New guy: Looking for advice, opinions, comments, direction
 

Hello everyone, new to the forum.

I have owned a couple small runabouts, but I am about to take a leap to a much larger boat and would like to get opinions and comments on two local boats I am interested in. I live in the Pacific Northwest and the boats would primarily be used for weekend fun on Washington and Idaho lakes and rivers...no salt water plans for me.

I am trying to choose between two local boats, both of which have their pros and cons. I am still learning about the larger powerboats and want to make sure that I choose something that I won't end up regretting a year or two from now.

1. 1999 Donzi 28ZX - Asking $33k

This boat has fully rebuilt 365 ci Volvos and drives with less than 40 hours on them. The boat has some gel coat cracks and the interior is pretty dirty. Everything seems to work, but I have not yet seen the boat on the water. The engines and drives have a 2 year warranty with 1 year left and seem to be in pretty good shape. I have ridden in some older Donzi 22 and 16 boats and always liked them. I think the boat would clean up with a good detail, but the interior may have some stains and things that won't come out. No rips or tears.

2. 1993 Scarab 31 - Asking $45k

This boat looks like it is brand new. It has twin 440hp 502 Merc's with Bravo 1 drives. Couplers for both engines were replaced last year, but no rebuilds have been completed on the drives or engines. This boat does not have an hour meter anywhere so the current owner has no idea how many hours are on the boat. The boat was purchased by a member of the local yacht club and has moved through 5 or 6 different owners, all local. It is pretty much stock with a host of features including shower, sink, microwave, fridge, shore power, etc. One draw back is the original head was removed for installation of the microwave and fridge and a porta potti was installed as a replacement. Interior is pristine with the exception of 1 ripped seam on the ending cover.

Hopefully you guys can provide me with thoughts and feedback on both options and I can be more informed with my decision.

I am looking forward to being part of this community.

Thanks

Reid

Just a guess, but if that Donzi is dirty, and has cracks I would suspect neglect! The scarab being " PRISTINE " sounds like it has been taken care of! I would strongly recommend a survey on anything you choose to purchase! The 502 and bravo is a better package and you probably won't outgrow that boat ! Just my 02!!

Any pics of the boats?

Donzi

http://images.craigslist.org/3Kd3G13...84d43e1974.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/3K73Ie3...b42e7c13fd.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/3M53J13...956f9c1bc4.jpg

Scarab

http://images.craigslist.org/3M43Ja3...f42e831e8a.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/3Gd3J53...a156e411be.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/3K73F33...1662db18ef.jpg

I love the ride of my zx... its a little bigger then the 28 but I had a 27 older boat and now that I have my zx I wont go any other way I love my donzi. plus the steped hull is a better faster hull.

bigger is better though if u r going to be getting into bigger water or planning on overnighting on it a lot.

Just my 02, but If i had to choose, i would be all over that Scarab, more cabin, bigger cockpit, and the bigger boat will handle rougher water better! I would consider all of my boating needs, then I would not stop at these two, I would look around and see what else is out there! Better to take a road trip for the boat you want, then to buy and wish you bought something else!

Check this website if you haven't already, some good deals out there!

Powerboatlistings.com

Now if he was choosing between that scarab, and a Donzi 33ZX, there would be no question, just a huge price differance!! Haha, your boat is awesome!

http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/19094.... Nice boat, almost new motors! A tad over the scarab, But they are out there!!

Yeah, I have been looking for quite a while. Actually looked into a 33ZX in Huntington Beach, CA but it didn't work out.

Thanks for the comments! Keep 'em coming.

if u could go with a 33 zx I would do that it has everything u need and with the right power moves. im in the 80s mine is a 2000 and got it for 60k

here is a good one http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/21338

I would say that scarab is a bit over priced. Motors could be tired, hard telling without any history on them. It does look nice though

Unfortunately when most people think go-fast boat they don't think Volvo. I think that could hurt resale. (Although based on the little work I have done on a buddy's Volvo I liked a lot of their out drive design better!!)

I thought so too. I figured that the Scarab should be between $36k and $38k...would that be in the right ballpark?

If you are considering that Scarab for $45,000 I make that offer on a 33'AVS.
http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/16338
That 33ZX for $54,900 is nice also.

Volvo invented the outdrive, merc copied And made better after expired patent....
Both drives are good.. One is just a better bride than the other on certain applications!! My 02

i have looked at several 28ZX's with at friend and they all had cracks in the exact same places. I am not sure if it was certain years or just neglect. NO DOUBT Donzi made great boats but I would get a survey to make sure they aren't structural issues. If not, then you just have to live with the cosmetic blemishes.

Never been on a scarab so I can't offer my .02 on that.

I would say keep looking. There are WAYYYY to many good deals out there right now.

I have read that the Volvos are a good drive, but expensive to maintain. The Merc's are far more common in this area as well.

These types of boats are not moving at all here, which is a bit concerning, but that may change in a few years. We have 6 or 7 local performance boats and they have all been for sale for several months

http://miami.en.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/3762873497.html

Dont limit your search area, it can be worth making a road trip for the right boat at the right price.

There are several Fountains ( even a 102mph 47'er) and Nordics for sale on the west side of the state. Larsons has a couple that look really clean as well as a nice skater.

Thatis a sweet find!

Hey Reid,

welcome to the community of a great hobby!

my .02, I love our 28ZX that we have owned for 5 years now. while our layout is different than the one you are looking at, the hull is similar with the twin steps. this is one of the most fuel efficient twin engine boats in its class. that being said, if you are a partier/drinker and plan on doing some overnights on the boat, it sucks because the head is under the bed, which means you have to dismantle yer bed if your women doesnt want to dip her junk in the lake and go. price is reasonable, get some magic erasures and clean the vinyl (you'll be amazed at how well those things work, just rinse as soon as you use them, don't want the bleach to ruin the stitching).

The Scarab, a great boat, nice features (seperate head), looks very clean, I highly doubt that it is as fuel efficient as the Donzi with the twin small blocks. Nontheless, a well built boat, clean and cared for, price seems a bit high for a '93.

good luck in your search. not sure how small your previous boats were, but I am a fan of twin engine boats for many reasons that some will dispute/some will support.

tom

Talked to the owner of that 33ZX over the winter, really nice guy. I love the red color scheme on the ZX and cant stop staring at the pics of that boat.:drool1:
One thing I cant understand is that boat has 540ci 650hp motors in it and he told me the fastest it has seen is 78mph....wrong props?......that just doesn't sound right. I would think that boat should run mid 80's. There is a 33 Daytona poker run here in the burgh with merc 600sc's that runs 87 on flat water.

I think the 31 Scarabs are a great boat for the money but the one here in the thread seems priced really high. I bought a 91 Scarab 31 over the winter and if I thought I could get anywhere close to that for it I would sell it and go after that 33zx

Thanks Tom.

I had an older 18' sea and currently a Bayliner 21'. I use the magic eraser on my Capri now and they are amazing. I have set up to test drive both boats this weekend...the Donzi on Saturday and the Scarab on Sunday. I guess we will see what happens.

We don't do much cruising...we typically put in and find a beach within a couple miles and park for the day so fuel efficiency is not a huge concern for me. We will do mostly day boating, but would like to start getting into more overnighters. I think the Scarab would be a little better for that.

What do you think would be a fair price of a Scarab of that vintage?

http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/1993...0199073/Values

Click on the link i attached. I don't know all the options or if this is a Thunder, so you can modify the search on this site. Average retail shows 25k. there is definitely something to be said for the care the Scarab received.

Because you are looking to do the dayboating thing, my best advice (just remember, advice is worth what ya paid for it....and I aint chargin ya nothin :) ) is to make sure you have a nice big comfortable sun pad! My wife and I (+ friends) love goin to our sandbar and hangin out on our sun pad and laying out.

Good luck Reid, Hope this helps!

tom

Thanks.

With the options on the boat it books at just about $34k...I assume NADA does not include a trailer in the pricing so that would add maybe $4k...so $38k maybe?

The boat does not have an hour meter either so I have no idea how much time is on the boat/motors/drives. This makes me a little nervous. Last thing I want is to blow $40k on a boat and then be doing a $5k rebuild mid summer.

http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/1999...0057843/Values

did one for the donzi too. again, don't know all the options, but threw on a cover just like i did for the Scarab. NADA shows 30k

yes, the NADA does not show anything for the trailer, I suppose 4k is reasonable.

tom

defiantly propped wrong or he is off on the hp I have the 500 efi's and am running hi 70's all day and low 80's on a prefect day got 82 once last year.

I've been talking with this guy all morning. Love the boat, but fml, its going to cost me $8k to get it here...ugh.

About 3K miles down at 18 MPG = 166 gallons of diesel x 4.25 = 705.88. 3K miles back at 12 MPG = 250 gallons of diesel x 4.25 = 1062.5. $1768 plus a week off from work and another couple of grand for hotel rooms and food. Sounds like an awesome road trip.

See if the guy will work with you, meet halfway? Pay for a portion of the shipping?

ask around for a porter that is looking for a one way... I got lucky I found a guy that was in va where my boat was and was coming up to ohio any way so I got mine ported to me for 750 couldn't beat it. if u want it bad enough u will make it work. I did

A little larger than what you mentioned but in the ball park price wise. Little closer to WA also.
http://loz.craigslist.org/bod/3792873829.html

Maybe out of the price range, but closer to home.
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...795210434.html

Just one thing ...in 1994 Scarab did not make a 34 scarab. that boat is a 31. The 31 is almost 33 feet with the swim deck but not quite 34.

That 95 33zx is decent looking but that is the old non-step hull so the 454's would probably only run 60 or so. Still a big comfortable boat and priced well

So, on the advice of IROCDave I expanded my search and found a great deal (I hope). I found a 1995 scarab 31 that looks very nice in the Midwest for $30k-ish. I've been talking to the guy all day and am pretty confident. I'll be flying out to check it out next week...if everything works out I'll be the proud owner of a scarab by Memorial Day!

Thanks for all the help and comments. I'll post some pics and details as soon as I can.

Good job! Are you planning to have it surveyed? It would be a good idea to line up a marine surveyor. If you like the boat have him check it out. Best case he finds a couple of nuggets to help negociate the price down to pay for the survey, worst case he saves you from buying a problem.

If you buy the boat you should look in to the Lake Chelan Poker Run. Lake Chelan Boating Club It takes place July 12th - 14th. Even if you dont register it would be worth making the trip and spending a couple days on the water with like minded boaters. There are several people from the west side of the state registered for the event.

I am going to fly out and look at the boat next week and have already done a lot of research on it. We'll take a test run and I'll make sure I am comfortable before making the commitment. Here's a few pics

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...tSideRear2.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ideFull2-1.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...iomotel-1.jpeg

Looks like a great wave crusher! Hope it checks out and winds up in your garage. You do know you will have to bring it to Seattle and make the run to the SanJuans dont you? SeaFair also...

Good luck man, keep the pics coming.

The Scarab looks nice from the pics. I would defiantly have a survey done on any boat you are considering buying, especially if its your first real powerboat. Its money well spent! Good luck! Welcome to OSO!

BlackM,

I tried to respond to your PM but the site seems to be having issues. Hit me up on NWoffshore and I will point you to the information your looking for. I go by the same user name there.