Donzi Sportfish Z-65 - "Miss Judie"

Hi Fish!

I'm honored to have the Donzi 65' Hull #1 on the site! It looks brand new!

Many boaters are unaware that Donzi built the 65'. Is it built in the same facility as the remainder of the Donzi sport boat/center console line? Can you elaborate on your experience owning the boat? What additions or changes would you make?

Looking for forward to your input and thanks again for sharing pictures of your Donzi!

Carl

Great info!! It really fills in the blanks on the history of the '65.

I had a couple of Donzi's as a kid (16' sport outboard and an 18' 2+3 w/ Holman-Moody drive) back in the 70's. Loved my Donzi's. Graduated to 21' hulls designed by George Linder shortly thereafter (Shadow's) and started racing offshore in the early 80's. Later, I purchased and restored another Don Aronow original... a 28' Magnum. That was a hell of a project. Completely re-wired the entire instument panel, new gauges, new interior, new exterior paint, new Gimbals, new tabs and hydraulics, rebuilt TRS drives and a pair of small block Chevy engines with everything short of blowers. Ended up with an 80 mph boat that was reliable for about a month at a time!

Thanks again for the info on the 65'. What additions or changes have you made to your Donzi... and what would you suggest to look out for if somebody was in the market for a 65'?

Carl

nice boat

Hey I know this is a older thread- but maybe they are still around.... Is that a conventional hard top?

It looks thin from the pics. Most conventional hardtops are cored fiberglass. Beautiful boat in every way!

what a magnificent boat!

I agree with fish. a boat's not about speed, it's about enjoyment. in some cases speed is just a bonus

the real enjoyment of a Donzi comes from the incredible ride in any sea conditions. I really do like them boats very much

Older Donzi vs. Newer hatteras/viking

Have been looking to buy a sport fish. Originally looking at boats in the 52-54 size range, specifically 2004 Viking 52 with 1300 mans and 2004 Hatteras 54 with C30 caterpillar.Then have looked at .buying an older Donzi- 65 or 72 foot. It appears that they could be purchased at same or better price than the newer hatteras / viking. I am concerned about buying an older boat and specificaly older engines 16V92, but feel that the older Donzi likely has a better ride and structurally more sound. I would get other people's opinion on the differences?

There's absolutely nothing wrong with a 65/72 Donzi EXCEPT for the engines. EVERY SINGLE ONE I've seen, which is around 15 ranging from 1987 to 1996, have the 16v92's. The boat, of course, is virtually built around that engine. Everything else about that boat is perfect; it'll survive a hurricane at sea(which was actually proven in real life), it's extremely spacious, it's actually quite fast despite the 16v92's(imagine one with the 16v2000!), the ride is one of the best I've ever experienced on ANY boat, and to top it all off it's stylish.

Something I find rather convenient is that from years 1987 to today, Donzi's are built virtually the exact same way. Every single Donzi is the same, so buying one from 1987 is the same as buying one from 1994 as buying one from 2003(unless it has different engines, which I actually doubt). But of course, every model is "different", such as interior styling and very small exterior details. Hull design and superstructure is exactly the same. And you know what? I'm glad they're like that. Why change a boat that's already perfect?

Donzi engines

Thanks manny for your reply. what specicifically do you not like about the engines. Obviously older technology and they need to be rebuilt more often. Are they inefficient? like 100-140 gallons per hour at cruise. Are they smoky? My dad had a 53 hatteras with 12 71 naturals that required rebuiding once, but were very reliable engines. Despite the 16V92 engines would you still prefer a Donzi over a newer smaller Hatteras / Viking with newer engines (caterpillar / man).

I'm sorry, but that's totally exagerated. my 12v92's on my 54' Bertram burn about 70 gallons per hour at 1850. But the 16v92's, however, burn much more. it all depends on how used the engines are. the more hours and usage, the more it's going to burn. I actually have 2 friends both with 65' Donzi's, one from 1987 and another from 1990. The 1987 one had a major engine rebuild and made them new. It burns 100 at 1900 RPM's and makes 25 knots. BELIEVE ME, i've seen it before while onboard with my own eyes. The one from 1990, however, have VERY used up engines that require rebuild very soon. This one burns 130 GPH at 1850, and only goes at 18 knots. I've also been onboard this one and saw it with my own eyes.

So basically, fuel usage depends on the condition of the engines themselves, because an older Donzi, with just better taken-care-of engines goes 7 knots faster than one that's newer while burning less.

The only reason I wouldnt like 16v92's is because there are better engines out there. Believe me, if I EVER find a Donzi repowered with newer engines I would buy it right off the back. But it's not to say the 16 92's are bad, they're just older and have less HP than newer engines, they tend to be very dirty, and they're very heavy. But of course these engines have major advantages, such as being cheaper to maintain than most modern engines, they're reliable, and parts are easier to get for them. It all really depends on the condition of the engine and the vessel itself.