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Random Quote: If you can taste the salt in the air.....it's time for a bigger boat!
Looking at the above combo. Does anyone have any opinions on the motor? I see that it "recommends" 91 octance. Out of curiosity, what would happen if I was in the Bahamas and could only get 87?? Does anyone have any personal experience with speed and/or efficiency of this engine? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Also, the dealer claims that it should make 60mph trimmed out in the right conditions. I'm guessing that's hype. Any opinions and/or does anyone know where I might look to find out? Thanks
The 23ZF with a single 250 runs right around 50. 60 is dream land. 250XS is a great motor, very strong. So, how often are you going to take your boat to the Bahamas and where are you going to go? I found what was supposed to be premium gas in Bimini at the Bimini Blue water and I also was told the gas at Lucaya was 92 Octane. If you like the boat don't let the premium thing stop you. You could get a Yamaha and burn oil at the rate of 30:1
JDBer94: but, suppose that's all I can find one day? Will it run at all and/or will it cause permanent damage? I'm not worrying about it for everyday use, I buy 2k gallons of high grade at a time for business purposes, so price, availability is not a problem 99.99% of the time. I'm just worried about trips, etc.
ave8er: I'll run over to Walker's with friends for weekends most of the time. Maybe go to Treasure for a little more extended stay, but I haven't been there in several years. The place really seems to vascillate every few years; one year its nice and renovated, a few years later its almost like a ghost town.
Schmaltz: thanks, but I just sold my 23' Contender/250Yam ('99) to get something else. I loved it, and the Yam ran like a scalded cat. But the boat was a little spartan, especially when you have kids, friends, etc. and there's no room to sit and no head, and very little storage, etc. I like to fish, I'm just not THAT serious.
I have a 23zf with a 250 EFI Merc. I've seen 49 MPH with two people light load and less that a 1/4 tank of gas. Full on rigged for fishing with two guys it'll run 46 MPH.
I like the boat it does everything nice, you can fish, ride around (seats for the girls), etc. Love the wide console, very little wind noise at speed.
Only thing that I dislike, is with the stepped hull I can not see bottom at speed.(aerated hull)
We sold Donzi for multiple years up until 2002. They built a nice boat that performed well. Their customer service and warranty was hard to deal with though as they don't like to fix things, especially stress cracks and other fiberglass work (stress cracking was common on the larger models, but not so on the 23 so go figure). The 23 is a bit sluggish with a single (the best I'd seen with a 250 EFI was 52 mph). However, the XS is more powerful so power should be good, plus fuel burn won't be atrocious like the EFI. I do remember the ride was smooth and the layout was excellent. What dealer told you 60? They forgot to tell you that they hadn't taken it off the trailer yet as it was still heading down I-95 behind a dually. What is the price?
finbox, if you have the transducer mounted ahead of the forward step (ideally in a shoot-thru oil bath), the 'ducer will read fine at speed.
"What dealer told you 60? They forgot to tell you that they hadn't taken it off the trailer yet as it was still heading down I-95 behind a dually. What is the price?"
Aqua Toy Store, Pompano, FL---don't worry, I took it with a large grain of salt. (I may have been born at night, but it wasn't last night. ) your numbers for the 250 efi are encouraging, maybe it will hit 55 with the XS? I don't really care, though. I really like the boat and the set-up. $52k, no trailer. I looked at several used boats that were in the 40s and figured the premium probably wasn't out of line for the stronger/newer motor, options it had on it, etc. I could have shopped a little more, but they've been really good to deal with. I pick it up next Friday.
Some people say if I mount my transducer forward of the first step it will work, and some say it want. I have never really heard from any actual Donzi owners... but as you can see from this Heli. shot of my boat at speed in about 1 1/2 foot chop that area of the hull is out of the water as well, at 2 or 3 foot it gets worse.
At around $800.00 and not knowing if it will work I cant see myself installing one.
I can tell you it doesn't work to install the transducer forward of the step on a 29ZF for the exact reason you stated. It is out of the water! My buddy has a 35 and his works great.
finbox: you're boat is beautiful! Mine will be very similar, but it only has the standard re stripe on it. I would rather have your paint scheme. I wonder what is costs to have them add a paint scheme or even if they will??
on a more important note, does anyone know where/how I should mount a transducer???
Also, finbox, where do you have your electronics? I was thinking I would put the VHF up top, stereo and combo fishfinder/gps in the lower dash box. I was really wanting a Raymarine C120, but I just don't think there is anywhere to put it. I would prefer to have it flush mounted outside on the dash, but there is definitely no room for that. (I looked at a friend's new 23 Proline which appears to have nearly the same console.....surprise, surprise ) Anyway, I will probably end up compromising with the C80, unless someone know where else and how to mount the bigger machine.
I can't remember if we mounted the shoot-thru on the 23. We did not sell many over the years (maybe 3 or 4). The 35s were the hot model and the shoot-thru worked excellent with that hull. Have a starboard panel made to fit inside the dash to fluch mount the electronics. That's what we usually did and it makes for a very clean installation. I would mount the VHF, stereo, and the GPS/sounder all inthe dash. This way you have everything right in front of you and the box up top is left open for storage.
I've seen guys mount their electronics on the starboard like sundance stated and it looks nice...(look on boattrader.com for some pics of boats for sale and some have a pic of their electronics with the starboard.)
As for electronic mounting locations I always mount my VHF in the electronics box on the T-top. it is the safest, driest spot for the most important piece of gear on the boat. Also you will never have to fish the thick antenna cable trough the T-top pipes with it mounted up there.....Antannas don't last forever and you'll be happy your not in the hot sun with a coat hanger and string fighting with that cable.
The boat looks really nice in the solid red hull...I get complements all the time, it was an factory option in 2001, I should still be.
I have the 225 Optis on my boat and the manuel says run 89 Octane - I'm pretty sure that is what I read. I definately know it did not say run 91 octane or higher. That is what I used to do with my Yamis, so I was prepared to run the high test. Is it printed in the Merc manuel to run the high test or just common knowledge you will get better performane, less matience. etc. if you use the good stuff?
2002 Proline 23 Sport
Twin 150 hpdi's
87 octane
wot 48 mph
Furuno 582 w/ 600W thru-hull and fairing block mounted
off center and 2 ft forward of transom- never looses bottom.
I would strongly consider twins for a gulf stream crossing.
Help: 23ZF Donzi/Mercury 250 Optimax XS?? 
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not the yamaha thing again,please 
) Anyway, I will probably end up compromising with the C80, unless someone know where else and how to mount the bigger machine. 
