Donzi-1960's twin engine?????
 

A co-worker claims in 1969 in Miami he used to ride in a buddies nearly new 30+ foot twin Ford racing/Holman Moody powered Donzi at roughly 100mph. Based on his limited description it was the typical performance boat we run today....but WHAT WAS IT and HOW FAST?

I don't know what was even built back then and could only guess it was a 33 that probably was running about 70.

I too would have trouble believing anything in that size range at that time was running 100 MPH. I don't even think "Checkmate Speedometers" have been developed way back then. (That would have explained the speeds though.)

I thought the first large v-hull to break 100 was a 30 Velocity back in the 80's.

he's a BS artist..

it was

the late 60's twins from donzi were 28 feet or under
it could be a magnum donzi in that 35 foot range but as been said would not be a 100 mph boat

I told him I didn't think anything went near that fast back then.....he said it was 30+ years ago and it's very likely his memory has warped. He was a paid captain on a 72 ft Fedship and got the opportunity to ride on this a couple times. Compared to that Fedship, 30 mph would have seemed fast.

So what models were made around 1967-1969???

This is one of the Donzi 28' powered by Ford, fast for the day [speeds around the 70's ,, in 1968] but not a 100 mph. :eek:

it was probley on the trailer at 100mph behind a big kenworth south bound i-95

yes the 28 sportsman was donzi's biggest offering until the mid 1980's they were twin ford v drive setups production stopped in late 67 early 68 they were a very successful race hull.

When Don sold Donzi to teleflex , he stayed on as a consultant and he was given the molds for a new 35 that was in the works as part of the deal he then started Magnum , as long as he used the name donzi so in 66-69 Don raced Magnum- Donzi. this worked for both Donzi who didn't make a race boat at the time had a connection to the race scene and Don had the name Donzi for reputation and sales.

I think the 35 was eventually called the maltese magnum