Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

Hello, looking to purchase a new boat and have narrowed it down to a Donzi 35 ZR and a Formula Fastech 353.

I would appreciate any advice from those who have driven these two fine boats. Both are more than fast enough for my needs.

Handling, ride and quality of construction are where I would love some insights. Thank you.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

I would choose the 35 Donzi out of those two. If you are interested outside of the two, I would also look at the 33 Active Thunder. It is the same size less built in swim platform and is the best ride, fit, finish, cabin in its class and about the same price. It is also custom built to your spec. What power are you going to go with?

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

Probably run it with the Merc 496 HO's, proven engine, low maintenance. 850HP will more than enough for me, how these boats drive is my big question. I hear that the Formula while it has excellent fit and finish is a 10 year old hull design and the Donzi has a much better ride due to a cutting edge hull that is less than 2 years old.

Thanks I will take a look at the Thunder.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

The Formula is a nice boat, solid and well made...but you're right about the "old" hull design. I'd go with the Donzi, better performance, better price point and also well made. I faced a similar decision last year and eliminated the Formula for the reasons outlined above, but ended up with the 38ZR. I was convinced the staggered setup and additional length was really the way to go. I'm glad I did, I don't think you can buy a better ride for the price. Do your homework on the price and you may be surprised.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

Donzi hands down.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

ZR all the way!! Donzi hit a home run with them!!

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

I have driven both boats. The Donzi is like driving a Ferarri and the Formula is more like a Bentley. I personally don’t like the freeboard on both boats and the cabin height. The Donzi will run 78-80 MPH with 496 He’s and 85 with 496HO CMI combo. The Formula is probably runs 73-74mph with same set up. The formula is better in rough because of weight and the Donzi gets a little light at top speed but I was in a 525EFI boat.

Check out the 33 Active Thunder and let me know what you think? The 33 has a two page as in the new Powerboat.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

Is the Donzi ZR the lower freeboard sitdown only Donzi? If it is it may depend a lot on where you boat.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

Donzi

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

donzi lightning bay marine

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

Thanks for all the reply's, I’ll be boating on the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis, MD. Water is glass one minute and 2 foot chop ½ hour later.

From what I have been told the Formula will give a more forgiving, soft ride on the Bay but the Donzi is easier to drive and more responsive in it’s handling. With this being a new class of boat that I will be driving (used to the family 27ft runabout) a safe, solid ride is what I am looking for in a well built performance boat. Thoughts?

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

If you are looking for a solid riding hull, the ride in the 33 AT is unparalleled. And if safety is an issue, you won't find a deeper cockpit either. The hull tracks perfectly in all conditions and I've run in glass and 6 to 8's. The best aspect of their hull design is that it shines in the rough water.

In my opinion, you're comparing apples to oranges with Donzi and Formula. You've got a much closer comparison when you compare Donzi to Active Thunder.

As the owner of the 1st 33 AT produced, I can provide you with much more detail on this boat. PM me for more details.

Steve

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

keep in mind the re sale on both those boats....i havent been in either but id also look at a hustler 34 cheetah with 496 ho's runs close to 85 and in 5 to 6 footers it a breeze great rough water boat

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

I would pick the Donzi for better performance. Formula builds a great boat too but is significantly slower.

2 Great Donzi dealers to work with:
Offshore Performance - Grasonville MD
Typhoon Performance - Toms River NJ

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

I would choose the Donzi. Ask anyone who was on the Luekimia Poker Run on the Bay in 2006 and they can tell you how well a Donzi ZR runs in very rough water as well as how the boat looked in its handling. Never gets crazy, never gets squirrely and if it does come out of the water it never gets the bow way up in the air so you cant see. Flys true and flat.

John S.:D

It was gett'n ugly..:eek:

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

SDH: The big question is were do you do your boating when selecting a boat. If you boat in Maryland/Virgina Offshore Performance is your dealer. If you boat in Delaware North to Ny then we are the dealer for you. like I said to you before the Donzi 35 ZR is an awesome boat and not a sit down boat she is a stand up boat with a great ride. The Formula is a good boat but has more creature comforts 8'3" beam
The Donzi 35 ZR is built for speed 8'6" Beam Kevelar setup
You will not go wrong with the 35ZR even the resale is much better because there are no pre owned out there. Donzi has come along way and for a 35ft boat with stock 496/Ho to run 82mph GPS you know they are doing something right.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

I would sea trial the boats you're interested in and get a feel for them in simular conditions. Also don't forget that you're going to have to get your boat serviced too. You need to pick the boat and dealership you feel comfortable with. Trust me, there's nothing worse than plunking down a wad of money and then second guessing yourself.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

Donzi hands down!

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

The only thing I did not like about the Donzi is the cabin... it is very low and more of a cuddy, as you can not sit on the lounges without hitting the ceiling.

Both great boats!

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

Seems like a landslide for the Donzi.

So other than lack of headroom no complaints or concerns about the Donzi from the experienced boaters? No durability or equipment concerns?

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

The ONLY reason I would go with Formula over Donzi is the support from the factory is un-paralleled in a production boat manufacturer with Formula. Donzi is not the best manufacturer to deal with as you may hear from several past and current owners. Formula is certainly a top-notch boat, but Donzi is right there behind them IMO.

Either way you go, I think you'll be VERY happy with your choice.

Corey

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

I've stayed out of this so far and will just say I think it's funny that you all recommend the ZR based pretty much upon speed alone.

nothing about long proven manufacturer support, all the small niceties throughout the Formula that the ZR doesn't offer, climbing over over laying across the extra tall backseat headrests to enjoy the "racy" hatch with the minimized padded area ect ect.

I wont dwell on the cabin because he says it'll be a dayboat, though I'm sure there are other circumstances under which a much nicer cabin (353) could be enjoyed!

yes the 353 is relatively slow now with all the low-slung, low cut minimized "35's" that are out now that sacrifice headroom, cockpit space, and ammenities in the name of speed...

but spend a couple hundred hours running one, and a couple hundred days hanging out on one...

and you'll know first hand it's a boat that is very easy to be aboard, use and enjoy, and does that hard to find combination of most everything very well, if not better than the others.

a day of fun on the water is much more than going fast to a large % of the market for a boat like this, and in this light there are alot of other little things to consider!

I know first hand of the EXCELLENT support from Formula and thier ROCK-SOLID dealer network.

The long term value holding and desirability of the Formula product is PROVEN...not a guess

some of the things mentioned above will negatively effect the size of the audience for the Donzi in terms of resale...especially in those situations where the other half has a voice!

and before you jump on me as a Formula cheerleader, this is far from my first boat (6th) and I pretty much do nothing but boat every summer, all summer.

This product is just plain enjoyable in so many ways, that's all.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

it's kind of a mute question as damn near all the "equipment" aboard these things is common. The same drivetrains, and vendors for just about everything from guages to FW pumps and tanks to battery chargers and wiring sources.

They are both excellent quality production boat lay-ups

bla, bla, Kevlar bla, bla. I haven't seen or heard of any cracked, broken, or delaminating Formulas.

All that is a wash. It's about how you're gonna use the boat. Even as a dayboat...what, in terms of usability and comfort is important to you or the ones you want to enjoy thier time aboard?

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

F2 extra lean broke the bottom in kw acouple of yrs back there' a nice pic in my engine builders shop of them getting air and when I spoke to the driver he said yeap thats when it happened, they since sold there last f2 boat last yr to someone over sea's that was there 2nd boat for like 75 or 80,000 2001or 2002 525s thats cheap.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

pizz poor example but nice try.:rolleyes:

race boat
racing
how many race seasons old?


sold a 5/6 year old raceboat for 80K?
Sounds about right to me. ;)

your not talking about a maintained, fully built out and optioned, recreationally operated boat.

your raceboat story has little or no relavence. :eureka:

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

Fountain 35

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

real nice 35

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

real 35... no molded swim platform

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

A 35 Fountain is tiny compared to these boats. If you want an all around solid performer look for a used 35 T/S Cigarette such as dreamer's above.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

True
true
and I can't believe his boat hasn't sold. :confused:

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

I'd take the 35 Playboy Cig over any of them. The 35 Fountain is small compared to the Donzi or Formula...and I'm a Fountain fan but the truth is the truth. I'm sure both boats are well made and the race boat comparo is not a good one because back in 1999-2001 the Anderson family took a stock pleasure boat Formula 353 gutted it and raced it in APBA F2. Never a problem with the boat and they ran hard and were a contender each race.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

Cigarette’s are beautiful and in a league of their own but at twice the price. Rippem makes some very good points on the Formula, putting speed aside has anyone driven both boats and any comparisons on handling and how they drive? Not trying to start an argument between Formula and Donzi fans just trying to make an informed decision when I buy a boat.

Thank you.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

I have not driven the Donzi. I however have every confidence that it works very well, and do not dis-believe what anyone who has says about it's ride and handling. Sired from the ZR Comp (which from all I've read is said to be one of the finest handling, working bottoms ever) and I'm sure Donzi's more serious jump into the higher performance (than the ZX) recreational market was taken very seriously.

with that said, I would say that if I had money to burn I'd have one of everything...
but when a man's gonna have ONE boat he needs to examinine his boating lifestyle not only in terms of wether he's going to overnight but also where speed fits into the hierarchy of needs...

also need to examine how friendly a boat is (in any segment as compared to others in that segment) to be aboard, get aboard, climb around on, lay and sit around on, stash and store stuff, change your clothes in, and on and on...
Just enjoy all those little things that if you know the difference make the boat such a pleasure the other 90% of the time.

and in this respect, I do defend the Formula as above.

I can come up with a couple of things I'd change about the Formula...
but overall, IMHO the 353 is a home run (and I think the last 9 years of sales would prove it out) for that market segment that's about balance
the near perfect balance of quality, ammenities, comfort, usability, ride quality, performance, and support.

I was ready to sell my boat to 5PMSMWHR here on the board, but for the life of me, and the many different roles I ask my boat to play...
I couldn't find a better place to go in this size range.

So she's staying with me until I can afford a top quality old-school appearance, modern performance/features 37/38'.
and even then I'm sure I'll look back at the 353 fondly.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

no worries and no arguments. :)

it's only natural that anyone is going to feel passionately about the particular brand of choice of hole in the water we drop this kind of coin in. :p

passionate discussion generally leads to disclosure.

info and opinions are what you solicited.

hoping we've all been of assistance. :cool:

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

Take a test drive in both..... I think the decision will be pretty easy from there...
We are talking about a decade old re-hashed tooling Vs one of the latest entry's into the high performance market.

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

Like I mentioned on the first page, I have driven both boats w/ 525 EFI's not 496HO's. Speed was about 90MPH on the Donzi and 83MPH on the Formula. Formula handled better in the rough. The Donzi was like driving a sports car but a little flighty when trimmed out. The Formula is like driving a S550 Mercedes. Freeboard in both boats was a major problem for me and I am only 5'11. I run in 2+ seas all the time and feeling safe at high speed in #1 for me. That is the reason I was down to the 38 or 39 Top Gun and the 37 Active Thunder when I bought last. I like the ride of the 38 Donzi much better but I don't recall the difference in price. Good Luck!

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

$139k and shes yours

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

took the listing out of the classifieds... the boat i was gonna get next sold so now im not sure

Re: Donzi 35 ZR vs Formula Fastech 353...
 

that's where the McCleod footrests and the ability to plant your feet 12-14" below cockpit floor level come in handy whe standing in big water.

the entire McCleod experience, footrests/bolsters is very comfortable and secure.

I'm 6'5" and feel secure in 6'+ Eastern Lake Ontario washing machine water when standing "down in"