Top Gun vs. 38zx
 

I know two different ships here but just was curious what everyones pros and cons were. Not going to be able to afford the T/S in these models unless the right deal runs along.

A 8 ft. beam vs. 9'2

The love the idea of the speed and ride of the cigs. And of course the legendary name, but the room on a bad weather day, accomadations of the donzi make it appealing.

Thanks again.
Robert-Ohio

where do u boat?

lake erie?..... cig

and yes u can afford a ts

True it may not run big water quite as well as a TG but they certainly arent to far behind. I have never had any problems in Erie water. They are heavy but still run respectable numers, I see 80+ with 525SC's. Its got a huge cabin with plenty of room and in my opinion is the best looking boat ever built.

yes lake erie boater.

glassdave- do you have the shop at sylvania and king?

My buddy's 38 ZX with 500's runs 72...

Yep, I take it you've seen some of the projects out back?

I stopped and talk to ya out back there about a yr. and a half ago. I run a lawn business (WiseGuys). Bought the 29 outlaw. Anyway been meaning to call you to discuss your donzi as I'm interested in one for sale and remebered you had one. Couldnt remember what yr. yours was.

The ZR Comp is a fine rough water boat. I think that is the best looking boat personally.

Keep it coming guys. A good friend of mine is also wanting a 38zx coming out of a fountain 35ex. He loves the amenities of my Black Thunders but doesnt want that big of a boat. All advice would be great.

GlassDave, Beautiful machine


Thanks Guys

if u need the comfort go with the donz

icant risk it as i go 65mi to PIB and can get cought in some slop

Cons for 38ZX
Heavy boat
Small motor box - hard to do repairs maintanance
Hard to see over dash
not as fast as other 38's

Pros 38ZX
Nice riding boat
comfortable cabin
a real head
room for generator
more storage place

Pros f/ TG
Can't beat the ride
incredible handling
fast
big motor box - easy access to everything
boat is designed to be taken apart if necessary = easy access for repairs
it will handle whatever sea condition is thrown at it

Con 38TG
bolsters suck as sit down seats
basic boat = no amenities
anything that says Cigarette is expensive

One thing no one has mentioned is the swim platform on the Donzi. Its a slippery SOB. The only boat I've ever fallen off of was the back of a Donzi.

It all depends on what you want do do with the boat. There are others not mentioned that cover the strong aspects of both boats being compared.

lol. . . .yea i remember that. Stop by I'll tell ya everything i know about them. :D


(most importantly chicks dig THIS boat:cool:)

active thunder maybe? :D

Yep, get as much non skid on there as ya can. The fore deck is treacherous as well, extremely easy to go in the drink if freshly waxed. The sun pad is also at an angle that makes it a bit tricky. The boat is drop dead gorgeous but i sometimes question the ergonomics of this thing. As said above the dash/windscreen is a bit high and tough to see over and the bilge is way small and tight for any type of service. You need to be real agile and flexible to do the simplest tasks. All the cleats are in horrible positions from the mid cleats being just plain poorly placed to the cleats on the swim platform being in a position that makes damage to the vinyl a regular occurrence. The cabin is comfortable but only for two. The boat is drop dead sexy and most of this stuff you get use to pretty easy. It performs well and turns heads big time. It is really a good lookin boat in the water and seems huge next to any other 38. Quality is very good as well, aside from a onboard charger going bad and one drive (my fault) this is pretty much 100% OEM with 250 hrs.

last run of last year in october :cool:
[youtube]KuEZ8z1wmlw[/youtube]

I will only comment on the big water and can't be handled by the Donzi and have to say truly "false"!! Ran big water in mine for 4 seasons and 400+ hours and it runs rough water like a dream. Friends put away their boats and rode in mine because the 38zx's beam swallows rough water. Down side is all the extra amenities in the cabin eventually take a beating in really rough stuff. All this said, they are both great boats and are a lot of fun. Both do two totally opposite types of boating. Also with the speed comments, the twin steps with 500's I have ran with were running true mid to upper 70's in our neck of the woods and mine ran 70-74 on GPS all day with heavy fuel and lots of friends on board. Good luck in your search, there are a lot of great boats out there for reasonable prices.

I would also tell you to look hard at the Powerquest it is very comparable to the Donzi in size and ride and ammenities. I have rode on a Donzi, and on a 38 cig. Dont get me wrong I will more then likly own a cig next, but i do love my PQ now.. Good luck in what ever you do decide on.


Rich.

Bajaboatnut,
Pay attention though as your other post indicated a 1998 38Zx. This is not a twin step that started in 1999 and is what most of the above posts pertain to. The 98 will ride somwhat different and be slower with equal power.
Also being a very heavy boat you may need an alum trailer and 15k tow rating to be legal going down the road. And 9'3" beam is illegal to tow w/out permit in some states. Not that either one of these conditions is blown each & every day by many.
But the 38Zx is one of my favorites and with a family the cockpit & cabin space are very comfortable. In a cig you'll look great and ride great, but not be comfortable at the dock or anchor point or entertaining another family. Most have vacuflush, many have air, and some have a gen too. I think it's a perfect shot at what the baja 38 special was close to being.

The big difference is they are both great boats. And yes they both handle rough water well. The 38TG is made for speed, low cabin, no imenties. better working room in engine compartment. The Donzi 38ZX big boat wide beam and a big cabin with Microwave, fridge, Head with shower, table converts to bed and sleeps 4. Very cabin friendly. Very high freeboard and a big cockpit can sit 6 no problem. I have a 33ZX and she can crush waves. The down falls, you have to go through the front hatch to get to the anchor "becarefull not to fall off "narrow nose" The platform is slippery but non slip adheseve solves that. The angle rear hatch is great for tanning, The ladies love it and the freshwater shower on the transom is a nice touch. The engine compartment is tight, very tight. The 38ZX is a gentelmans performance boat and is great for overnight stays and coves.. also good in Poker Runs.

Something to also keep in mind with the 38ZX, when docked make sure you dont end up transom to transom with any boat with thru hull exhaust. Got stuck like that once and when the owner of the other boat fired it up the exhaust/water/fumes/towels/and everything else blew right up the sunpad and into the boat. Wasnt his fault and i just ran my sunpad for a minute or two while he warmed up and left. Had some clean'in to do afterwards though :lolhit::drink:


This pretty much goes for the whole ZX line. I see someone mentioned the 38 Powerquest. Definitely worth checkin out i was docked next to one and they are very similar.