Why did Donzi fail?
12-07-2020, 10:41 AM
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Why did Donzi fail?
Hey guys sorry about my negligence on this boat, but why did the Donzi 44 Icon never really pan out? I mean It's basically the highest form of luxury/comfort with lots of speed. I understand they sold there demo boat. But why didn't they get at least a handful of orders? Is there something out there that I don't know about this beauty?
Last edited by Gmogomez; 12-07-2020 at 10:43 AM.
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12-07-2020, 06:08 PM
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The same reason a majority of boat builders went out of business. Even this forum has changed quite a bit, it used to be Waterfoul types wrenching on their "affordable" go-fasts with a supportive community of like minded individuals, now it's Skater this, OL that, Cig this, MTI that. Still has a good community but different.
When a basic 28' go fast costs $120k, it's gone from the realm of the affordable weekend hobby to absurd.
When a basic 28' go fast costs $120k, it's gone from the realm of the affordable weekend hobby to absurd.
12-07-2020, 11:07 AM
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Tough market is my guess
12-07-2020, 12:25 PM
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If I remember right, the price on that 44 was well over $800k. For that kind of money, you can have a very nice CC or a more proven cat (MTI, Mystic, Skater, etc). I hate seeing Donzi struggle. We have a 43 ZR with triple 700's and a Limited Edition Blackhawk 22 Classic, so I am a Donzi enthusiast. Donzi was one of the first in the CC market, so it's sad not seeing them relevant even in that class of boats.
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12-07-2020, 12:41 PM
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If I remember right, the price on that 44 was well over $800k. For that kind of money, you can have a very nice CC or a more proven cat (MTI, Mystic, Skater, etc). I hate seeing Donzi struggle. We have a 43 ZR with triple 700's and a Limited Edition Blackhawk 22 Classic, so I am a Donzi enthusiast. Donzi was one of the first in the CC market, so it's sad not seeing them relevant even in that class of boats.
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Bostonirish (12-08-2020)
12-07-2020, 02:18 PM
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I like the Mystic 40 is my favorite and its significantly less than the Donzi MSRP, runs the same speed with 1/2 as many motors and still seats 6.
Donzi/Fountain/Baja group or whatever it is called is going to have the same issues as the former ownership group if they don't come up with fresh ideas that sell.
Re-hashing old 38 ZRC, Fountain 42/47 designs isn't going to work especially at their asking prices. ZRC is a great boat, but face reality it is a terrible fit for today's boating lifestyle.........ZERO amenities and 5 seats. They didn't even revive the better ZRC hull but rather the prior version. How many ZRC's did they sell over the whole production run when the original Donzi was making them? 50-100? Why target such a small group of buyers? I have a buddy that has bought 4 brand new Fountains, the last three being 42s. He loves the brand, big fan of Reggie. He actually inquired about a new build, then complained his last 3 Fountain 42s combined didn't cost what they want for a new one today! Now part of it is the power and drives are much more pricey, can't compare #6s to bravos which his 3 42s had but its essentially the same boat from 20+ years ago.
If it was the car business, imagine if Ford offered a 2000 Mustang GT new today or Chevy offered a 2000 C5 Corvette for the what a 2020 version costs today? It would be crickets in the dealerships........
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12-07-2020, 02:19 PM
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12-07-2020, 02:37 PM
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