28 zx handling issues
 

I am about to purchase a 2000 28 zx and looking for some last thoughts on this boat. I have not yet driving the boat but will do so next week. I keep hearing about the 28 zx poor handling qualities ....are they that bad? I am taking my hand held gps with me to see what it would really do ...is 70mph way off? any 28 zx owner out there can tell what problems I should watch for

The 28ZX runs level and has a different feel than other boats in the same category (much less bow lift). It handles rough water well and requires the use of tabs at slower speeds. Once you get used to it, you will love it. Expect 66-68 MPH.

Owned a 2000 28ZX twin 350's ran 70 MPH all day long, no handling issues at all (used the tabs very little only when it got very rough), great rough water boat....I think it came with 23P mirage props IMO perfect prop for his power package. Good luck....:D:D

I drove a 28zx with twin 350's and wasn't overly impressed with the rough water ride or handling. I thought it did not handle the water better than my old Formula. It didn't take much to blow it out with the twin steps. Seemed to get a lot of air under the hull. It was relatively fast with the power. Rigging and build quality seemed to be 1st class. May have just been personal preference. Definitely drive it....

well I am going sat to test drive...will see

I Love my Zx. They also respond well with big power.. :) Jamie

Had a '99 28zx, loved the boat, handled well in rough water, went a hair over 70gps with 350magmpis. The 23p mirage plus props put it around 5050 - 5100 rpms. Great choice for a first boat with twins.

The only 28ZX that ever had a handeling issue was the scorpion edition with 377s. If you ran the boat with prps turned in she would run 80mph but was a handfull, If your turned the props out she would run just shy of 78 but was much more stable. All the 28ZXs with 350 Mags and 6.2s ran great especially the new hull design from 1999 up. I had a 26ZX and loved the boat she just loved big water and the Quality was second to none. you won't be disappointed when you test ride one.

thanks guys, I will post what I find on the test ride asap. hopefully it will be what I want.

thnks

How did the sea trial go? Did you end up buying it.

I was a little disappionted at the top speed of the zx, only hit 68 on gps. maybe with fine tuning we could have hit 69. the steering was a bit stiff feelingand took a while to get used to. I was impressed with the fact that at 27.8 ft this boat felt and looked much bigger than my old baja performer 275. The only issues I had with the boat was the cabin headliner was drooping, the rubrails were a bit scruffed and no depth finder. so I am in the proccess of figuring out out how to fix these issues. I did buy this boat but cant take it home untill the trailer is finished.....cant wait to get it home! one other thing, getting in and out of the cabin was a bit of a circus act.
any ideas on what to do with the headliner?

If you can work the headliner down to an opening so you can get under it, get a can of 3m spray glue and follow the instructions.

Are the rub rails ss or alu.

they are pvc, I heard of a place in fl that used to make them for donzi but I dont have a wedsite for them.