Qoustion on buying new boat. Which one?
 

Hi newbe here looking to buy a new or slightly used boat. I am stuck between Fountain 27 Fever and Donzi 27ZR or theDonzi 26ZX? can someone shed some light between these boats? I have been out of boating since the early 90s. My last boat was a 1995 26 Scarab. I have also looked at the Baja Outlaw 26? I live in Southwest fl So I would be boating in the Gulf around Sanibel and Naples area. Thank you in advance for any info.

I have a 26 Outlaw, it's a solid boat. The non-stepped outlaw will probably be a little smoother in the rough. If you want more speed, both the Donzi and the Fountain will run faster under the same power.

Owned a 27 once, Its a nice boat but gets small very fast. Not sure how ruff it gets in the gulf their, but you want as much boat as you can get. If you are looking single motor, and Fountain I would look at finding a 29. Cant speak about the Donzi. Any boat that size the cabin is minimal, you can sleep but not many people, more for storage and getting out of inclement weather.

Personally, out of those 3 I would be considering the 27ZR. About 70 with a 496HO. I really thought that was a pretty cool boat and they're built in SW Florida as well. Never was a fan of their smaller ZX's though.

go with the fountain

Well, as far as the Gulf around here... there is never a day that I can't take the 275 Performance out in the Gulf (470 hrs in 2 yrs, 2 months and no problems with the Gulf, of course, with the exception of anytime before or during one of those evil "H-word" things that make an appearance once in awhile). There are very few days that it is actually a rough ride..... so I wouldn't be too concerned with what will handle the chop and more concerned with how fast you want to go!

Take the time to crawl around in each one. Then ride in all of them (in the gulf) before you make a decision.

I woulod say that a fair comparison would be a 29 fever with a 5&1/4 or a Donzi 27zr. I really would lean toward both.

I like the 27 Donzi ZR out of the choices. The cockpit looks a lot roomier and its a new model. Remember the 27 fountain is really a 25ft boat, when you factor in the beak and the swim platform. I know there is not much room for add ons (supercharger) or bigger power with the 27 fountain. Or atleast there was not much room - they may have fixed this by now. The cabin on the fountain looks bigger. Do the Donzi's still have a 5 year engine/hull warranty? If so that would sway my vote real fast over the standard 1 year warranty. Donzi used to have the best warranty in the business - you just can't beat five years.

The 27 Donzi also has a swim platform counted in the total length. Not going to be much difference in length between the Fountain and Donzi. Cabin will be a little smaller on the Fountain due to the beak.