Powerboat Magazine had a 22 Progression on the cover back in 1992. That's when I fell in love with the boat. They really liked it with a 2.5 EFI. The only problem was that the air wasn't fully bled from the Latham hydraulic steering yet.

How was I to know that I would buy what turned out to be the very next 22 out of the mold about 4 years later. It's absolutely the best boat I've ever owned and definitley the most fun to drive. And let me tell you, I've driven literally hundreds of boats because I work at a marina.

It does upper 70s with the 2.5? I always wondered what a 22C would do with a 2.5.

I know what people are talking about when turning very sharply when coming off plane. It really never feels scary to me, or that Im ever out of control. I have never felt like the boat was going to sink due to a low speed turn. Now the passengers, I doubt they would agree with me. It is a driver's boat.

Gotta love outboards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAuE1E39c_M

It does 78 MPH with a Diamond Marine modified 2.5/200. (It dynoed at 238 HP) With a 2.5/265 (Powerboat cover boat) it did mid 80's. With a 2.5/280 screwed to the back, it should run 90ish.

As for the Progression "falling off a chine," it doesn't do it. The Donzi 22 I rode in did - and really got my attention.

There was a Progression here in NJ that delaminated the bottom, it was a race boat. The bottom was balsa cored.

But they do run very nicely!!

i am shopping for my first power boat and i am considering the Donzi 22c or a Nordic 22 evolution. i want a bigger boat one day but i want to start out small to learn how to drive a high horsepower boat.

SO! everyone always talks about top speed but what about daily cruising?

for me, what speed does the Donzi 22c (or any 22ft boat w/
IB-OB V8) plane off at? do i have to run 40mph all the time? unfortunately i have never ridden on one of these. my experience is my OB fishing boat and my cousins v6 Trophy.

Donzi all the way.. unless you want alot of cockpit room.. By far the funnest boat in the size range ,,.. And they tend to hold their value..

.

My Criterion planes at 21 mph with tabs. Will cruise 30 all day. 22's should be about the same.

The 22 went through several engine and drive packages. First was the 330 hp 454 in the 80's with the TRS. TRS is a big drive and takes power to turn one. Ealry 90's saw the King Cobra with Ford power OMC 460. Then Merc, with 330 hp 454 and a higher 454 mag coupled to a Bravo. Then, the 502 boats with Bravo or Bravo XR. Then the 496 boats, and finally, back to the 502 this year, although Donzi is in limited production with new Classics.

All were capable of 60+ mph. 502's and 496's were easily capable of over 70. Some, like the Shelby and 009 boats with a higher X were capable of 80+. The general consensus is the 502 415hp boats are the most sought after.

You will need to learn how to use the trim tabs if you want to go under 30. The 22Cs lope along at 35 just fine. Keep in mind, that 35mph feels very different in a sport hull than it does in other types that are designed to run 40mph max. It really feels like a slow crawl at 30-35.

great info, thanks for the reply's!