Donzi 38 ZR vs. Cigarette Gladiator
 

It's too quiet around here (and I'm not crazy enough to start an A***** thread :D )

2 original Aronow companies. Both building sit-down hot-rod race/poker run boats. Which do you choose, with say 525's, ITS, staggered or side-by-side? I know we've got members with seat time in each, so let's hear the opinions.

Seems to me a year or two ago there was a lot of noise about the Cig, then the last year was mostly Donzi. Now there are a number of new Gladiators running around, so....

Now if my lottery numbers come in tonight, I can put this thread to good use! :D

well...let's just say

but if I win...38tg..525's

if rough h2o is a concern then go bigger

Which is better in rougher water? I am debating between these 2 and like the Cig a bit more, (im not a fan of canopies) but think the ZR might be better in rough water (6-8). also what speeds can each do with 525's? or 575's?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2472464722
this one looks really interesting.

both look awesome though, id love either.

I'd have to go Donzi baby! Of course, you wouldn't have to force me into a Gladiator either.:)

I forget which race I was watching, if it was Orange Beach or Ft Lauderdale, but that ZR rode better than any boat I thought.

Yes,Fred,it's ready:),time for a new home for my demo. Though I can't comment on the Gladiator since I haven't run one,I've run the Donzi quite a bit in some unbelievable conditions and I have personally never run a boat so forgiving and easy handling. Anyone considering something like this sould get a test ride in a 38ZR,find some really bad water, and make up their own mind. Mine is available for serious prospects for a demo :)

Where is Audacity? We need him to spice up this thread.:)

Cigarette
If for no other reason - customer service!! Donzi doesn't have any.
Stay tuned for OSO member Nauti-Props' run around with Donzi after buying his LOADED 38ZX. (which is at Donzi right now)

I haven't had the chance to compare both from a ride perspective to give a full assesment. From a looks perspective I have compared both and I would have to go with the Gladiator. Canopies are for Skaters ;) :D

BAD BOYS II
Nuff said.
:D

The extreme "cab forward" design have anything to do with the Donzi spinning out quiet often??

Seems the center of gravity is too far forward not to mention that cab forward is not the most attractive layout for boats. OK for a Lambo of Ford GT though.:D

Wow, that's a pretty loaded statement; care to provide some details on 38ZR's spinning out "quite often"? I can only think of one incident in a race 38ZR and the root cause looked to be a failure on one of the drives. That was OSO member audacity's boat.

I'd certainly like to know more about these "quite often" spinouts!

dockrocker, Drive Failure? Come on! We all saw the Skeg Monster! You must have been looking the other way. :D :D :D

Lets expand this a bit to include the 38' Skater.

Let's not. All bets are off once you mix in the Skater. I think it's a 39 though isn't it?

Went on a test ride in the Donzi last year at the Miami Boat Show.Most impressive boat I have ever been in.The water was rough also .Not been in the Cig. but they sure look nice.

The Skater can't be considered ... it's a prototype and the others are production. ;)

Oh man, just wait till Joey gets here!

I'll wait for Reggies sit down and take that :p

Reggie's next sit down... :)

:D :D

Seriously though, have you heard anything about a sit down from Fountain? That would be pretty cool!

Find some real snotty water, test drive both and your answer will be Donzi.

J Mitch

I don't know what the current fascination with sit down seats is. To me, they are a step back. Remember that's all there was before the advent of stand up bolsters. I know my legs make a much better shock absorber than two inches of foam.

Cuda I agree.

Mirageman just rumors is all I know.

The 39 Skater is a PRODUCTION boat. Was just at the plant. Several in various states of finish. In pleasure, poker run, and race configurations. But it is 39 feet long, so it's out.

All things being equal, and if I had a fist full of some one else's money, I'd be taking a trip to Floriduh to pick up my new Cigarette. Thank you very much!!!

all said and done...even though I would go for a Cig I must admit that I appreciate seeing Donzi do well and keep the "clasics" alive...the Sweet 16 with a stroker on a nice day with the sun shining..a gentle breeze..and a few rollers here and there would be a wonderful experience...Aronow thought of it all..

Both are very nice and both have characteristics that need to be managed properly if you want to take them around a race course competitively and at speed.

They Both are aggressively stepped and produce huge top speeds for V hulls with standard power (500's, 525's), so need I say more.......

They are both fun as hell to drive and look awesome, but both have had issues, Donzi (In Daytona/Fisher, In Marathon/Audacity) and one I know of for the Cigarette (2002 Virgin boat rolled in the first race of the GLSCS in lake St. Clair).

But hey, non-boater don't come up to you on the docks and say, "hey is that a Donzi type boat" So I'll have to say Cigarette, just for that reason. Makes it easier to just say "Yes" and get back to boating!!!!!!! LOL

Thers no right answer, only personal taste! But just looking at recient events, the Donzi took F2 in APBA. With a Canadain team:D , and a women driver! Not that theres anything wrong with that:p .

Had a chance to talk with the winning team at the Miami boat show this winter, and they were telling us that they have some sligt modifications to the hull for next season. It should be interesting to watch.

I'll just say this because I love Brian and Wilma (The 2003 F2 APBA "National" Champs), a women driver, driver of the year by the way, does not make a difference, it is a team sport, and she is very good, they both are, especially together. They did for sure sport the very best super rough water set up in 2003, but in typical racing conditions under 6ft, there boat was slower then our Formula with 525's, and our Gladiator with 500's is still faster then our Formula............Just a note..........

She is a very nice lady. Hell, she's Canadain!:D

My one hold back from either if these is the lack of a cabin. Although ive never spent a night in the cabin of my 28, its till good for storage and getting out of the sun. Anyone have any pics of the skater or know where i can get them? also anyone know anything about the new eliminator daytona? sit down with canopies and a full cabin. much slower then the donzi and cig though, but with the right power can get up over 100. This one caught my eye today.
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/5/0/50393850.htm

Imeant eliminator eagle, their 38 v, not the cat

Donzi all the way, smoothest 100+ ride I ever took, but then Doug was driving. Been in both.

seats on the Cig look good but I agree that we were there years back before Aronow developed the 'bolster"...he must have developed "piles" from riding those waves in seats!

:D

I'll tell you right now that donzi ZR is SWEEET! Rides like a freakin Cadillac. And that's coming from someone who LOVES Cig's. And the interior on the ZR is nicer than the Gladiator. Both are awesome.

I am a die hard Cig lover and former Donzi owner. This would be a tough call for someone in the market for a sit down hot-rod and you really couldn't go wrong with either. The best part, aside from their awesome build quality and performance, is that you can say "I own a Cigarette/Donzi" and every Joe Blow knows what you got. :D :p :D

I own a Kryptonite. Oh, they are a small custom builder out on Long Isl...... see what I mean.;)

Re: Donzi 38 ZR vs. Cigarette Gladiator
 

:evilb:

Re: Donzi 38 ZR vs. Cigarette Gladiator
 

Is a production boat ???? Where is one ... and don't tell me about that Baja they released :eek:

G