2004 28 zxo
 

Going to pick up A new to me 2004 ZXO this weekend. It has the 350 MPIs and a little over 500 hrs. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am super excited and happy to be back into a performance boat!

Want some advice? I'd advise you to post pics for Donzi lovers to admire.

Nice choice of boat, enjoy!

RR

Not sure how to load pics from the mobile site

Hello JRalston. I've owned my 2006 28ZXO for four years now. Love it. If you have specific questions e mail me at stewdotlowatbelldotnet

Don't have a ZXO, but a ZX. Can't help with the 350's either, but if anything else is left I might be able to help, haha. Enjoy the boat, they're a lot of fun without a ton of upkeep.

I certainly will. headed back to pick it up Friday. Thank you!

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Ok. I've seen this one. It needs your tlc. But will be a very solid boat for you. It is by far the best boat I've owned.

I went and water tested it this past weekend. She is going to need some cleaning for sure but the boat felt very solid and ran really well.

That's terrific.

Looks geat. I miss my 2003 ZXO. For now , I am enjoying my cobalt.

Congrats man! See you out on LKN.

Does anyone know anyone who repowered a 28ZX with twin bug blocks?

Are the single engine ZXO's as desirable as the twins? Pro's and cons?

I have twin 350 mags now. And would go to twin big blocks.

I think in a boat that size almost everyone would prefer twins for maneuvering. But then again there are some guys that love singles in big boats, like the single 32 Dominators are a prized boat.

Congrats on the new boat. Looks awesome. Those ZXOs are fantastic.

I think 28zx's are really too small for offshore running (not that it can't be done) so really only a single is needed and MOST of the time 1 engine/drive are cheaper to maintain than 2, but twins are nice for around the dock.

As for big blocks, good luck stuffing those into the already cramped engine bay with sbc. I've seen a lot of 28zx's, never see any twin big block combos. If you're looking for increased performance, I'd add the prochargers or whipples. You'll run out of hull before power.

Single 496 HO performance might disappoint. I've heard high 50's. Im guessing you'd need a lot of power and a drive upgrade to see the same speed as twin small block boat.

RR

twin 350's will get you in the low 70's, 377's close to 80...but this hull likes mid 70's, anything faster and she'll chime walk. IMO, don't waste your money on power to get a 28' over 100 when you can't really enjoy it unless you're on the calmest lake (forget ocean) at 6am, buy the bigger boat with that money and enjoy it all day at 70-75. if you're looking single engine, look at a 525 supercharged or something comp. i doubt a 490 ho or 525 will push you up to 70 and you'll need an XR drive or comp.

Look forward to it!

I have heard that anything more that the scorpions and you will need BIG tabs to combat the chine walk

My buddy has an 06 28ZX.
It's Rick solid to 80 then is a handful.
I'm looking at big blocks for the Rick solid reliability with big torque. I'm past going 100- too old- but want to know I can cruise effortlessly at 70+ Besides they look and sound way cooler than small blocks.
And to trade and go to a 35ZR which frankly I'd prefer is much more money.

will they fit?

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More pics. Detail is coming along

2006 28zxo
 

I've measured the drive centre to centre distance and I am told they will fit.
I had a Z29 with 502's It was tight but it all worked

I couldn't imagine working on anything in an engine bay that tight. Just enjoy your new boat and keep saving for a bigger Donzi if you want big blocks. On my 35 ZR it is tough enough doing maintenance and it has a pretty large engine bay.

Very true, but I expect not much tighter than 525's in the ZR.
A bigger boat is an ongoing family discussion with pros and cons. The 28 is perfect for where we boat on the Trent Severn Waterway in central Ontario. But I would like a touch more power and am nervous about whipple charging my 350 mags. I'm a big fan of stock power for many reasons but mainly we reliability. Id rather boat than fix. We do about 100 hours or more in our short season.
Captain YARR, how do you like your 35ZR?

Stew, what speed are you looking for out of the 28'?

80-85 Boat is a handful at higher speeds

I can run my 28zx that quick, but I can count on one hand how many times I actually did. The 28' hull runs great under 75, anything faster and you're out for a good ride.You need a long run that you can slowly trim up as you get over 75 or she'll chime walk terribly, if you're on a lake...you'll run out of room quick.

I think for the reasons you listed you would be happiest just running it and save for a bigger one.

Love my 35 ZR. Moved up from twin 383s that I had built for my last boat. The 35 ZR's torque is awesome but my favorite thing about it is how smooth it is. Handles most water thrown at it very well.

Spent a better part of the weekend in the water. Couple of questions though. I come up on plane slowly and the starboard drive seems to be blowing out the prop. Roms will shoot from about 3k to 5k. I'll pull the throttle for that engine back and then had throttle slowly until the boat is on plane. Also, when underway after planning, the boat seems to want to list to the starboard side. Is this normal?

What your experiencing is not normal. I've read a lot of posts about the 28 moderately hard to plane. I haven't experienced that. And I have 300 hours of seat time in my boat. The four blade bravos are much better than the three blade mirage plus for plane and mid performance.
Your issue is the prop that blows out must have been damaged and not repaired properly.
If you want. Call me. 705-928-0six six 2
I'll help you any way I can.
I currently run bravo 1 26p.
Stew

Thank you stew! I'll give you a call tomorrow if that's ok?

Not a problem. Pleased to help.

Definitely shouldn't be getting blow outs with Bravo's. I've noticed that mine will list towards starboard a bit but I'm also twice the size of my wife and we have a lot of our gear on stbd side of our cabin.

Another thing I've noticed is the drives won't trim up far and all.

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As far out as they will go. No idea why the pic is sideways.

When you are trying to get the drives up are you using the trim switch on the throttle sticks or the rockers on the dash? To get the drives up to "trailer" home I think you may have to use the rocker switches on the dash.

Mine doesn't have trim in the sticks so I use the dash. Also, if with the trailer rocker pressed this is as high as they go.