Question for the Donzi experts and owners.....

Heading down to the Donzi factory this week for a tour and test drive of a 35ZR (my first time on a 35ZR). Any specifics I should be looking for in handling and performance?

Anyone in particular I should make a point to meet?

Thank you.-SDH

Gene Week's, Bill Tucker, Tom Kosto and everyone else at Donzi. The whole crew is awesome and we dont even own a Donzi. They have been nothing but nice and welcoming to me and Im only a kid. Good luck on your test drive. You will not be disappointed.

def. meet Gene Weeks if possible, he will most likely be the one with you on the test drive anyway, ask him about the 43 zr he delivered in West Palm....

Gene should go through the boat with you and answer every question that you have is one of the best when it comes to Performance. I have ran with him on many Poker runs and enjoy Genes company its really a great feeling when someone has the same passion of boating and knows the heart and soul of a boat.

Give us a update .
Wife and I going to the Miami show this weekend. Let her get in a 35 Donzi ZR. Would like to upgrade from a 29OL for more offshore activities. Love the Donzi 35ZR and the 35 Baja OL.
Looking to see the true cockpit room of the 35 ZR. I think its close to my 29OL. That will be OK. A tad bigger will be good.

I think it depends on the set up...Things I do...

1) Go Offshore (I don’t buy any boat until I run it in at least 3-4 foot chop)
2) Check for porpoise or chine walking...
3) How it flys (flat or nose up)
4) How it handles at WOT. (Do you have to drive it or is it stable?)
5) How it gets on plane


I have been in the 35 with 525EFI boat, but never in rough water. In my experience it is a little loose at WOT with that power. Also, do you feel safe with low freeboard? Other than that, it is a nice boat…

no high speed turns.

Yes those are the questions and items to watch for.
I can answer them on my Baja.
I plan on attending the Miami boat show with the Mrs. I want her to scope out the 35ZR. I love the looks nad styling but ultimately the handling and ride will decide.

I was in some rough water a few weeks back. Sloppy 4-5 seas. My 29 was a bear to handle. I'm wondering ifl the 35 will be that much better. Do the stepped... more flat bottom land harder than the true deep v? Just some items I am inquiring about?

Why not?

Thank you all for your thoughts.

Went down to the Donzi factory last week for a tour and test drive, what a great experience. The staff could not have been nicer or more helpful. Gene Weeks took us out for the test drive and walked us through the finer points on how the boat handled, including for those who say watch the turns a high speed, a high speed turn where the boat tracked flawlessly.

We were very impressed with the performance of the 35ZR from it’s speed to the way it took waves. Dedication and pride in the boats they produce was evident in the Donzi staff where you could see boats being built to exacting standards and quality control. We even spent an hour with Donzi designer and stylist Jerry McCullough discussing paint jobs and colors. Their ability to customize equipment, interior colors and paint was beyond what several other builders could offer in comparative products.

By the end I was sold and placed my order for a new 35ZR.