Crusier war Donzi, Formula, Fountain ??
 

I am now concidering a express crusier I have narrowed it down to 3. Each have there plusses and minuses. I have seen the Formula and the Donzi. I spent a little time on the Fountain last year but was not concidering these typs of boats at the time. I will be on one soon.

basic specs:

Donzi 39ZSC- 12'2 beam x 39' long - 55MPH 16.800lbs
Formula 400SS 11' beam x 40' long - 55MPH 15,500lbs
Fountain 38EC 10'6 beam x 37'11 - 65Mph 13,500lbs

Vote for your choice

http://www.raymondbaldwin.com/donzi.jpg
http://www.raymondbaldwin.com/formula.jpg
http://www.raymondbaldwin.com/fountain.jpg

I have been on all three, but not on water. Donzi hands down. Those speeds for the Donzi are for twin 496HOs, if I remember right. I know you can get one built with 500EFIs, and I bet you can get 525EFIs.

Offshore-Performance.com has a VERY NICE blue 39ZSC, on the lot I am sure they would be happy to sell you. I am pretty sure it has 496s.

The Donzi looks nice and all, but there is just something about that Formula...:)

I have a 40' Boat well and hoist, Anything much bigger wont fit. The 48 is an awesome boat thought 22,000 and 65 mph!

You need to put a 43 Fountain to actually compare the same size boats.... :D :D

Does the Donzi have more features than the Formula? I'm suprised.

Whats the price tags on all three?

The nicest "Cruisers" on Lake Travis are Formula.

What about SeaRay?

List is $319K on the Donzi; new.

Damn Ray, when aren't you in the market for another boat?

The Donzi is nice, to be sure, but I don't think there is a Donzi dealership in Michigan. This would concern me, if only for warranty work. I've always loved the Formula, but there are a few on the lake; how important is it to be 'unique'?

As for the beak boat, their styling just doesn't do it for me. I can respect the speed and reputation, but the dune buggy wheel, the wrong-side throttles, the beak, the overall styling just doesn't work for me. Plus I don't look good in gold chains and black turtlenecks. In August.

Toss up between the Donzi and the Formula. Formula will probably have better resale, at least in the Great Lakes area. Both are big boats, but a foot of beam makes for a lot of additional space. Both will run as fast as the wife will let you ;) Can't go wrong either way...

been there and have done that. Now back to real powerboating. Express cruisers are very nice, but slow.
All of the comforts of home and plenty of room.
The Donzi's are nice but overpriced in that market segment.
The Fountain's are too plentiful on the market, buy used and save some cash. Impressive speed though.
Go with the Formula. 5 year transferable warranty, and outstanding service. And yes, they do call you back. Carrie Davis, the service manager at the factory is top notch.
My vote is Formula.

Why not just take it to the next level!!!!!!!



http://www.carveryachts.com/models/ACFbfe7oc.jpg

DON'T DO IT !!!!!!!
 

Man .... I tried the Sport cruiser thing a couple years ago thinking it would be good with the kids and all !?!?!

You will be amazed at the amount of cleaning and upkeep needed on these things compared to a "sportboat" .... It seems that by the time you finish her up ... the end you started at is getting dirty already!!! (and I'm not the most picky guy ... if you know what I mean) And don't believe those speeds they're pushin in the reports and magazines !!!!

40 mph gets a bit tedious to say the least :(

"There's where we're headed over there ... Yeah , I've been looking at it for an hour !!!!!"

That said .... I'd vote Formula from that list !!!!

or keep you current rig and add this to the fleet ...

I like the Donzi the best for appearance and sportiness but the "aft " cabin has only room for one. The formula is more family oriented for sure. I like the high sides and the wider beam of the Donzi but it has less storage compared to the Formula. I think the formula has smoother lines and the new anchor setup is much better than the traditional over the top setup.

I will still have a go-fast type boat too but for trips the cruiser would be better. My ultimate wet dream would be one of these cruisers and a Donzi 38ZR for the go-fast. But they are big $$$$$ too.

We went on a 40 SS at the boat show. I told Deb we'd get one of those when we get old.:p

There is an article on them in this month's PRA mag. I also read a report on the 40 SS with Whipples. I can't remember the exact speeds, but it was pretty good.

I'm on my third Formula, and each one has made me happy.

The 40ss is just to good looking to even think about the others !!!:D

Formula, nuff said....

Formula = First Class!!!

http://www.formulaboats.com/images/m...ry/01-Main.jpg

http://www.formulaboats.com/images/m...Main-Cabin.jpg

Been on the 37 and the 40 Formulas. Saweet. Fast, comfortable, stylish. Been on the Fountain Sc's and, um, well I like the Formula. The Donzi looks great too.

Anybody have any feedback on life span of the bravo's on these bigger boats ????

JM

I think they use #3 drives??? Not sure.

They are using the 3X drive now. We have had very few problems,even with the 500efi's. The 3X is a n improvement over the std 3

Thats Bravo3 ...... right ??????

Thats is what I seen them with ( Bravo 3) I did not know about the 3X. Is that the X or XR upper?

I did a speed calc on the Donzi with 700 Hp engines = 70MPH. This is based on the 55mph published speed.

Formula for sure. If you go new you can get 0% financing and 5year warranty too :cool:

No doubt 70 would be *****en. I don't know how well you could put blowers in there though. The engine room is pretty big, but I am not sure about how tall. They would have to be Whipples.

There are a couple of CBPBA.com guys that have 45' Excaliburs that run in the 50s with 496HOs. They are VERY VERY nice boats.

I'll try to find the article I read on the Whippled 40 SS.

Debbie on the 40 SS at the Miami show.

Anyone want a Donzi 39ZSC?

I will give a SMOKIN deal if someone wants to step up to the plate. Lace Club girls are optional :D :D :D

Donzi has the best engine compartment. Talk about easy access.

DaveP, How smoken a deal....E-mail me

Tell me what power and what options you want and I will give you a quote:

I would recommend T-496HO's for power. 500's & 525's are cool, but cost an additional $30-45k. You can buy 2 spare 496's for that kind of money. Also - the teak insert is $12k option. I would recommend going for the snap in carpet with the fiberglass sole.

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
Air Conditioning - 12,000 BTU w/Heat - Cockpit
Bow Thruster
Cockpit Enclosure - w/Side & Aft
Windshield Connector
Chain, Rope, & Stainless Anchor
Compass - Digital
Docking Lights – Bow
Exhaust - Quick & Quiet II w/Mufflers (non-switchable)
Exhaust - Quick & Quiet Plus w/Mufflers (switchable)
Gray Water System
Icemaker in Cockpit
Remote Control Spotlight
Teak Cockpit Sole
TNT Hydraulics Platform
Wall Vacuum

Let me know.

have you considered a sunseeker???

I guess a used 40 Magnum is out of the question...
but man... that's class.

Rode on the 400SS Formula in Miami, and it was awesome. That one had 500's and Bravo 3x's - we saw 59+ on GPS with 7 on board and half-full tanks. Fit, finish, support and resale speak for themselves. The lighter color interior in Cuda's picture is the way to go. Formula guys said that the Wippled boat eats drives like a kid goes through candy. It will run faster, but you have to be very, very careful on starts and in bumpy water. I did see a 400SS on TraderOnline.com with 525's, so it looks like you can send the price out of sight if you want. Personally, I'm waiting for twin 440 Yanmars to become an option...

If you want something sportier, I'd look at a 44 Magnum or 48 Sunseeker...

Dockrocker - "Dune buggy steering wheel" - LMAO :p

Re: Crusier war Donzi, Formula, Fountain ??
 

I have ridden in a few of those formulas and was not impressed with how they rode...

Re: Crusier war Donzi, Formula, Fountain ??
 

Don't know anything about the Donzi- don't remember even seeing one in person

The 40SS vs 38 Fountain would be better compared as 37SS vs 38 Fountain due to beak issue.
I got a very luke warm response in the Fountain forum (on OSO) regarding their cruiser line. The 48 EC is awesome and from some angles I liked the 38 but most pics I have seen have the 38 on a trailer and it looks too short and tall.

The Formula's are the best of both worlds. I would be afraid of terrible resale on the other two (remember the 65 Fountain!!). I would think the express cruiser business is real slow right now and being there are plenty of new 05's out the there now it would be time to play Lets Make a Deal!

Re: Crusier war Donzi, Formula, Fountain ??
 

Obviously top speed is not anyones main concern, but the 400ss will run an honest 62 with 525efis, we sold one last year with them. If you get the optional hardtop you may not see those speeds but i think it is ugly anyway. We are both a Donzi and Formula dealer and i would take the Formula hands down. It has already been mentioned the resale will be better, and well you can touch the factory and dealer support. Couple that with the awesome financing and the choice is easy. Ray, i know you like your boats to be top knotch as i had a hand it putting your fountain together. If you are ready for the best there is, then get the Formula. I also sent you a PM. - Andrew

Re: Crusier war Donzi, Formula, Fountain ??
 

I was in the same predicament as you were right before I went to the Miami show. I like the wider beam of these cruisers, but wasn't ready to sacrifice top end. The other factor was I wanted diesels and possibly surface drives, which I know the 41 Donzi offers them. I did like this boat. Fuel burn is superior, write up was excellent, but as all diesels top end sucked. I was not impressed with the Fountain quality, AT ALL ON THE CRUISERS, but top end was excellent. There were plus's and minus's on both Formula and Donzi. I slightly preferred the Formula, but wish both these co.'s would put more powerful diesels in with stout Arnesons.

Another alternative:

I ended up going with another Nortech 4300, I was extremely happy with my first gas powered version. This time around I elected for some twin 480hp Yanmars, ASD in line 8's and some 6 blades. I drove one and liked the concept. This 4300 that I drove even had bow thrusters, not particularly needed, but I opted for the same, kinda cruiserish :D . I love the 9' beam and superior ride, a cross between a cruiser and go-fast. The headroom is 6'5" at bottom of inside cabin and 6' at fridge/micro area. More than enough for our overnighting, beside the kids sleep on the beach in a tent, while we use the generator. I wish you good luck. Jeff

Re: Crusier war Donzi, Formula, Fountain ??
 

Has anyone noticed this thread is 3 years old? :drink: Maybe he's bought by now :p