I thought the 525 Fountains ran 100+? All I hear here is upper 80s?

You need 700's for 100+ in a 42.

I know advertised top speed under ideal conditions sells boats, but it really doesn't mean jack in real world conditions as I've seen time and time again ....... Just buy both boats try them out and sell one, sounds like a tough job, but somebody's got to do it ...... I'd start with the ZR, looks way Killer !!!!!!

Fountains and Donzi's have very similar hull designs because the same person was hired by both companies to design their steps. Here's an excerpt from an article on the Donzi ZRC when it first came out.

......" Stepped bottoms have added many benefits to a boat's performance, mostly increased speed and fuel economy. But rarely have you heard that they benefit a boat's handling. Why? Steps force air beneath the boat's hull, which can disrupt the hull's adhesion to the water. Less adhesion equals less maneuverability.

Or so they say. While developing its new 38 ZR for a return to offshore racing, Donzi consulted Jim Caldwell, who was instrumental in designing the first stepped hulls for Fountain. Donzi claims that Caldwell's new design, called Fluid Diversion, improves a stepped-hull boat's handling by diverting water away from certain sections, or pressure points, on its running surface. As you initiate a turn, water is pushed away from the bottom of the inboard side of the hull, resulting in more stability."


http://www.boatingmag.com/donzi-38-zr-power-curves

The story as told to me was that when team Donzi hired Mr. Caldwell from Fountain he asked them if they wanted their new hull to be the fastest boat in a straight line or the fastest to get around a twisty, turning race course. They decided on the latter and thus the hull he came up with for the ZRC's is slightly different than what he designed for Fountain. It seemed to work well for Donzi as you never seem to hear about ZR's swapping ends in a turn, but they are a little slower in a straight line.

This sounds spot on....as i pointed out earlier they displayed different characteristics while turning....i also felt that the Donzi did not roll quite as much when encountering side wakes but again did not handle the rough as well (might simply be a matter of weight)...ultimately my opinion is the Fountain is overall a little better....the best speed I saw with the Donzi (525's, ITS, labbed herrings) was 92mph

You've had some dam nice boats - present one included. :)

bullhead u looking to adopt a son. lol i need more money to get whipple superchargers....:evilb:

Look who's talking......I hope we cross paths somewhere this year so I can check out that ZRComp in person

With two "trendy" daughters in college I'll have to pass.....my Bro-in-law had a 99 33ZX....it was a great boat.....lots of room, killer cabin and would run in the high 70's with stock 496's

iI have a 38ZX and its surprisingly fast for a nine plus foot wide eleven thousand five hundred pound (dry) boat. Best of 82mph with mere 525's on GPS. I had thought John Coskar designed those, was the ZX line also from Caldwell?