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2001 Donzi 22ZX Scorpion

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12K views 30 replies 17 participants last post by  Dblvanos  
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#1 · (Edited)
I'm looking at a used 22ZX w/120 hours on a 377 6.2L Scorpion. Been doing some research and seems this is a great lake boat. I plan to use it mostly for go quick jaunts from point a to point b and perhaps some skiing and tubing. Research indicates this boat is slow out of the hole but tops out at 60-70. Wide in the turns and possible danger of rear slippage without proper use of trim. I know the engineer requires 93 octane or better which can be a costly feature these days. The 22 I'm looking at is clean and in great shape for $27K w/trailer.
Looking for some experienced feedback and information. Other recommendations (Fountain/Cobalt/Scarab etc.) I use to own a 1960's 18 classic barrel-back that I sold about 10 years ago. I miss that old boat. Here's a pic of the 22ZX

Thanks,
Bruce
 

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#2 ·
The Scorpion motor is not really best suited for what you are looking to get into. As you noted, 93 Octane required, and its really tweaked out. That motor is tuned for a high RPM powerband, and will not be the best for towing anything. Also, with a step bottom boat, you are right; improper trim and driver inputs will let the rear end on any step bottom boat "get away from you."

If you are new to the sport and looking for a performance boat that can multi-purpose a bit, you might be better off with a 24/25 Baja, or something similar. Good old fashioned BBC 454/496/502 power is going to give you plenty of "umph" when you want it, and plenty of speed for the lake when you desire. You may even chose to invest in a steeper prop for days when you want to pull a tube or a skier.

Do you live on SML? I frequent the lake quite a bit in the summer season, starting with the Poker Run in May.

Make sure you check out www.smlpba.com as well! We're all good friends, and would love to have you join us.

_________________________________________________

Brian Tillett
Active Thunder Factory Rep.
Web: www.activethunderboats.com
Email: ActiveThunderAVH(a)aol.com
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#3 ·
Should have never sold the Classic .............. Oh well damage done, live and learn ..... Sound's like you pretty much nailed the ZX ........... Nice boat, does a little of everything, looks good & well built .... As far as other recommendations, there's not much compitition for it, fountain doesnt build anything that small, wellcraft doesnt build the scarrab any more, and the cobalt is, well (a cobalt) ........... The scorpion package is unique, Don't hear much about them, probably a good thing ...... The guys on Donzi.net could tell you more about it ....... I know they have a few running some insane speeds ...... If you go there, do your self a favor, don't tell them you sold your 60's barrell back classic Donzi ..... LOL... You'll never hear the end of it ........... :laugher:
 
#4 ·
I know there is more than one HRPA member who has first hand experience in the 'hooking' potential on this boat. ;) I would steer clear of it from what I have heard and read about it. If you are doing water sports, you definitely want a boat you can crank the wheel on without having to worry about where the drive is.

Sounds like an 18 or 22 Classic would be a better choice...if you want a Donzi. I bought a 16 Classic just for this purpose. Loved it!

Small Baja or something like that...with conventional V bottom, would be good too.
 
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#5 · (Edited)
Thanks folks! Brian, Yes, we just bought a house on the lake (Eastlake, Aspen Point). I've been vacationing there for many years and plan to retire there some day, now I have a place to relax and enjoy the beauty. I don't live there now but am only 3 hours away. We were there this past 4th of July and saw all of ya'll tied up together at the landing. Wish we could have tied up too. My friend has a buddy that owns Liquid Performance. He's looking for a house at SML also. My boat lift is probably limited to a 25'er and I see too many Baja's these days. My 18 classic beat a Baja 22 on a straight run at Lake Anna. I may want to go back to an 18-22 classic but the chop gets heavy on SML in the summer so I wanted somthing bigger/taller. I'm also looking at a azureboats.com az240. It's not a sleek performance boat but they make one heck of a bowrider w/400+ HP. My main concern on the Donzi 22ZX is gas. It's tough to find high octane at most marinas, and if you do it usually over $4.00 gal.
I figure if I can get the 22ZX for $20K, I'll buy it. We'll just have to buy a party barge for skiing-n-such. I've attached a pic of my old 18 2+3. It was set up for racing with left hand helm. Will keep looking if the 22ZX won't come down in price. There must be a problem with donzi.net. I use to be a member but my acct doesn't work any more and I can't re-register. Email'd scot for assistance.
 

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#6 ·
They always seemed overpriced to me for the size and shape of boat. I see 26's around y area and they're asking $70k. Nearly four fold what I shelled out for my Powerquest that was a roomier bigger boat. Realizing that a few mph may have been lost, but I was happy with my purchase. Also know LOTS of people LOVE their Classics where I wouldn't be able to get the wife and kid to even think about squeezing in there. To each their own. Not trying to slam the ZXs at all, but, smallish and lots of $ for what I do, and use a boat for. Good luck shopping and enjoy, if you do pull the trigger.
 
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#8 · (Edited)
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#9 ·
Hey Sydwayz.... I have always wanted to try out SML, how far from Johnson City Tenn. is that? Or Bristol Motor Speedway?

If I don't go to Lake Cumberland in May, I might be able to do that run?

I only have a little feeble 22 Classic...so I doubt I could keep up with the Big Boyz... but its fun tryin.

Doc of the Bay :p:
 
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#10 · (Edited)
There is a 16' Donzi Classic that ALWAYS runs the run! They usually have 4 guys aboard.

You can use any of the map sites, and map yourself to Moneta, VA. That's the bigger town at the lake.
(210 mi – about 3 hours 33 mins per Google Maps to Johnson City, TN)

Also, www.bernardslanding.com is the best place to stay for the event.

Your 22' Classic will be great for the run. There is no race, nor organized route. You have to make your way to 7 of the participating 8 marinas or so, over the course of 4 hours.

_________________________________________________

Brian Tillett
Active Thunder Factory Rep.
Web: www.activethunderboats.com
Email: ActiveThunderAVH(a)aol.com
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#11 ·
Dr. Dan said:
Hey Sydwayz.... I have always wanted to try out SML, how far from Johnson City Tenn. is that? Or Bristol Motor Speedway?

If I don't go to Lake Cumberland in May, I might be able to do that run?

I only have a little feeble 22 Classic...so I doubt I could keep up with the Big Boyz... but its fun tryin.

Doc of the Bay :p:
Click to expand...
Little feeble 22 my A**............. :laugher: :laugher:
 
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#14 ·
I'm not sure how old your looking to go, but the 22' Scarab is a pretty good platform for what you want to do. the 454/bravo package gets up out of the hole extremely fast, will run about 65 mph, and handles pretty well for a 22 foot boat. Only problem with them is that 98 or 99 was the last year for them.

Eric
 
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#19 ·
RCHEVELLE71 said:
...the 26 sonic is more boat than you will need, it feels more like a 28.
Click to expand...
Other than weighing more, its really not much more boat than a 25' Outlaw. Its got a molded in swim platform, and a notched transom, so waterline/hull length is nearly identical.

Another nice boat is the 25' Checkmate.
 
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#21 ·
HotSpare1 said:
Nice lookin 18 barrell back ....... who's got it now ??? if you don't mind me askin ......
Click to expand...
Don't have any records of the buyer any more. He was into a restoration project and wanted to take this 18 2+3 down to the glass and rebuild it. Would love to see it now...8 years later. He's on the east coast, somewhere in Maryland or Virginia.
 
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#22 ·
all that has been said is true some other info the 22zx seats (sit down swivels) have had some issues and need to be beefed up in some cases, a friend had one that he put stand up bolsters in a nice upgrade, the 22 zx stepped version in my mind has a very agressive step if you look at most stepped boats the step or steps is in the back 1/3 of the boat so 2/3 is stuck to the water and a 1/3 is not , the step on a 22zx is just about in the middle so a 1/2 is stuck and a 1/2 is not so when it spins you have almost equal mass making it really whip around
that plus it is usually an entrance level hi po boat with an inexpierenced driver at the helm leads to it's tendancy to spin
there is also some fairing issues on certain model years not structural but cosemetic with spider cracks
it is a good looking boat that in the right hands can be a very capable boat it just takes some seat time
i have driven a non stepped 22zx and the first thing I would need to do is put in stand up bolsters i am too short to feel comfortable driving it as a sit down boat
alot different from the wind in your face sit on feeling of a classic
 
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#23 ·
Sydwayz said:
Something like this might fit your bill as well:

Sonic:

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.com/2003_sonic_26_prowler-o20347-en.html

Or a 25/28 Nordic:

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.com/2002_25_039_rage-o17344-en.html

_________________________________________________

Brian Tillett
Active Thunder Factory Rep.
Web: www.activethunderboats.com
Email: ActiveThunderAVH(a)aol.com
Image
Click to expand...

How about this one...

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.com/1995_sunsation_25_aggressor-o19637-en.html
 
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#24 ·
I'm not sure what Hotspare1 meant by his Cobalt
remark but since he did not use a smilely face icon
I took it to be a slight. If you want a boat that
depreciates quickly, creaks, rattles, cracks, breaks,
gets water logged, and rots then do NOT get a Cobalt.
The execs at Cobalt seem to go after the open bow
runabout crowd mostly but our 233 does everything
well. Not sure what everyone considers a "go fast"
speed but we are doing over 70 MPH with stock power.
I always considered Donzi to be the cream of the go
fast crop but I could never find one at a show or dealer
in my area until after I got my 233. I take my Sister's
kids tubing and skiing all the time and this accounts
for 70% of our boating time. When I feel the need for
speed I believe our top speed is very respectable.
My Firstmate and I take trips, sleep over, and blast
around at high speeds regularly. So for us this 233
is awesome. Do not underestimate a Cobalt!
 

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#26 ·
SMLaker said:
How about this one...

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.com/1995_sunsation_25_aggressor-o19637-en.html
Click to expand...
Nice boat(s), but a little on the small side compared to what you would expect for a boat named a 25. Its really only 23'7" long and 7' wide. There have been DOZENS of boats made from the original 24/7 molds of years ago, including the 24' that Dave has linked as well.

They respond REALLY well to HP. I have a good friend who had one with 850-900HP!!! :eek: They got it up to 104 before it scared the bejesus out of them. They handle and ride like go-karts on the water. Ty (friend mentioned) had one VERY similar to the one you linked; a 97, and sold it for a 2001 updated model. He has since sold that one, and moved to a 32 Single Sunsation.

As long as the size it cool with you, that would be a great boat for SML. Ty has a place on SML as well, and ran his there for years; as well as the Potomac, and Lake Anna.

I'll shoot him a link to this thread, and he should respond with some first hand input.

A 25' Active Thunder would fit the bill too, but I don't know of any available.
 
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