Looking at a 2007 Donzi 38ZR...opinions?
 

I am looking at a 2007 38ZR with twin 525's, 150 hours. I'll post a link. Im coming out of a 33 Outlaw, so I am making a huge upgrade. I like the colors, I think its not too loud but not too blah. Whats the overall opinion on these? Going to be mainly boating in South FL. Thanks

http://performanceboatcenter.busines...onzi-38zr.html

Of primary concern would be the 525EFI's factory headers. There are hundreds of threads on the issues with the factory spec'd & installed issues.
Staggered boats have a some slight bit more issues particular to the forward motor having such long tailpipes, that induces additional header vibration and flex over time.

All of these issues are able to be overcome, especially with a header upgrade; as long as no damage has occurred already. You are even a good 100 hours away from any top end concerns.

4 tests I would have done mechanically; aside
1) Full scan of motors including runtime/rpm history (printed and provided)
2) Compression check
3) Leakdown test
4) Headers pressure tested

Overall, it looks like a great boat! Good luck!

I know the guy who is selling the boat. He has had it for two years. He also came out of a 33 outlaw. He and his family recently purchased a SeaRay cruiser is the reason he is selling. I believe he bought it from the original owner. I have rode in it, it is a nice boat. IMO The 38ZR is a nice boat that runs great and has very predictable handling and very sexy lines.

good looking hot rod, coming out of a 33 OL with the sticks in the same configuration is a bonus, luv staggered boats,

Being an 07 it should have the better headers, head gaskets, etc. there is one great thread in here which Eddie young gives a lot of detail on the 525's. Bad ass boat once you check all the items listed above. Good luck.

This is a boat I have an opinion on. 2007 ZR38 only Donzi I have personally driven. You will be impressed. staggered will help you when you sell. header issue, they all have it, so test them ,check them , drive issue, they have them so check them and maintain them, hull issue, it's a good boat have a survey done because nobody gives a ;$&@t once you own it, motors, again test and maintain. boats are not like going to the car dealer with a warranty that is for sure. Overall I think you'll be impressed with this boat. Hey, you asked my opinion sorry for the rant.

Looks clean, interior is really nice. I really like the paint job too. looks like a sweet boat.

You get some good bang for the buck per say with a 38ZR 525EFI boat.
You will have about as much reliability as you can get in the HP boating world and the boat should run close to 90 with that power, will have a nice cruise speed without throttling the boat too hard. Good luck with the search & purchase.

Also, you will need to be on your game when it comes to docking.
Staggered boats are not as easy as side/side twins.

This is pretty much what the salesman is telling me. I am really on the fence with the color scheme, I kind of wanted something a bit louder. I am looking at a couple out there and hopefully we can make a deal. Thanks for your input.

I was told the opposite today, the staggered are easier to dock. I really don't have much experience with staggered motors.

Thanks for all the replies!!

My buddy can dock full stagger like a boss.....I think side by side is far easier due to the leverage. I guess once you are used to it is probably the same.

Thats a classy paint job. You want something that looks like crayola puked all over it?.... That`s going to the equivalent of the 90`s teal and pink in a few years.. :hitfan:

I like the low key classy blue paint on that boat! I would of course try to get them down a little on the price.

I like it. I'd love to have a 38ZR. It should run around 90, 85 with a heavy load from what I've seen.

I was thinking the paint looked good, just enough and not over the top. Best of luck with your search.

[QUOTE=brian18330;4395644]I am looking at a 2007 38ZR with twin 525's, 150 hours. I'll post a link. Im coming out of a 33 Outlaw, so I am making a huge upgrade. I like the colors, I think its not too loud but not too blah. Whats the overall opinion on these? Going to be mainly boating in South FL. Thanks

I looked at a 2007 38 ZR (and many others in this size range) after selling my 2004 302 Baja. Have you been on a 38 ZR yet? I ask this because in your post you say "huge upgrade" and I'd like to know what you mean by that. I can tell you I had no interest in the 38 ZR after looking at one in person at Pier 57 and here's why: it did not feel like that much bigger of a boat. It was way longer, had a huge sunpad area (staggered motors), great fit & finish, quality name and boat go without saying and it would have been AWESOME with that power and speed....all of which was a HUGE upgrade from what I had. The thing that turned me off was the cabin and the cockpit....I had more room in my 302 and you're coming from a 33. I'm 6'1" and I could not even get close to sitting on the seats upright in the cabin. I think Donzi says it has 6' headroom, but that's only about the first foot as your going into the cabin, the other 15' you have to practically crawl into. Cockpit- if I remember correctly, was roughly the same as my 302.

It's absolutely personal preference that I went a different direction and space/cabin were the reasons. The Donzi is without a doubt a LOT more boat and much better quality boat, but when I see you say "huge upgrade" that can mean many different things.

The 38 Donzi Zr is a great boat and that one looks very clean.

Colors are up to your taste, but I really like the timeless look of that one.

The headers should be better by 07 but check them good and you can add header drains and other measures to help prevent problems.

The staggered configuration is awesome for speed and handling. Around the docks it is not as easy as a side by side but once you learn the tricks, its no problem. You just need to bump the throttle on the reverse engine a bit to get it even with the thrust of the forward engine. I can rotate mine on its own axis by leaving the forward drive in gear (no throttle) and my reverse engine in gear with 3-400 extra rpm.

Love the boat, looks great. And I think the paint job is "just loud enough". Noticed in the ad that it has switchable exhaust. Mercury has come out against switchable exhaust for the 525's because of reversion issues. I had to get rid of mine when I upgraded to the 525 from the 496 HO. Good luck with the purchase.

What ever happened to the one that fell off the back of the 40ft wave and got damaged? That was a 38 right? Repaired and sold or...? That might be a good one to avoid.

I remember seeing that video, what a goober

I think that was a 43 with triples

[QUOTE=TCBoss302;4395866]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brian18330 (Post 4395644)

I am looking at a 2007 38ZR with twin 525's, 150 hours. I'll post a link. Im coming out of a 33 Outlaw, so I am making a huge upgrade. I like the colors, I think its not too loud but not too blah. Whats the overall opinion on these? Going to be mainly boating in South FL. Thanks

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As a current Baja owner, I have to agree with TCBoss302 on his points around space and room. I looked at Donzi's when I got out of my 30Outlaw, but as mentioned above, and at 6'2" 245lbsISH :), I got spoiled with the Baja room. Good thing about boats, there are still enough out there and each with their own differences to please everyone.

As for the paint job, I really like it. I think it will wistand all the color fads and schemes for the next 10+yrs to come. It pops, its simple, its timeless...

Lastly, I too had to have my 525s looked at when buying. 2007's that had 100hrs on them. They already had the Merc recall on the headers done with the hose bypass removal.
TSB:
Service Bulletin
Sterndrive No. 2010-01
Circulate to: Sales Manager Accounting Service Manager Technician Parts Manager
THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT IS CONFIDENTIAL AND PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT AND IS THE PROPERTY OF MERCURY MARINE.
This document is provided for the sole and exclusive use of the original recipient as prescribed by Mercury Marine and may not be distributed or copied, digitally or otherwise,
without the prior written consent of Mercury Marine.
2010-01 SEPTEMBER 2010 © 2010 Mercury Marine Page 1 / 2
Updating the Sweeper Headers
Models Affected
Engine Serial Number Range
HP525 EFI 0M956572 and below

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/a...der-update.pdf

that was a 43'

Hey OP, I see you are from Stroudsburg. I'm right up the road in the North Pocono area.

[QUOTE=TCBoss302;4395866]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brian18330 (Post 4395644)

I am looking at a 2007 38ZR with twin 525's, 150 hours. I'll post a link. Im coming out of a 33 Outlaw, so I am making a huge upgrade. I like the colors, I think its not too loud but not too blah. Whats the overall opinion on these? Going to be mainly boating in South FL. Thanks

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This is spot on....I had an 07 38ZR and at 5'10 I could sit up in the cabin....my buddy at 6'4 had to keep his head slightly cocked over when sitting on the couch.....other than that it is a great boat.....rides well, turns well (flat with almost no lean) and is pretty fast (I could run 92 with six blade herrings)....handles side wake like a champ which makes for a good poker run boat.....the thing that would concern me the most about this particular boat is that is it 9 years old with only 150 hours.....most would see that as a positive but I have found that boats that sit up that long with little to no use tend to have nuisance issues

Friend is selling his 2007 ZR, 525s, 240hrs, and has a little more subtle paint. Listed for $145k

I really enjoyed my 2008, 38 ZR. A fun boat with no issues.

Bob

Not 100% certain, but I think the "switchable" exhaust that Mercury is referring to is the silent choice that switches to go out the prop hub. Those systems are notorious for water reversion. The switchable exhaust on the ZRs is the Teague switchable tips which just has an electrically operated butterfly valve that closes to block off some of the exhaust stream. Only for use at idle. No water reversion with these tips.

Is it listed somewhere? How do I get ahold of him? Thanks

[QUOTE=Bullhead;4395953]I have heard this from a lot of people, but I rarely am ever in the cabin. My kids will sit down there to get out of the sun or something, but I might have been in my Baja's a handful of times. Thanks!

Where are you at?

38ZR, ZX and other stuff
 

I have a 38 ZR. Great boats. They were built off the racing hull. They won 9 titles with that hull. The cabin is not meant for hanging out inside. If you want to take a nap, its great for that. This boat was built for one thing..... speed. They are rock solid at speed. I would suggest if you buy this boat or some other zr, to go to Tres Martins high performance boat school.
Many people get the ZX model mixed up with the ZR models. The ZX has a very nice tall cabin and is meant for hanging out down below.
The boat that went over the wave and launched on the west coast was a black 43 ZR.
Tom A is correct on all counts!
The boat you are looking at has a classic timeless paint scheme, not too loud, if you will.
I have the 700's but the 525 are solid motors and you should be able to find a good wrench for them wherever you take it and plenty of parts. good luck with your purchase.

Where is this boat advertised?

I don't believe he has it listed. Give him a call! Dale - 513*368*4692

I'm in Moscow. I boat on Wallenpaupack. Used to live down in Bucks and spent many years on the Delaware River.

Update.....
PBC site says "deal pending"