Introduction/ISO
 

Hello all

I did not see an "introduction" thread for new members (if there is one and I was just too stupid to find it let the shaming begin) - so I felt appropriate to introduce myself. I've spent several hours on this forum before joining, my father has been a member for years and decided to join myself.

My name is Connor. I was born and raised in West MI and have done the majority of my boating here. I lived down in Kentucky for a few years where I experienced the Ohio River and Lake Cumberland boating, which was different than what I grew up with but loved it. I'm back in Michigan now and do the majority of my boating out of Grand Haven with the occasional trips to Lake Charlevoix (our favorite). I was boating before I could walk and spent the last 3 years with a Powerquest 300 Revenge with HOs that I loved -- but an opportunity came to sell in which I felt I could not pass up, so I let it go. The new search now begins, in what looks like the toughest 'buyers' market in quite some time. I'm in no hurry, which helps. I've pretty much convinced myself that I want a Donzi 35ZR after all of the research/reading that I've done (most of which on this page). Not much to choose from out there right now, but for the right boat - I'd definitely be ready to buy. If anyone has a line on one, fire it my way!

I look forward to being a member and contributing to the forum.
Thank you all!

Connor

Welcome! Donzi 35ZR is a nice choice -- but like you said, it's a seller's market now, so patience is the key.

Thank you!

I'm sure one will come up eventually, I will just have to keep my eyes peeled. Might be a weird summer without a boat -- might have to tag along with the old man!

I dig the 35 ZR's as well. Look at grand sport center in Illinois and on facebook there are a few.

Welcome! Glad to see the love of the sport carries through another generation!

Welcome. There’s a sharp blue 35ZR 496HOs on powerboat listing that might still be available.

I've found out I have some exciting life changes coming so I could be tempted to sell my low hour original 35 ZR. Happy to talk about it over PM.

I good friend of mine just picked up a 38ZR and I am drooling over it. Just a little too much hull for me at this point, I think.
GSC has one that I have looked at but it's got some things about it I am not wild about. It's definitely been used. They do a nice job of pointing out the blemishes so they are not hiding anything, but it needs a little TLC.
I know it started out with 496's and someone put 525's in it - and then twisted them up to 600HP. I actually asked GSC for the documentation of the rebuilds / dyno sheets and they haven't gotten back to me. Thinking I will wait it out and find one that really gets my gears going.

Thank you! It's somewhat of a difficult hobby in Michigan...between weddings, grad parties, and rain, you only get a few good weekends to use your toys. But I couldn't imagine it any other way.

I believe that boat is sold -- If it was not, I would be all over it. It's absolutely gorgeous, and my favorite color.
My favorite truck I've ever owned was a 2011 Silverado in "laser blue metallic" -- the boat resembles that a lot.

First off, congratulations!

I will shoot you a PM -- I'd definitely love to hear what you've got.

There is virtually no difference in running at 35 or 38 boat. The COST to MANUFACTURE a 38 over a 35 is nominal. Albeit MSRP and sales prices do not reflect that. If you find a 38ZR that suits your needs, jump on it. After a year with a 35, you will want a 38 anyhow.
Remember a 35 Donzi ZR is actually only a 33'-ish long hull, and a 38 Donzi ZR is roughly a 36' long hull. Those two models include the molded in swim platform as part of the overall measurement and naming convention. Same with many Fountains, Sonics, and Sunsations.

Excellent input, and I will certainly keep that in mind. It appears that the 38s are just as hard to find as the 35s right now. I saw a red one with 700s that is right up my alley. Just not my wallet's.
Thank you!

Figured I would update this post -- as I have have not been on the forum much.
A few updates:

I did end up finding a beautiful and clean 35ZR with 525s and all of the amenities we were looking for (heat/ac, generator, pump out head) in June of '21. My wife and I loved every second spent on the boat and we got a ton of use out of it.

Recently, a gentleman from Iowa called me at work (assume he found me on one of the Donzi Facebook groups) and asked if I would sell the boat...to which I reluctantly said "yes I would consider it". My wife was 8 months pregnant with our first and I did not figure we would do "a ton" of boating in the near future. I figured the best time to sell is when I am not looking to sell, right?

Long story short, I told him what I felt was a fair price for the boat...and sure enough he and his wife came and picked it up the day we brought our son home. It was a busy day full of emotions.

The financially responsible thing to do as a new father would have been to hang on to the money for a rainy day. However, my wife kept bothering me for a "push present".......
I ended up purchasing a 38ZR that had been "re done" in 2022. It has everything the 35 had & then some, my favorite addition being the Alcantara interior.

I decided to name the boat "Push Present" -- seemed appropriate.

We already had our little dude out for a cruise (he slept the entire time) -- and loved spending time under the Anchor Shade.
Some fun pics below of the old boat and the new boat.

Boating season is about done here in MI so we are already thinking about next year!

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...bf2fb4175f.jpg
My wife and I on Lake Charlevoix with the 35
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3c6fb13bff.jpg
Last trip with the 35 in Traverse City for Cherry Fest (wife about to pop, she's a trooper).
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...308562cd8f.jpg
The 35 on its last day with us
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c9a6cc1e06.jpg
The new 38
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...649f0d7725.jpg
The new 38
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3b08df3339.jpg
The day I brought the 38 home
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...07f7cbfe1c.jpg
First trip on the 38 as a family
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c091d29847.jpg
Proud dad (don't worry we have a life jacket & earmuffs for him when we are underway)
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d137db2c21.jpg
38 interior & engine bay


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4f533a5d35.jpg
When the boat was getting the new paint it also got a new trailer built by Integrity out of Nunica, MI. I am very pleased with it.

Great looking Donzi!

Thanks!

Very nice 38. Looks like you made a trip to LOTO. Looks likeThe Cave and maybe Margaritaville???

We are loving it so far.
A good eye you have -- those pics were taken at LOTO but are not mine -- they are from the previous owner. He had taken it down there a few weeks prior to my purchase of it.
We would love to make a trip down someday ourselves.

That’s a pretty slick one! Congrats on your boy and the boat.

I’m assuming that boat was silver before the re-do? Any before pictures?

Thanks!

I've actually followed your 38ZR thread for quite a while.
I love the updates you've made....I wish I had that sort of ability.

The boat was actually bright yellow like what the accent colors are. I don't have any before pictures unfortunately.

Enjoy both the new toys, the 38 looks killer, congrats

Maybe one of these:


https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...202FU&usqp=CAU
Attachment 577841https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Xxl2gaMKsyc/h...3mBFavOuJcZbPw

I’m thinking the 35zr and 38 ZR have about same cockpit/cabin space. And most length difference in 38 allows for engine stager? I think deeper free board due to length. But running the 38’ must be awesome?

Thank you!!

This is the one
​​​​​​​

The cockpit space (in my opinion) is far greater in the 38 than the 35 -- although my 35 had the poker run style bolster seats in the rear which took up a ton of space. This 38 has a bench seat which is a huge upgrade for us.
The boat is almost 9' wide vs 8'6 on the 35 and I can honestly feel it everywhere. The cabin is a touch more spacious but not as notable as the cockpit. The biggest difference that I can see is the 'couches' actually have storage underneath them.
To your point, most of the length is found on the sunpad - which is a huge deal for my wife.

Running the 38 vs the 35 is absolutely no comparison. The 38 is just so much better balanced.

Way cool! Congrats on your son and your boat!

Wow that was a full redo! Don’t think anyone is going to miss the previous paint scheme.

I’ve heard the same from other 35 to 38ZR owners that the 38 is better in just about every way. One of the best v-hulls ever made.

Thank you very much!

I would have to agree - I probably would have passed on it originally, ha-ha but glad it ended up in my hands after everything was re done.
I sure am happy with the ride...and just the classic Donzi lines. I've wanted one since I was a kid and I've been fortunate enough to now own two of them in my 30 years.

wow, very beautiful ride. Love the new one as well.