Considering Donzi 26ZX's 1999 and up. Seems few are for sale and the ones that are can be as much as a twin 350 28ZX. Before you say get a 28, we are constrained by a grandfathered in dock and cannot extend our slip to accommodate a bigger lift so we need our next boat to be around 5000lbs. Any idea why the 26's advertised currently are asking so much? These are 1999 and 2000 model year boats we are seeing for sale.

In my opinion what you are seeing is limited supply, now 10 years ago the when markets started to go south there was a lot more of them available (along with other options as people disposed of toys). I was looking at that time and there much more supply and they were 10 yrs newer yet similarly priced to today. Secondly there has not been a lot of sport boats with I/O's produces (especially singles) over the last decade. I don't know the official Donzi production number but I bet there were more 28zx's produced overall. The deal wit the 26zx is it's 16 inches shorter but performs just as well as the 28 with twins and much easier to work on and generally less maintenance. Also the 26 responds well to power up grades and cheaper to do than twin SBCs . I have tied up to a 28 at a run and it's hard to tell the difference beside the 28 sitting lower in the aft end.

They likely cost just as much as a 28 because they are a better fit for a typical budget boater's budget. It's light enough to pull comfortably with a 1/2 ton truck. Single engine is easier to work on and cheaper to maintain. Yet the cabin is big enough to use and stock power will still get it close enough to 70mph. The length is about max for watersports. For the budget boater it checks off most the list. Lot's of 28's for sale out there, not many 26's, supply and demand. The ideal budget boat is going to be in higher demand and eventually get's the price up there with a 28.

Might consider other options such as 25 Active thunder or perhaps an east coast builder. Eliminator, Hallet, Howard and a few other's have great choices in that size range.

^^^^^ This is exactly the reason I wanted one it fits best with how we use it. Twins are sweet but not worth the headache for how we use the boat on local lakes.

Twins get you home when one goes bad

^^^ so do friends with boats and a tow rope, they take payment in booze usually

I agree twins are sweet, but it's going to be a bigger jump for me to justify not a 28zx and more like a 38zr if that ever happens

I see your in Fort Worth. Plan on selling your 26 anytime soon? Can you tell me how tall your 26ZX is on the trailer. Think it could fit under a standard height garage (6ft 10in)? Can you do water sports on your 26ZX like tubeing or skiing? Does it handle well at slower speeds?