Boat shopping after action report #1
 

And so the shopping begins! The Admiral and I took a day-and-a-half trip cross-state to look at candidate #1, a 1999 Donzi 28ZX. We like this boat because it’s a bit unusual (don’t see your boat coming and going), is towable with our current vehicle, and the small blocks/Bravo combination should be pretty bulletproof. The boat is being brokered by a marina and was described to me as being as lift-kept, clean, and well-cared for.

Details:

• 1999 Donzi 28ZX
• Twin 350 Mags, approx 240 hrs
• Silent Choice
• Latham external steering
• K-Planes
• Mechanical drive and trim indicators

The spec sheet from the brokerage had some details on equipment (see above) and gave the following ratings:

RATING: 1-10

• Hull: 9
• Engines: 9
• Canvas: 9
• Upholstery: 9
• Interior: 9

The boat sits on a brand new Manning aluminum trailer. It is a two-owner boat.

So, after a leisurely 3 hours of watching our Durango suck fuel (that thing got a Hemi? Yep, I’ve got the gas bill to prove it!), we arrived at the marina. The boat was in heated storage in their service area.

First impression – the boat is dirty. There is a visible scum line on the transom (lift-kept??), the deck is filthy (the boat is listed as having two covers, mooring and cockpit, but I only saw a cockpit cover), the cockpit upholstery is dirty as well. Now, I’m of two minds on this one; on the one hand, the marina is closed the week between Christmas and New Years, and they came up just to show us the boat. Boats get dirty, it's a fact of life. OTOH, you’ve got a potential client that is driving over 200 miles one-way to see this thing, doesn’t that warrant taking 20 minutes to hose it off with some soap and water?

Anyway, the hull and deck look good. Few more dings and scrapes than I had expected, but it is 5 years old and there is nothing serious that I didn’t already know about. Gel had a nice shine to it, even on the deck. Graphics looked good. Hullsides are straight, rubrail is straight, no caulk oozing out, etc.

Under the hatch it looked good as well. Nice red diamond plate on both gunwales and on the back of the bench. Rigging was OK, not great but not bad either. No signs of oil leaks or any of that sort of business. Gotta love small blocks, there was room for me to put two fists between the motors! :)

On to the cockpit. Carpet looks good. Upholstery was noticeably yellowed, both the bolsters, bench, and sunpad. “ZX” stitching on the bolsters was noticeably faded. And everything was dirty, not sure how much a good scrubbing would help.

There were no tears or rips that I could find. Both bolsters worked (manual models). None of the gauges were fogged, but one of the tracks on the mechanical drive/tab indicators looked like it was out of place relative to the others - broken? Windshield has a brace in the middle, it was missing one of the eight or so bolt/nut combos that held it together. Cover for the electrical panel was off-kilter, looked like a hinge was loose/broken.

Helm has Gaffrig gauges, the speedo and tachs were not mounted straight, not sure if it came from the factory this way. Other than the stock (?) Clarion stereo in the cabin, the boat has *no* electronics. No VHF, no GPS, not even a depthfinder.

Speaking of the cabin, it is bare-bones. No fridge, no sink, not even a cooler. The head is not plumbed for a pump out, so it would have to be hauled out of the boat every time it needs to be emptied. Again, the cabin was dirty (lots of spiderwebs in the hatch screen, etc.)

While I was buried under the hatch, the Admiral flipped the cushions over and found mold under nearly every one. It also looked like mold was coming through the seams on the headliner. Essentially, everything from the centerline over to the starboard side was moldy. Obviously, water had gotten in there and sat for a while under the cushions. And I’m wondering what is going on under the headliner (maybe nothing, maybe something).

Overall, I thought it was a decent boat that probably hadn’t seen regular use or care; I’d give it a 7 on a 1-10, excluding the mess in the cabin. From what I understand, it was kept at a vacation house, so probably didn’t get the upkeep that a boat sitting in your driveway might get. And it is a base model boat, there are no options that I could see except the Latham steering and the drive/tab indicators.

Based on my research (selling prices, not asking prices), the price I had discussed with the broker was $5-7K more than the average. This was before I saw the boat. Now I’d be more inclined to swing the other way. A good day’s worth of elbow grease might square away a lot of the issues I saw, but the lack of amenities/options and the mold under the cushions and possibly under the headliner really give pause on this one. What do you guys think? Continue negotiations or look for another fish in the sea?

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Couple of design thoughts on this boat. It is really more of a sit down layout. I could not stand in the bolster and reach the wheel, and at 5'9", I'm no Nort. ;) Sitting, however, was very comfortable.

The boat has an anchor locker, but it is a screwy design. There is no gasket around the hatch, and there is about a 3" gap between the top of the anchor locker and the deck. You can see the cabin headliner from inside the anchor locker. And there is no way to secure an anchor, so it just bounces around while your underway, the boat we looked at had a few good gouges inside the locker. I think an anchor locker is a great idea, but Donzi's execution was pretty half-assed, if you ask me.

Anyway, I snapped some pics while we were out there.

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

More...

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Below...

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Center cushion and starboard cushion

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You need a 38 TG :cool:. :D

LS JR.

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

I would shoot for the 3-6k below average, bravo last a long time behind 350

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

Did Ed tell you what the owner is supposedly having built to replace that boat? I saw it sitting in their showroom back on the 4th of July.

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Man DR, you should think abouta career as a SAMS Marine surveyor!! LOL :D :D

Would the gap in the 'achor locker' allowing you to see the headliner, that you describe, be a reason for the mold etc coming through inside cabin??? Maybe an area vulnerable to getting wet??

IMO you should move on ... unless a deal you can't possibly refuse ... too many boats and deals out there in this buyers market to settle for anything less than a 'great' deal on a boat you're going to be happy with for a long ti((errrr uhhh)) well for a little while anyway hehehe ;)

L8R chris

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

I'd pass. Its gotta be a 9+ for me to consider it.

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That's one theory I have. I also think it's possible that the boat was loaded on the lift a bit sideways, allowing some water to pool on the starboard side; the port side cushions are completely clean. Kind of weird.

I have a feeling that the guy will just sit on it. From what I understand, he is having one of the first Chiefs built as a replacement, big power and #6 drives. I'm guessing that money is not an issue.

For my comfort level, I'd have to replace all the cabin cushions and pull out that headliner, just to be sure. Once that mold and mildew takes hold, it is a cast iron ***** to get rid of it permanently.

More boats on the list, so be on the lookout for more Boat Shopping AARs to come! :D

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

From a 28' sbc to first production xx' Chief with big hp and 6's :eek: :eek: Big jump!


Could you come and give me a review of my new boat LOL ((I coulda prollly saved a few thou!! :D :p ))

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

The mold is the scary part to me, everything else you mentioned should clean up pretty well. Make him a very low offer, let him think about it while you go look at more boats, he might accept or after looking at more boats you might think it's worth more and raise your offer. The worst he can say is no if you make him a low offer. It is a buyers market right now so take your time, when the right boat comes along you will know it.

Just my $.02

Caleb

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

I'd be concerned about the mold also. It can be a bit(h to get rid of. I run a small fan in my cabin just to keep air circulating so not to have to deal with that particular issue.

I'd lowball him bigtime, expect him to say no, and keep looking.....

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

My freind had one of those. I am not trying to discourage you but, he couldn't wait to get rid of it. Although it held together well and he bought another Donzi (33),the boat rode like a buckboard. It got so his wife wouldn't ride in it. Just my .02. Drive the boat in some slop with the admiral aboard before you buy. As far as mold, it always comes back if it is under the headliner you can't clean it all unless you take the headliner down and replace the foam underneath. Good luck.

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

how about a gorgeous 1998 29' scarab with twin small blocks ?

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

Here's my .02....

1. If you REALLY want THAT boat, and if money is NO object for the seller, make a low bid. If he has $$ he may not be worried about taking the loss.

2. I see enough of those boats around that you can find another in perfect condition. You may pay more but you will probably not regret it.

3. I don't know if you have towing/storage concerns, but if you want twins, why not get a bigger boat? There are a lot of 27-30' single engine boats that will run circles around that boat without crazy power.

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

the reason i bought twins was for piece of mind

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

I'm pretty sure we're going to take a pass on this boat for a number of reasons, most of which you guys have already covered. Sometimes it's nice to have the board as a reality check.

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

what about the Apache you were considering.
did you ever go look at it?

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

Never did take a look. I received a fair amount of feedback on the selling dealership, none of it good, so I kind of put it on the back burner. Might try to take a look next time we head over to the west side of Michigan (there are at least 2 other boats over there that we like).

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

Hey Dock...clear out your PMs.

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Whoops! Fixed....

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

Welcome to the wonderful world of wasting $$$ to look at boats that are in "Perfect Condition" :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Try to find some way to enjoy it and take just a little bit of advice from someone who has been through it.....If there is any doubt, WHATSOEVER, move on!!!!! :drink: :drink:

The perfect boat for you is out there....and you will know it it as soon as you see it!!!! Settle for no less.


Craig

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

I don't consider it wasted money, we got a little mini-vacation out of it. :)

We're still going through the older/bigger vs newer/smaller debate. I go back and forth on this one.

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

I have no problem with the older bigger side of it. I accept that there is always going to be somebody faster than me out there. So I might as well have something big enough that I can really enjoy full use of it. Next boat will be in the 30 -35 foot range and I have no problem if its dated in the 80's.

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

Hmmmm.....:)

older....Bigger.....Why not? :evilb:

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Very obvious that you know how to take care of a boat. Looks mint from here.

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Thank you. It must be seen to believe. I would post somemore pics but that isn't what this thread is about. If dock wants somemore pics I can e-mail him them.

LS JR.

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

Looks like a nice boat :cool:

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

LS / LSjr: i just love that boat, eash time i see it on a post. i just can't beleive it has not sold yet. it will make someone a great ride!!

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

DR, Move on.

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I know, I know :(. Makes us a great ride too! :drink:

LS JR.

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

I'd make a low offer if its the type of boat your looking for, might be worth it. When we were shopping this fall the first boat we looked at was about the same type of deal. I made a offer of about 40% less then asking price. Low and behold 3 weeks later the seller accepted the offer. I had the boat looked at by some pro's and bought it. With the savings I had the interior redone the way we wanted it, new drive, and a few Hp parts. :drink:
Good luck on your ne purchase!!!

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

DR, Walk away. Plenty of them out there. If you are looking for small blocks with bravos Bern's 29 scarab is clean. A buddy has one and runs and rides good!

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

Mike,
Look at the drive reservoirs, they are empty. Are the drives empty also ?

ed

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

if you are looking for donzi's with small blocks they are a dime a dozen here at SML call shoreline marine,or go to links.

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

Mike I know of an older 36 Sonic thats a 10...period.... the guy is a Machanical, supervisor for Alticor (Amway) and its mint. Its a 1990 with 454 mags the colors date it but you can see what a couple grand worth of paint did for mine. Its not advertised yet but will be in the spring......
Don

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

There are alot of perspectives out there so here is mine. Money
Many of us have a certain number that they really can't go beyond. Knowing that, what compromise are you willing to take? Some of us can do mechanical work or maybe even structural work. How many of us have bought a boat based on what it "could" be- (vision), only to work on it more that using it. That's ok if you expect it. The real thing with toys is that when you want to use it, you need it now. I love working on my boat when I want to. I hate working on it when I have to.
I agree with your mini-vacations. I flew down to Fla. a couple of times just to look a boats knowing that they needed work. Bringing back up here put a dent in my budget, so in Fla. they stayed. I ended up finding one that I am very happy with that was just "A few Hours Away". There are a bunch of deals out there, and I personally love dirty boats. It shows that the owner has moved on, and my offer always reflects that. You aren't the only one that thinks a dirty boat is a lemon.

Re: Boat shopping after action report #1
 

I dont think that mold is a big issue .. There are a couple brands of mold away stuff out there that work great , star brite was one of em ..spray it on wipe it off !
Never leave the cabin shut up tight for too long ..Temp and humidity changes create condensation in the cabin and on surfaces ..like a toilet tank will sweat in the summer .. I always leave my cabin door open when I put the cover on .. They also make some solar powered vents but they look stupid .. Twin small blocks is a nice reliable package ..My neigbor has a freind sellng a 28zx and he thrashes it pretty hard ..If I see him ill ask him how he likes the boat etc ..Its a good looking rig , hes tried to sell it to me but I want a 30 somethin :D :D