upgrade from the 28zx to 35zr
 

so im going to sell my 28zx this summer(anyone interested?) and looking to upgrade to a ZR. I want to get a 35zr, i was also looking at the 33zx, but i think the zr would be a little nicer. Anyways any input on motor options? Iv seen them with the 425hp merc. would this make it around a 65-70mph boat?

Pretty sure they run 78 - 80 with the 425 hp 496 HO's.

Both the 33zx & 35zr are great boats.. Been in both..

The 33 can run & get good speed #'s but it will take more power to do it than the 35. The 33 will have more useable space and is deeper. Therefore it is a bit heavier than the 35

The 35 is a bit faster due to it being a little less deep than the 33. But you give up a lot of cabin head room & some space. Both ride well & are comfy when running.

From what I recall most 33's with 496's would run roughly about 70-73 on a good day, most 35zr's with 496's would run 78-81 on a good day.. :) Jamie / Lakeside

step ip and get a 38 stagger 525 boat... it not much more of a leap and well worth it

True & good point.. When The wife & I were looking at getting another one about 3 years ago the price difference between them was not terribly different & you did get more usable & needed space. On some it would have been a no brainer to jump into the 38 instead.. :) J

thanks for the input guys...i gotta sell the bmw M5 first but ill be looking at them this summer

I did this same thing two years ago to a 35ZR with twin 525's & have really enjoyed it. The 35ZR is easy to tow, easy to handle on the lake & a Ball offshore. Good Luck & have fun.

Exactly what everyone else has said.

33Zx will be the slowest but most cockpit space and big cabin.

35 Zr w/425's just under 80
35 Zr w/525's just over 90 (great running up to high 80's, little squirrely around 90)
38 Zr w/525's just under 90 (will run there all day, great balance, hull designed to run 115+)

Did the same thing last year, got the 525s would recommend those motors not only for the peformace but also for resale, the 38 is like 2 or three inches wider but the extra length is in the rear for the staggerd motors .

Go for the 38ZR, after you drive a staggered boat you will never go back!

what does the staggered have to change? ride ? handling?

Yes. The balance on the 38 is amazing. The 38 Zr is one of the best handling V's ever and it flies straight as an arrow when it launches. By staggering the engines, it puts the weight of the engines more to the centerline, deeper into the hull, and removes weight from the tail. It also puts the props closer together and to the center which provides more thrust. (kind of like the two working more as one)
The only drawback to staggered engines is that it takes a little more thought and effort when docking. Due to the drives being so close together, it makes it harder to spin the boat around. You have to throttle the reversed engine a little to help pivot the boat where as if they were a little further apart, you would not.
I have seen and been on many 35 and 38 Zrs and they are both great boats. The 35 definitely is not designed to run much over 90-95. It tends to get to be a real handful. The 38 has no problem running 120+. Either one is a great boat.

ok its looking more and more likely for the 35zr, the 38zr is more than i could come up with...the 35zr all i have been seeing is the 496ho, would i be unhappy with this? Would the 525's get you in 100+mph club?

See post #8.

They put big power in one 35 Zr and it was too much of a handful above the mid 90's.

been talking to the lady..She loves the way the 35zr looks but likes the idea of a cruiser now. So the 38zx would give you best of both go fast and cruiser comfort features. Since you can have heat/ac, head, fridge, stove top, tv. The 33zx looks a little stubby from what i seen in pictures. Are they really that stubby looking? Hopfully i can get her to go with a ZR.

Eddie Young put big power in a 35 ZR. It handled just fine after some bottom work. I think that it ran 115+ in the LOTO shootout. Supposedly the boat was pretty squirrely before the bottom work.

ok am i being to impulsive should i wait and find one with 525? I found a 06 for 496 h.o on it under 150hrs. My budget is 100k and that is with trailer and all...Should i wait and see what else is out there go after a different brand? I like the donzi name and ride...but would like some input to clear my head before i go out and buy a boat

Don't waste your time with a 35 with 496's. A 38ZR is a better boat all around and with staggered 525's you will love it. There are plenty of good 38ZR's out there that are very reasonable. I loved my 38ZR and so will you!

there 38zr are all around 140,000+ i cant come close to that 100k is the very most

There are a couple '06 38 Zr's in the 120k range.
There are a couple '01-03 Cigarette Top Guns in the 120k range.
That means a '06-08 525 35 Zr should be in the 100-120 range.
I feel the right price for a 496 35 Zr is in or just under 100k.
I wouldn't worry about getting a 496 boat. It still may be under warranty! Turn key reliability and an 80 mph is not a bad package. You can always get the upgrade kits from Raylar down the road to boost performance and or dress them up!

i saw the Cigarette's but the overall look and fit i like the donzi set up looks a little nicer, fit and finish. The cheapest 525 35zr is at 139k
But im glad to hear the 496 has turn key reliability

saw that but the no trailer and i dont think they would take 100 plus a trailer

so i went to go look at the 35zr today and wow that cabin is tight, and small....are the 38zr are tight and short? there was no head room in the sleeping area, i get the zr is a not as tall hull and made more for speed but im starting to get the thought that a ZX is how i should go...boat was a little dirty tooo...only had 90hrs on it used for 2 years and sat for 2 years..The white on the seats look yellow which i believe was from the sun...

The 35 and 38zr essentially have the same cabins. The extra length is in the engine compartment to stagger the engines. The zr was not really built to be an overnight boat. The Zx is a more all around boat with much more room.

zr is just a go fast get er done boat
zx seems like its a go fast and ill give you some comfort

True If looking for a nice 38ZX there was one at lake of the Ozarks that is realy sweet.
And could probly be had for a fair amount less than the asking price.
I am not selling it, and have nothing to do with it but looked at it and passing on the info.

thanks for the heads up

I know your a Donzi guy but for $100,000 this is what I would buy and I wouildnt look back....

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o38701-en.html

Thats a 120 mph boat! Only 10 hours on the NA motors and drives!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWru6...eature=related

looks sweet, down side i need a cabin to stay over night in.

Have you seen this? 496 power but for the money this looks like a screaming deal too...

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o38903-en.html

I have thought about upgrading as long as the economy comes back. What will a 43 run with a pair of 525's? I know they make them in a tripple and run around 100, but would rather have the twin set up.