Hi All,

would like your opinions of a 1998 Donzi 28 ZX that I am thinking of buying. It has twin 350 mags with 600-640 hours on the engines (previous inspection showed everything is working and serviced). Is this a lot of hours on 350 mags? Also, the hull has been bottom painted (antifouling paint).... will this reduce top end speed and would it be a deal breaker for most?

Please add any comments you might have regarding handling or build quality as well. looking for as much info as I can get on this boat

Thanks

that is a lot of hours however it would be more telling to scan the computers and see what rpms they spent the most time at. If it was mostly cruising and idling those motors might go on to a thousand hours. On the other hand make sure you know the price to swap in a couple of new GM crate motors marinized and price it accordingly.

Nothing for small blocks if they where taken care of. They are the same motors installed in every cruiser...

Bone stock sbc's in a boat will go forever!! When I had the original stock twin 350 mags in my boat I had to make a lock before it closed and held them WFO for 30 min solid no letting up just under 5000 rpm. They had over 600 hrs on them at the time

Bottom Paint = deal breaker to me on a performance boat unless its priced low enough to cover the cost of removal.

I've owned boats with anti-foul and it is a necessary evil if you keep the boat in the water. Clean recent anti foul can knock off 3-4 mph very easily. Disappointing to see it on a performance boat.

I bought a brand new 26 Scarab (Aussie Scarab) many years ago, it ran around 63 consistently until I painted the bottom, never saw 60 again. It was berthed in the water and I had no choice but it always p***** me off.

Get a price to clean off all the anti foul and polish up the hull AND the drives, because they will painted too. Check the condition of the drives very carefully, it's spent time in the water so check for corrosion and also the bellows may be in poor condition due to the combination of anti-foul overspray and wear and tear.

Don't think Donzi have ever built a bad boat and the 28 is no exception but it's not a young boat anymore, the words 'comprehensive survey' spring to mind!

Good luck.

RR

+1

Also, that might be a reasonable amount of hours on a sbc, but if it was me personally with that amount of hours and the bottom paint I'd keep looking.