZR. I love the looks nad styling but ultimately the handling and ride will decide.

I was in some rough water a few weeks back. Sloppy 4-5 seas. My 29 was a bear to handle. I'm wondering ifl the 35 will be that much better. Do the stepped... more flat bottom land harder than the true deep v? Just some items I am inquiring about?

Why not?

Thank you all for your thoughts.

Went down to the Donzi factory last week for a tour and test drive, what a great experience. The staff could not have been nicer or more helpful. Gene Weeks took us out for the test drive and walked us through the finer points on how the boat handled, including for those who say watch the turns a high speed, a high speed turn where the boat tracked flawlessly.

We were very impressed with the performance of the 35ZR from it’s speed to the way it took waves. Dedication and pride in the boats they produce was evident in the Donzi staff where you could see boats being built to exacting standards and quality control. We even spent an hour with Donzi designer and stylist Jerry McCullough discussing paint jobs and colors. Their ability to customize equipment, interior colors and paint was beyond what several other builders could offer in comparative products.

By the end I was sold and placed my order for a new 35ZR.

Congratulations! I think Donzi hit a home run with the 35 Zr.:cool:

What did you get for power?

Cuda beat me to it....What power?

What off shore handling does the 35 handle. Is it good in waves or?? I would consider Baja is a tad better for bigger waves but going from a 29 to 35 has to be quite different.

Congrats on your new ride. Donzi does a good job.

I only say no high speed turns in a general way for safety, as alot do not know how to trim a stepped boat. I did not intend on bashing a model although alot around here do.

Congrats...!!

Sorry, I took your comment wrong.

no prob.:evilb:

Congrats on your new boat! Donzi is building some great products.

As for high speed turns remember:
do not not tuck the drives in past neutral
make a slight turn and let the boat set before you turn in hard

Also one other thing to watch out for...Fountains passing you! hehe just had to get that in there...it's winter time!

Thank you gentleman for the kind words. Very excited about the new boat, looking for a May delivery. I went for the 496HO’s which I am told will touch 80mph which is more than enough for me. As you know they offer the bigger stuff but the cost benefit for the bigger engines to pick up that extra speed was not worth it for me.

I appreciate the advice on high-speed turns, notice said Gene Weeks made the high-speed turn (I was leaving that one to the pro). I was doing the slow stuff. Water was relatively calm during the test drive so we went looking for wakes took a few 2 footers and you could tell that the length of the 35 is a tremendous help in taking the chop, it just blew right threw it.

Until I get used to driving the ZR, I’ll be watching for those Fountains going by for a while.

I attended the boat show this weekend. The 35ZR was there. Very nice boat. I will probrably looked for used. New jsut out of my budget.
The 35ZR cockpit was very comparble to my Baja 29OL. Has about a foot more space in teh engine compartment. This is nice. Same coclpit area and then the cabin is where Donzi makes up. Headroom is lower than my 29OL. I can sit straght up in the baja. The Donzi I was crunched over some. I am 6'1'. Still love the boat. The dash is the ticket.
Looked at the Fountain 35 lightning with staggard 525's(100mph version). Cockpit was very tight. Mainly due to the staggards engines. I must say the cabin interior was one of the best for a 35. Really plush( carpet,counter tops,seats, etc. ) The bajas and donzi were more basic styling.
Will be keeping a eye for a used 35ZR. Will be also listing my 29OL and see what I can get. Tuff market now.