bblythe

How does a 38 zr stack up agaist a 42 ?
1. speed
2. rough water
3. Build
4.Comfort
5.Cabin size

Lexanlarry

Both run around 90 with 525's, the zr has very high marks on handling, they will both be similar in rough water, narrow beam boats, neither have much of a cabin, no head height, donzi is built better and more solid, boats are close to save length 39' hull

DM

Here is a 525 staggard 04 Ex that runs 82 w/ xr drives and standard bravo 4 blades and next to it is an 07 ZR 525 staggard ( a closer Staggar by the way ) w the ITS drives and 6 blade Herings and it runs 89. Both handle excellent in my opinion. The front berth for the bed has a lower ceiling in the Donzi. Don't feel you would be dissappointed w either.

4bus

iTrader: (4)

That Ex is not a fair comparison. A lightning model of the same year will add more head room, and most have a vacu flush head, some have a generator and a/c. Buy an 07 plus 42 and you will get the latest in cockpit and cabin interior offerings, putting them on par or above most on the market.

Have two friends with late model 42 lightning models with full stagger 525s its. One is stock and claims 84 mph, the other has -2 imcos and 5 blade props, claims 88 mph

glassdave

iTrader: (1)

+1

The Donzi quality is much better. (not saying anything at all wrong with Fountain but having had my hands on both the Donzi scores a little higher) both great boats though.

bblythe

How about cockpit room and freeboard height

Bullhead

Interesting feedback so far.....I owned an 07 38ZR with 525's and a 09 42 Fountain with 700's....The Donzi cockpit had a little more room (it's beam is a little wider) but the Fountain Cabin has more headroom and was significantly nicer...the Donzi felt lighter and turned flater....the Fountain felt heavier and leans more when it turns....I believe speed wise in fairly calm conditions with identical power they would be very close.....in rough conditions I believe the Fountain is hands down superior.....I also believe the construction of the Fountain is better.....both very nice but the Fountain gets my vote...if you were comparing a 38 vs 38 I probably would have a different conclusion....i do think the Donzi color schemes were as a whole a little better

mcprodesign

I'm glad this came up. Did Donzi splash Fountain's hull design or vise versa? They look similar. Fountain definatly domintes racing and top speed from what I have seen. I also think donzi looks a little less stylish. I am obviously biast. I absolutly love my fountain.

Donzi ZX

It'll be interesting to see how well both brands will be built now, considering they're under Baja ownership. Any news on new builds underway for either brand?

bcfountain

i have never ridden in a 38donzi,only a older 35.donzi makes a great boat with a good history.as donzi zx stated,it would be interesting to see how the boats are made now.my friend has a 07,42 lighting w/525,s stagered.the boat has every option that was aviable that year.it will run 80 all day long and on a lite load will run better than 85.both are nice boats.i would say if you want to go fast,go with the 42.if you do alot of over niteing,do the donzi.you will be happy with anyone of them.i would.