Shopping...38 ZX
 

Located at LOTO. Looking for a 38zx. I've also considered the ZF as well. Anything listed or not listed that you know of, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Anything I should know between years, what to look for, what to avoid? Any areas notorious for soft spots or rot? A few 2000-2001 boats with 525sc power that are appealing based on price, not my first choice in power. Can certainly go higher for the right boat, newer boat.

Truly appreciate any information or guidance!

I searched all over last year, found mine on the other side of the country. Continued searching since then because of buyers remorse.

I ended up with a 2003 38zx with about 450 hours and the 575SCi's. Its overall nice. I was warned in advance to check the headers for leaks; mine turned out to be questionable so they got replaced. My transom assemblies needed to be replaced too due to deteriorated gimble pins (that was a surprise). It was $200 more to replace new than rebuild. Even though the boat appeared to be in great shape, passed surveys, and came with paperwork showing the engines were serviced around 100 hours prior to purchase I still ended up having to completely rebuild them. I had planned on doing that but expected a a year or two down the road, not the first year.

Looking at what was available at the time I bought mine, and what has gone by since, I'm still fairly happy with what I got. The few I saw in person were in much rougher shape than advertised, several had some major damage and rot inside the anchor locker. The older models have a habit of getting soggy in the transom area due to the cleat and hatch hinge placements. Others had a good amount of deterioration around the cockpit which to me was a red flag in regards to how well the rest was maintained. In most cases those had much more serious problems upon looking deeper.

Hope I don't offend anyone saying this: The few you'll see in the usual places have been for sale a long time. There are reasons for that you'll figure out fairly quickly upon seeing them. The good ones all seem to be getting used by their owners and not for sale nowadays. Most are 15-20 years old now and are going to have problems of some sort regardless.

No matter which one you buy if you aren't prepared to replace the exhaust and rebuild the engines from day one you should be shopping for something newer. You could get lucky and never have to worry about it but if you aren't and they tear up, you're gonna be pretty upset. They are very heavy (the 38zx) and the outdrives take most of the beatings. Everyone I know with one has replaced them a few times in the time of ownership. The ride is amazing, the cabin is the best you'll find on a boat of this size and type. You wont ever be the fastest at the poker run, but you'll be fast enough and extremely comfy doing it.

Thanks Belli, Some great info in here, especially on the transom assembly's. I did read a bit on the possible rot issues. Uhhhhgh...so difficult to vet these boats remotely. As you said, it's one thing to get a survey, another to actually stand ON the boat yourself and get a feel for how it was taken care of.

There is a 99 38ZX here in Atlanta. Under 300 hours on the boat, 8 hours on the engines. Boat is red and white and 100% freshwater, Completely rebuilt 525 SC's massaged to 600HP, HP XR Drives that are all brand new (gimbles, drives, etc). Boat has totally been gone through and in near mint condition. Everything works as it should and if it didn't work, it was replaced. Boat is owned by a very reputable marine engine builder here in Atlanta I guarantee you will not find one in better condition. He built my Apache engines. PM me if you are interested and I will forward his number and you can talk with him directly.

I can vouch for this one. Thats my buddy GG's boat, he built my engines too. It was not for sale when I was buying. His is as mechanically solid as they come, virtually brand new, paint corrected, new AC, new everything. Sits inside a climate controlled warehouse. Even has a matching tow rig to go with it if you wanted. Downside is that its going to seem to be too expensive if you don't understand the actual costs involved keeping one of these things like new. hes asking north of 110k and after overhauling mine I see it as a bargain. If I could do it all over this would have been the one I bought. I ended up doing everything he did and came out spending more and taking 7 months to do. The only option it does not have is a genset which I had added during my rerig which was a real PITA.

He is selling it because the COE won't allow him to dredge his dock deep enough to keep it there.

Wow...sounds great. I tried to PM you mleslie951...your inbox is full.

Scott

I shot you his info. We are talking about the same boat.

Thanks!

Might be out of my price range, we'll see. Greatly appreciated!

Most times, the cheapest way out is the most expensive way in.

Ken

Mines for sale

38zx..
 

I absolutely love mine. I have a 98 with the 500's.. definitely correct about it being heavy. But handles rough water amazing. I got lucky enough to find one that was a fresh water boat and rack stored for the last 7 yrs. Must have been stored inside before that also because the gelcoat is impeccable. Cabin is amazing. The wife loves the gen/ac. Definitely recommend it.

38zx..
 

I absolutely love mine. I have a 98 with the 500's.. definitely correct about it being heavy. But handles rough water amazing. I got lucky enough to find one that was a fresh water boat and rack stored for the last 7 yrs. Must have been stored inside before that also because the gelcoat is impeccable. Cabin is amazing. The wife loves the gen/ac. Definitely recommend it.

Supringly there lighter then a 382 and faster. Not much but they are. Wide body and not nearly as a deep hull. There okay in rough as far as I'm concerned and I've been in some me nasty stuff in Lake Erie some stuff so bad I wore a life jacket and felt I made a bad decision. That being said the boat made it through it, but I will never take it out in conditions like that again.

Down side on the 38 is storage. Boat has very little and that's annoying with a family of 4.

I sent you a PM.

My mailbox was full, so I didn't get it. Send it again.

Beautiful boats! My buddy just picked one up at the beginning of summer with 500s and he loves it ! Good luck with your search!

Just wanted to let you guys know I picked up a nice '99 38 ZX last week. 212 hours, very clean, 525sc, 28p 4 blade props. Got a chance to run it at LOTO (my home lake) for a while on Friday afternoon and again Saturday afternoon. LOVE it!

Had a couple of questions on the handling of the boat, trim, tabs, etc. This is my first stepped hull boat. My other boat I've had for 4 years is a Baja 33 Outlaw, 7.4 power, k-planes. Of course after knowing all the horrible things that can happen when you screw it up in a stepped boat has me taking my time and getting used to it.

The Donzi just "feels" nose heavy compared to my Baja...like you can trim it up until it slips and it never really lifts the bow much or porpoises...is this just part of the stepped hull thing in general or are they a bit nose heavy? Props are turning IN as Donzi wanted it. On my drive indicator level with the hull is about #3. Seems to like anything from there to about 4.5-5. Again, being a little freaked by the steps, my turning has been mellow...throttle back, leave it trimmed around 4 and keep steady throttle or accelerate out of the turn. Hit one large cruiser wake, slow, maybe 45 mph, no tabs, drives around 4, accelerated a bit off the wave...I was VERY surprised how much air that big boat got! If flew straight and level, chopped the throttle and everything was fine but did not expect it launch like that.

Tabs...we have rough washing machine random water from all directions at LOTO. Tabs level with the bottom on at #1 on my indicators. I never really dropped the tabs much lower than maybe 2 just to see how it reacted (again, hearing about someone leaving a tab down in a turn and upsetting the boat) Even level with the boat it's ROCK solid. But I didn't have any long stretches of rough water to test it out fully. Guy I bought it from said "I never use the tabs" which I hear a lot from people that have never boated at LOTO. So if anyone has suggestions, do's or dont's, please chime in.

I've never heard of these being notorious for spinning or rolling but thought I would at least reach out for some first hand knowledge from current or former owners. I truly appreciate any input.

The 38ZX is a Great Boat! Big, Heavy, Great Lines/Style. Always Got Compliments. Mine had the 500's with XR drives and always ran solid. No disappointment's. I owned it for 8 Seasons and never used the K-Planes unless I had a lot of people on the boat and the Wind was blowing Sideways.. But really Never Used them. It is nose heavy... But it Has a big Heavy nose, Lol. Ted.

I have the 33 but it rides the same as the 38. They run flat on the water at times even a bit scary in big water. You feel lie your going to snuff the nose on every wave. They are heavy boats but they do like to fly and it don' take much do to the large plate on the bottom. Watch in high winds with the drives up at speed. The boat will walk side ways on you and it is scary lol had it happen to me in 2 ot 3s running around 75. But really great boats. Spinning in can get tricky around the docks but take your time and you will get used to it.