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-   -   Baja 342 vs Donzi 33zx vs Formula 352 (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/general-q/268555-baja-342-vs-donzi-33zx-vs-formula-352-a.html)

mittens 01-10-2012 03:37 PM

Baja 342 vs Donzi 33zx vs Formula 352
 
Ok, I know the general consensus about the brands... thats not what I am looking for. I have all 3 brands and worked, driven, and partied on them all before.

which has the most head room in cabin?
Most room in the head?
Fastest? with same power?
How big are the beds?

and anything thing else you want to state one vs the other..

Keith Atlanta 01-10-2012 07:30 PM

The Donzi 33ZX has them beat power for power. The headroom is a little more too. I actually considered the 33ZX when i bought my Baja 342

verbi69 01-10-2012 07:43 PM

Are you considering one of these boats for your next ride??

When I was shopping for my new ride I actually looked at all three boats.

Going by memory as its been over a year now but here goes...

Cuddy height -goes to the 33 zx hands down for the most head room at close to 5'-10 or 5'-11, second, the 342 at 4'-11" and then the 352....cant remember even ballpark height.

Heads- they are all farely close in size comparison....but I think the 352 wins for overall bigger head, the 33 zx you have to kinda step up into the head, seems like there is a holding tank of sorts under the head floor which eliminates head room and makes it tight, the 342 is just overall tight if your six feet tall.

I think all three boats will run in the 70-72 mph range with 496's with the 352 being the slowest by a tick or two.
Add 500's and your running mid to upper 70's, again in same order.

The bed is a tricky one.....the 33 zx and 352 have the longest beds but have the least head room when lying down and if memory serves me correct the 33 zx seemed to be the narrowest of all three.
The 342 has the shortest bed but offers the most head room and shoulder width, for this I would say the win is the 342.

Again when I looked at these three boats I physically crawled around each and every one of them, but I could be wrong, memory is going..lol.

The 33 zx has next to nothing for storage in the boat, the cockpit offers a glove box big enough to fit your wallet, keys and cell phone. The storage under the seat is probably about 1/3 rd the size of the rear seat, y0u might fit a box of beer, or two. Difficult to store anything in the engine compartment. My opinion the 33 zx has the nicest cuddy, very nice cabinets and upholstery.

The 342 offers a couple of different cockpit configurations which makes soaking in the sun the most enjoyable.
The 1999-2000 model offers the smallest cockpit floor space because of the immense engine compartment storage, more than two feet in front of the engines.
The 2001 and up models reduced the engine compartment storage space and put the room in the cockpit giving the option of straight rear bench seat, L-shaped rear seating with refreshment center behing the port seat (ice maker and sink) or U-shaped seating.
There is plenty of storage in the 342.
The lows are the cabinet quality in the earlier models.

The 352 seems be have the biggest "hot rod" feel due to the long low deck. Long cuddy with plenty of room but lower head room.

I can't think of anything else at this time but ask away.

Baja_342 01-10-2012 08:28 PM

I believe the Donzi has a wider beam, right?

Keith Atlanta 01-10-2012 08:46 PM


Originally Posted by verbi69 (Post 3590575)

I think all three boats will run in the 70-72 mph range with 496's with the 352 being the slowest by a tick or two.
Add 500's and your running mid to upper 70's, again in same order.

The good thing about 33ZX's that I found was many had 525's. That is a nice option. Finding a 342 with 525's - Good Luck! I know of one guy in Lousiana... thats it. I think the 33 would be 75+MPH with 496's and really rolling with 525's I drove one with 502's and loved it but bought the Baja anyway - at the time, it was a lot cheaper.

mittens 01-10-2012 09:57 PM

While I would love to have a blue motor boat, it's not my preference.. I put about 100 hours a year on a boat and over night alot. Mostly cruse with other boats only 1-2 being go fast boats one 70 is its top end (donzi 29zx w/twin350's) And the other I can't hang with ever haha (fountain 24sc with a 502 and blower)..

I would much rather not have to spend lots on top end rebuilds every few years and find a 502 or 496 boat that will run for years with oil and impella changes...


Awesome info on the comparisons as well thanks alot.. My buddy's 29 zx you can't even sit up othe benches in the cabin so was not sure about the 33.. And the formulas don't come with air.... Guess my quest for a baja 342 is still on...

Imhave a line on a good 380 power quest but like the formula 382.. No anchor locker. Ha sucks its a deal breaker not mater how I try to talk my self into it.

verbi69 01-11-2012 06:57 AM


Originally Posted by Baja_342 (Post 3590618)
I believe the Donzi has a wider beam, right?

Yes, it is 9'-3" wide.

verbi69 01-11-2012 07:00 AM


Originally Posted by mittens (Post 3590706)
While I would love to have a blue motor boat, it's not my preference.. I put about 100 hours a year on a boat and over night alot. Mostly cruse with other boats only 1-2 being go fast boats one 70 is its top end (donzi 29zx w/twin350's) And the other I can't hang with ever haha (fountain 24sc with a 502 and blower)..

I would much rather not have to spend lots on top end rebuilds every few years and find a 502 or 496 boat that will run for years with oil and impella changes...


Awesome info on the comparisons as well thanks alot.. My buddy's 29 zx you can't even sit up othe benches in the cabin so was not sure about the 33.. And the formulas don't come with air.... Guess my quest for a baja 342 is still on...

Imhave a line on a good 380 power quest but like the formula 382.. No anchor locker. Ha sucks its a deal breaker not mater how I try to talk my self into it.

The 380 Powerquest is very nicely equiped as well.


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