1973 donzi gt21
 

I just got a project boat for me and my daughter Lauren (14 years old). I had no idea Donzi had a deep vee model in that era. We are planning on gutting it and put it back together with spare parts I already have. I don't mind that it wont be worth much and I will be upside down on what I put into it. We are doing it more of a learning project and spending time together. Does anyone have any knowledge of these boats. How did they ride? I just thought it looked cool with its lines and cool interior layout.

Your surprise that Donzi had a deep V model in that year is a bit confusing . Donzi Started building for sale in approx 1965 (ok there was maybe 4-8 1964s) with the 16 the 19 and the 28 . All were models that were raced and were all deep Vs . None of the other models were really raced like the originals although there was a GT21 or two that made it on the circuit.
The GT21 has always been one of my favorites as it encompasses everything noteworthy about Donzi at the time . Great hull , luxury and classic lines .
Probably not a whole lot of them made either , certainly not compared to the 16 , 18 and 22 .
I've never heard anything negative about the ride but the major info source would be over on the Donzi.net
What kind of shape if the windscreen in ? They were notorious for sagging in the center , not to mention that the plexi ended up scratched and burnt out .

If nothing's been done to it it's going to need a fair bit and don't forget that gas tank !

Stick up some pics for us , eh ?

is this it ? nice looking boat, interior layout is cool as hell

Should be a awesome project for you an your Daughter. I think it's great that she would enjoy doing this with her Dad. Enjoy your time with her a post pictures please.

----I know that yellow 21 well as I was working part time for Donzi when it was being rigged. It was built for a very good friend of John Chisholm's to his specifications. Loaded with optional stuff. Originally was powered by a Mercruiser 427 competition engine and no.3 Speedmaster and it flew back in the day when I had a ride. The owner had a prior GT21 with twin 351 Holman-Moody's and Volvos, but couldn't keep the drivetrain together as well as it was a bit stern heavy. The interior on the yellow boat was totally lipstick red patent vinyl (glossy). Made quite an impression on me as I ordered one a bit more sedate, but along the same lines. The boat was later turned back in to Donzi and the drivetrain was removed as it was deemed to valuable to be able to sell the boat easily. The boat ended up in Texas later........Bill S

That's it !!!! My back bench seat has sides on it. I know it also had a #3 drive on it as well. How well will it run with a 350 Mag? I need to fill in the transom. Any idea of what the x dem should be for a Alpha or Bravo?

i know, ask some of your single engine class 5 & 6 racing buddies where to put the X then secretly pass that info to me

start a poll
speed w/350 mag
what x and why

WOW! That is a COOL boat!
Please give frequent updates.

Padraig

We have been sanding away!!!! Got down to the original color (Baby Blue sides, stripe and White rest of boat). I was thinking the old school colors might look good to go back to when I re paint it. What do you guys think? More modern color or old school? Can I e-mail someone and you can post some pics. I need a volunteer.

They're the classics because , well , they're classic !
That's why they're still loved and revered everywhere .
Keep it simple and elegant like how it left the factory . If you bastardize it with metallic paint , flags , flames , carbon fiber , outrageous graphics and god know what else you'll destroy it's appeal and any chance of ever getting a good price on it if you ever re-sell . You purchased a Donzi classic , do you want to turn it into a floating jukebox ?
Take your time and do it right . But , it's your boat after all , not mine .

Go old school. Or Shelby blue with white or silver stripes down the deck. Mount the bravo 17.5. That way you should be close and still could space down if needed
good luck. Bring it up to lake George when you're done.

That's the plan to take it on our vacation to Lake George. I hope I can get it done by then

I would do it old school.
It's a timeless boat, I'd keep it simple and let the boat tell its story

I also like old school. Its a hard sell to my daughter about the Powder Blue LOL Were these good handling boats ?

Keep it simple less is more on the old donzis. My favorite one I have seen so fare was all white with a blue stripe up the bow with the donzi on the back corners small and simple. White seats with blue carpet. Loved that boay

Don' go baby blue then. Go more of a navy blue

I say old school but that doesn't mean you have to do it the original baby blue color.
As above, navy blue can be old school, put a waterline stripe (stick-on) any color your daughter likes. Some nice colors go with navy (white, yellow, silver) that can give the boat a 'lift' and make it stand out. You could also do a nice Donzi name to match the stripe.......

Up to you!

Very nice project, hope you two have fun on the rebuild.

RR

agreed, old school / original themed,
your sanding now so if the gel was just scuffed for paint, maybe theres enough there to save it.

another thing, my transom needs a patch, but only on the inside top of the cutout, so i made a jig to route it out
and a 1 inch bigger jig to route out the patch so it fits nice. (based on a 1/2 inch dia. router bit)

it's made for my needs but it can be moved around or turned sideways depending on the size of the hole
example would be bottom outside for the push and top inside for the pull.
but thats up to you how big where and why the transom gets patched.
theres an insert for both jigs in case the hole / patch size needed to be adjusted down.
(but youd have to verify each cut would match eachother) it's set for a 1/2 inch bit, so patch has to be 1 inch bigger.

to give you an idea, on mine the blue tape represents the original patch.
in the hole you can see the seam.
my router is an old cast iron cold war relic 6 inches diameter, therefore the actual cut out will be 3 inches smaller
than the jig. so my patch will end up being 3 inches wider on each side of the cut out at it's widest point
and close to 6 inches on top, then the glass will extend 3 inches past that, basiclally where it's ground down to

i'm gonna use it tomorrow or saturday, after that if you would like i'll send it to you and the mercury
transom jig with all the bits and hole saw when your ready to do it
as long as you pay shipping and return it to me after completion.

WOW that's a nice set up. Thanks for the offer.

Cool boat and an awesome project for you and your daughter!

A 72 got posted up in the craigslist gold thread, made me think about yours.
Update or what ?