Donzi ZR. Ever seen one with a bimini?
 

I have a 27 ZR on its way to Thailand where the heat is scorching hot every day of the year.

I hate thinking about a bimini and will probably end up buying a sunshade but want to know if anyone has ever seen a bimini on any size ZR. Do they destroy the lines of the boat? I know high speed is a limiting factor too but my single engine boat is pretty slow.......

If anyone has a photo that would be great. :)

Another silly question from an Aussie, many Americans pronounce the letter "Z" as "Zee" whereas Aussies always say "Zed". Is my boat a 'Zee-R' or 'Zed-R'?
(I warned you it was a silly question)

Cheers.
RR

There are all kinds of go fast boats with bimini tops. Especially on Lake Mead and Lake Powell.

Some other guys will have some input but the general rule of thumb is to have a stainless frame and all rigid supports thru bolted if possible and thru bolted mounts on the poles ends too.. Can you run wide open - NO. But at least on plane to a reasonable amount of speed.

I used these guys thru a referral on OSO. They did a full metal frame with good hardware. Mine was 8 feet long, with good material and it was only $800. Just let the manufacturer know what you are doing and they can build it to work.

Andrew
Northstar Products2925 South Ave Toledo, Ohio 43609419-389-5515

www.northstarproductsinc.com

[email protected]

Maybe check out River Dave's Place, there's probably a ton of pics with biminis on go-fast boats. Zee-R

Are you going to call it a Donzed or a Donzi? Can't have it both ways I'm thinking. :drink:

Its a common option here out west. I used too go down to Red Bluff in Northern California for drag boat races. The weather there is already into the 100's temp wise now. A bimini might look weird, but its a must to enjoy being outside in the heat.......

Despite growing up watching American movies and television, plus even living in the USA off and on my whole life. Its Zed!!!! Not zeee!

Thank you all, I'm sure I can get one made here, whatever I want, I'd make one with pvc tubing first just to get the dimensions right then give it the stainless guy. Just hoping to hear from someone who's seen one.

Keep the Zee Zed stuff coming, in Thailand, every boat is registered with a name. I'm not big on boat names but I have no choice. Simply "Donzi" would have been nice but it's already in use so my next choice is "Zed R" / "Zee R".

RR

Zee ARRR! like a pirate!

I only see them with tops unless they are out running. Seems like standard equipment for guys that don't want to die out there.

Second That!

Not Donzi Zr's but you get the idea.

Third that!

Where is that "LIKE" button already?

Is that Outlaw on a tri-axle trailer to make the boat look bigger? Seems pretty overkill to me. Also, As much as I hate tops on boats, I love being under them, so I say go for it.

Definitely ZEE R

Can completely empathize with you on the issue of a bimini , not that it's the first time it's ever come up .
Sun out here is blinding and scorching for the entire boating season also and with all the concerns about skin cancer now it makes sense to give all the vain naysayers the finger and just do it.
It'll just make your slow running and anchor time so much more bearable as well .

As for 'Zed' and 'Zee' , did you learn English in school or American ? ?

Yeah , it's a 'Donzee' but the letter is a Zed .. lol

Having one on a older boat I would make sure the front eyelets are secure so as to not crack the gel over time , running with the top up puts alot of pressure on those little mounts.
The Donzi in the pic above looks like they attached to the bow rail which is much better imo ............. congrats on your new boat and to anyone that doesn't care for the shade , well sit in the sun.

Appreciate all the suggestions, nobody has bashed the idea so I'll probably go with a stainless Bimini and Sunbrella..
Zee v Zed, Zee's are ahead but it's not a landslide so I'll stick to what I was taught as a kid. :)
Thanks.
RR

When I had my Donzi ZXO, it had a bimini top, however, I did not care for the look so I took it off and used the Anchor shade.

Taylor Made AnchorShade III

Biminis are great. You can always take the Bimini off if you don't want to use it that day. And you don't have to ride with them at a 45 degree angle like the above pictures. Mine fits around the hatch so the hatch can open and close with the Bimini down. also make sure it's tall enough to walk around underneath otherwise it will be annoying http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...4/IMG_2655.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...4/IMG_1723.jpg

I've added bimini tops to several fast boats. My last 382 had a big stainless top that I ran as fast as 80 with it up (it did knock about 5 mph off the speeds but who cares in the shade!!!).

Zee-R

ToMorrow, thanks for the pics, nice boat, bimini looks like it belongs there. Like the way you can move it back so it will lay down behind the hatch, not sure I could do that because I don't have the flexibility of the windscreen rail like you do. Can't lie it down across the top of the rear lounge either because the lounge lifts up in one piece with the hatch. Something to work on.

And I see we have another Zee-R among us...... :)

RR

A lot of west coast companies use these low profile Bimini mounts. That way you can put the Bimini anywhere you want and when you take it off, it's not as obtrusive.

Bimini Mount Set Flush - Marine Industries West

When I purchased my 35zr it had DUAL Bimini tops. (ashamed)
They stored inside of the engine bay on two nicely made stainless racks that held the tops against the bulkhead. I have had them on up on Ebay for a while now. Just not my speed and the brackets would wreck you if you missed your footing when getting in. I still have the front strap rings just ahead of the windshield and use them along with two small loops on the rear to hold my ANCHORSHADE made by TaylorMade.

If you like the look of it...go for it. I have a pair super cheap to sell. However the anchorshade is a much more pleasing look for a performance boat like a ZR

Wow! I was starting think none had ever been made.
Dont suppose yo got any pics? (Set up or stored) Do you still have the eBay ad? If you have a link maybe I can see a pic.

Next silly question, I've never seen a ZR of any size, I'm assuming the 35 cockpit is quite a bit bigger than a 27, hard to tell from photos. If they're the same size, I might try to work a deal with you. Sounds like it might look God awful but it's the best way to protect from the heat here even knowing I'd have to drop it down for higher speeds.

Thanks for the help,
RR

all of our boats have Bimini tops, SS sunbrella

Like this one? 4 axles on a bolt together trailer for a 342 seemed a little silly to me.

It's taken 5 months but I finally have a nice bimini......!
Sunbrella of course and all mountings are quick release and thru-bolted. The first effort had just over 6' headroom and looked awful. At 45-50 mph one of the quick release fittings 'released quickly', possibly due to the length of the support, too much side to side movement. Decided to lower it all by about 8" which is fine when seated and cruising which is most of my boating. Standing up I have to sit back in the bolster and lean forward to the controls a little or fold the top down.

Probably the most expensive Bimini top ever made..........(twice.......!)
Its still a bit ugly but aren't they all?

RR how do you like the Donzi over the Fountain?

Doesn’t look bad. The way it’s nice and flat matches the ZR lines. Looks relaxing under there too.

If you drink fosters on the boat, id say it’s zed-r

Not really a comparison because the Fountain was a 34' CC but.......
both boats impressed me for very solid build, almost heavy. Hitting a wave or dropping into a hole, no rattles or noises on either. I'd say they're about the same. Overall finish, Donzi might have the edge but it's not a real comparison. Both boats live up to their name!

RR

Managed to get the line about horizontal when the boat is running. Bimini is very very taught so it doesn't fill up with wind. Nice and protected under there, essential in this climate.
Back in Aus I usually drank imported beers, call me a traitor but Fosters (and most other local beers) are awful!

RR