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Where Are The Donzi Folks?

Discussion in 'Donzi/Roscioli Yacht' started by DOCKMASTER, Feb 11, 2015.

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  1. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Seems like not much activity on the Donzi forum. Nobody having any issues to share we can all learn from?
    My 54' Donzi is currently in winter storage getting maintenance and more upgrades. Last winter was a big push on system replacements and upgrades:
    - Installed a bow thruster
    - replaced both HVAC chiller compressors and went through the whole system
    - replaced the Eskimo fish box ice chipper with an Ice Sea sea water or fresh water selectable machine
    - Built a sound shield for the smaller 8k genny
    - Replaced the 12v distribution panel in the engine room
    - added an emergency gen start system using dedicated DDEC batteries for back-up
    - went through entire electrical system and bonding system.
    - installed a new cockpit freezer and compressor
    All upgreades and repairs are working great. Unfortunately, had an engine failure (sucked a valve) halfway through the season and took a month to repair.

    This winter we are working through a list of smaller items
    - all normal maintenence of course (oil changes, impellers, filters, etc)
    - Rebuilding the cockpit tackle center to better utilize the wasted space in the cabinet, new aluminum drawers with ball bearing slides, etc.
    - Installing another Simrad NSS-12 in the cockpit
    - Installing a pot puller

    What are some of you other Donzi folks doing?
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    They're fishing!

    It's nice to see how you are constantly upgrading your Donzi and enjoying her.
  3. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    I suspect it's due more than anything to the fact there just aren't very many of the Roscioli Donzis.
  4. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I think it's one of those former great brands that there just aren't many of around today. I don't know that we even have members here with them.
  5. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    Besides DOCKMASTER, BAMBOO comes to mind. The thing is, I would guess they've built maybe less than 50 boats.

    The folks over at Roscioli might take issue with the 'former' great brand characterization.
  6. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Heck I take exception to the "former" great brand comment. :) I love the Donzi. Well, everything except the fuel burn rate :(
    I do realize there are not many of them out there compared to the production builders. But I figured some folks would be active on the site.

    I'm really looking forward to this season and can't wait to get her back on the water!
  7. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    By "former great" I was referring to volume being built. It was a poor choice of words. I don't honestly know how many are being sold today. That was not meant as a slight to the boat. It was simply Donzi's heyday was in the past. I have tremendous respect for Roscioli. I also know that, much to their credit, they have two new yachts ready for immediate delivery and very few builders trying to maintain or reestablish brands have any built without orders.

    The point was that the reason you weren't receiving many responses was there are not many owners. I don't know when thinking about it how many owners we have on the board of any newer sportfish boats. We sure have a lot of Post owners and the new owner of Post has done nothing to bring them back.
  8. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Thanks for the follow-up. I took your comment in the contaxt just as you described. Sorry, I was just teasing a bit which is why I put the :) after my smart ass comment.
  9. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Well, just wanted to make it clear I respect Roscioli and wish the best for the line. I think the fact they have two new ones ready to deliver gives it every opportunity possible to regain strength.
  10. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    "Little Pipe", 58' Donzi Express Sportfish by Roscioli is one of my favorit boats!

  11. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I don't think they've ever lost strength. They're a semi-custom that has always built a few boats a year. They're not a true custom as Bob Roscioli does things his way with a lot of things. I wouldn't also put them on the same level as Merritt, Jim Smith, Bayliss, ACY, etc. but close.
  12. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    I don't think of Roscioli in a former or past tense either.

    I took the former great brand comment as being directed at the Don Aronow Donzis.
  13. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    A great video with Bob Roscioli explaining the history.

    http://donzievolution.com/video.php

    Roscioli built their first in 1987. A lot of history prior to then from offshore, to chase, to huge volumes of small boats to the start of SF.

    And, yes, part of my thoughts do refer to the days prior to 1987 where "Donzi" although not SF was everywhere at times. Of course then nowhere at other times.

    Interesting that Donzi Marine has tried to bring the Classics back.
  14. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Donzi has never stopped making the classics. The classics have been made continuously since the 1960's. I think it is the longest running boat model sold ever.
  15. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Well, now that we've established that Rosciolli Donzi's are still a great brand, where are the other Owner's?

    Am I crazy to seriously be considering a Repower? I love everything about the boat except the engines. I'm exploring a set a MTU 10v2000's. It would be a significaint increase in hp from 1,150 to almost 1,600. Problem is getting the old out and the new in. The main salon floor and aft bhd would have to be cut out. And I would likely need to go up to 3" shafts which would actually be reletively easy since this was an option on these boats originally. I'm not looking for ROI here as I plan to keep the boat a long time. I know a few others that have repowered a 54 and some 65's.
  16. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    If it's your forever boat and you've got the dough why not?

    You'll get the ROI in enjoyment ...improved performance, and your hearing will thank you.
  17. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    If that's what you want to do. If you're happy with the speed you have, I'd consider C18 Cat's the lighter weight and true HP, you'll still probably pick up 4-5 knots over the Detroits and a lot better fuel burn. You could keep the same size shafts if you go with a better shaft material and possibly splined shafts (which is what I'd do as you'll be a touch faster this way). I would also call Roscioli and see what they think you'll gain with 1600hp. If the hull design won't allow you to get a big speed increase, why stuff such large engines in there. If you plan to keep it, then it makes sense.....
  18. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    The C-18 is a great engine but if I'm going to go to the trouble and expense of doing the Repower it is also for a HP increase and speed increase. Shafts are already Aquamet 22 and at 2.5" are good for about 1,450 hp. I've also looked at the MTU 8v2000. But again, seems like the 10v would be a far greater improvement given the amount of work to get the old engines out and any new engine in.
  19. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Well speed isn't anything, fuel efficiency is becoming more and more important. You also have to consider how much fuel you hold and how that will effect range. C-18's you'll have more room in the engine room, 4-5 knots more speed at 85gph for both, bulletproof motors, cheaper maintanence, and better range and efficiency, not have to change shafts/struts, etc. So between the price difference of the motors and running gear, it would probably be a better fit and considerably cheaper. Will the hull even go much faster with a lot more HP? A lot of times it's diminishing returns...... for example....the origional 45' Cabo had 660HP 3196's it cruised at 26 knots. With 1100hp Man's it was 33 knots...... 800hp mans 28.5 knots......so feeding an extra 600hp to get 4.5 knots.....well you get the picture.

    What is your cruise speed now? How many gallons of fuel do you hold?

    I'd call Roscioli and see what you're hull is capable of (speed vs. HP) and what they'd recommend and think of each engine.
  20. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Thanks for the input. Curious how you figure a 4-5 knot speed increase with almost 20% less hp? Yes, the C-18 is a more true hp than the Detriots but the c-18's are certainly not more HP. They weigh less for sure but I don't see a significant speed increase now after I have burned off 1,000 gallons of fuel (boat holds 1,400 gal). This would be a far greater weight reduction then the delta between the Detriots and CAT's.
    I know of another 54' Donzi that put it in similair MTU's on a repower and resulted in easy 6+ knot cruise speed increase. I currently cruise at 22-23 knots at 75% load burning 80 gals/hr total for both. I am looking to get close to 30 knots cruise with similiar fuel burn.