I have seen a couple of 24ft I/O pantera's, this the type of family boat I need. I just sold my classic whhich ran very well in the rough water top speed was 74 with a 502MPI. My question is is the pantera a better handling and faster running boat aslo how is the cuddy? Is their any difference between the older and newer boats. I have had a 22ZX but the boat was a tug boat, is the 24 pantera the same as the ZX and how does it compare between the three boats.

I have been in a Donzi Classic, not a 22ZX. The 24 Pantera is an unbeleivable boat for its size. It can run in rough water and not beat you up and run with much larger boats. Its a quick boat due to the narrow beam. The cuddy is a low, but clean and finished.

Im sure the 22ZX has more creature comforts, but there is no way its built as strong or as well as the 24 Pantera. Just depends on what you are after.

There's a 22 classic here with a blackmax on it that tells everyone he's the fastest boat around but he only ever tries to race me at the end of the day when the water turns to glass . Twice now I've run him and he drops off when he hits 79-80 . Both time he shuts down and looks at his gauges like something is wrong but unless he has a gauge that says ( your a$s just got beat ) he's not gonna figure it out . but that's all I know .

I've owned both a Donzi Classic and Pantera 24. They are really very similar sized boats within a foot of each other in length and the same beam. The Pantera is a deeper boat however. The Pantera will be a little slower than the Classic due to the weight difference. The ZX is a much bigger boat than both.

I can tell you the Classic I owned had superior gel coat work but wasn't built nearly as strong as my Pantera. I had a Blackhawk edition so I really can't compare the ride, but I can say in water that had good rhythm my Donzi could smash through some good chop. Where the Pantera shines is when the water gets bigger and you are throttling the boat and getting air. I don't like beating on my boat but the handful of times I was in water like that I was blown away and how the boat handled that kind of water.

The Pantera is also set up more for "business" with bolster seats and bolted in rear seat. The pedestal seats and snap in rear seat on my classic drove me nuts!

IMO neither the Classic or the 24 Pantera are "family boats".

I've had mine for going on 4 years and it's been a family boat for us. We have an SE model, so the cabin is a bit more plush than the Sport. We cruise at 45 mph in damn near any type of water (within reason) For a 24' boat you won't fins a better rough water ride.

Here's some pics...send me a note if you have any questions...

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/c...mer99/Pantera/

Ziemer, I was thinking more along the lines of the cockpit size. If you have kids going from a ZX to a Pantera is a big difference in cockpit size. The ZX is def more "family friendly" in that area.

I agree on the cuddy. And speaking of the cuddy. Did you get my last PM about more pics of your cuddy?

I did get your message...need to get in the boat and snap some pics for ya. Will be in it this week though as I need to buy some new batteries.

Thanks!