[2001 Performance
Reports]
LONG TERM TEST
BOAT
Four months with Donzi's 35ZF Daytona revealed that it is
far more than just another fishing boat. Its size and hull design
made it competent in crummy water. Its power made it fast and
fun.
Story by Jo D. Stich
That's a pump for the raw-water wash down," said a
POWERBOAT tester, as he inspected the interior of the Donzi 35ZF
Daytona, a 33'6"-long, 9'2"-wide center-console boat that was on
loan for a long-term test. "It doesn't get much easier to clean a
boat than this-although, you wouldn't know it," he said. "This
boat is filthy."
He was right. There were saltwater spots covering the Plexiglas
windshield that protected my friend and me from spray during a
wild, rough-water run. Then there was the dried blood on the
cut-ting board that covered the transom sink. Evidently, my
co-workers didn't clean very well after last weekend's fishing
excursion, where the team of four landed nine yellowtail and one
mako shark.
I tried to hide the evidence, but it was too late. Scattered
across the diamond non-skid deck were many signs of its four
months of use. From scuba diving and fishing in the Pacific Ocean
to surfing and running among the Channel Islands chain, there was
not one boating activity the staff at POWERBOAT didn't experience
aboard the 35ZF Daytona.
Looking back, visions of camping, fishing and poker-run
cruising filled our heads once we caught our first look at the
deep-V boat that came with the Daytona package, which included
items such as an electronics package, Mercury Zero Effort
controls, drop-out bolsters and custom graphics. Our boat also
boast-ed twin Mercury 250 EFI engines, an electric head, a
windlass and a $146,130 price tag. (For $121,853, the 35ZF comes
with twin Mercury 225 EFI mills.)
I should have known that the company newspeak-"Fish on Friday,
dive on Saturday and race on Sunday"-was possible after reviewing
the long equipment list provided by the Sarasota, Fla., company.
However, when we received our boat on that day in early June, no
one could comprehend just how awesome the summer of 2000 was going
to be.
VERSATILE, REFINED, SPACIOUS
As of early November,
when this review was written, we had put more than 70 hours on the
35ZF Daytona and driven it at least 1,000 miles in the Pacific
Ocean, our home waters.
After more serious review, we found there was not much the
7,500-pounder was lacking. The 35ZF Daytona was constructed with
handlaid bi-and triaxial stitched fabrics and full vinylester
resin. The deck is cored with Divinycell, and in addition to
coring the hullsides with end-grain balsa, the manufacturer
vacuum-bagged the transom. The main structure on the boat was the
center console that was smartly laid out. In front of the console
was a cushioned two-person bench. Underneath the hinged cushion
was an insulated ice chest, which kept our drinks cold and our
sandwiches fresh. On the starboard side was a double bifolding
door that opened to an electric head with a freshwater shower and
sink, a nonskid floor and a fiberglass finish, which made cleanup
a breeze.
Moving aft to the helm, the 35ZF Daytona sported
high-performance goodies all around. On top in a lockable
compartment with a clear cover was a Lowrance LMS 160 Map
depthfinder/GPS combo and a Raytheon Ray52 VHF radio. Just below
to the left were Gaffrig gauges for monitoring the twin engine's
trim, water pressure, volts, and fuel level. Above the custom
aluminum steering wheel were large Gaffrig tachometers and a
speedometer. In a comfortable position to the right were Mercury
Racing Zero Effort shifters and throttles with drive-trim control
in the thumb position.
Not typically found on fishing boats were dropout bolsters that
also served as a leaning post. The side-by-side seats were not
only comfortable-and our favorite spot on the boat-but they
boasted 40-ounce, French-stitched vinyl. On the backside, four rod
holders were accompanied by a scuba-tank rack.
On each side of the center console was a fish box. What we
especially liked was that the boxes drained to a macerator that
ground fish scales and ice before pumping the waste overboard.
Below a folding seat that backed up to the transom was another
floor panel that provided access to the powder-coated battery
boxes, batteries, the bilge pump and other engine-related
equipment. On top of the transom were two more lockers: a live
bait well (that comes with an 800- or 2,500-gallon per hour pump)
and a sink with a freshwater faucet and a raw-water wash down.
Covering both compartments was a cutting-board lid.
Standard hardware on the boat included cat-eye-style recessed
docking lights, stainless-steel bowrails and two starboard-side
fuel fills. Optional hardware included a retractable,
powder-coated Bimini structure with a fixed canvas brow and rod
holders, a dive ladder and a remote-controlled windlass anchor set
in a bow pulpit. (Donzi has removed the bow pulpit on all 2001
models to gain more clutter-free fishing space.) There also was a
spotlight perched on top of the Bimini, but taking POWERBOAT'S
advice of moving its location, Donzi now offers its customers the
choice of where the spotlight should be mounted: either on the
canvas superstructure or on the bowrail.
Surprisingly, the simple cabin behind the lockable, bi-folding
acrylic lid and door got lots of use. Three POWERBOAT staffers
with friends and family made numerous overnight trips, and each
said the two-person V-berth with upholstered coaming pads was
comfortable, and the added space for stowing for fishing poles,
sleeping bags and surf boards was a big bonus.
NO TIME FOR A SLOW BOAT
Although the boat was
comfortable to sleep and fish in, driving the 35ZF Daytona was our
favorite pastime. Our test model's Z-Tech 22-degree bottom had a
delta-pad keel and two ventilated steps. The first step was about
6 feet forward of the transom; the second step was roughly 5 1/2
feet forward of the first. All four strakes continued through the
second running surface between the steps, but only the outers ran
full length.
The twin Mercury 250 EFI engines were mated to Bravo One 15
1/4" x 22" propellers. The outboards were a good match for the
35-footer. Even with a hurricane brewing off the coast of Baja
California and being filled full of fuel (nearly 260 gallons) on
the day of the test, the boat ran to a top speed of 61.1 mph at
5800 rpm. At around 4000 rpm, the boat ran 36 mph.
On the way to top end, the boat reached 24 mph in five seconds
and 48 mph in 15. Time to plane was extremely quick for an
outboard application, taking only 4.5 seconds. Minimum planing
speed was 16 mph with the tabs, 19.5 mph without. Midrange
acceleration tests from 30 to 50 mph would have been a little
faster if the boat wasn't full of fuel, however we felt 9.2
seconds was still respectable.
The boat earned high regard and praise for its rattle-free
construction and solid handling characteristics even in the
roughest conditions. The boat didn't feel like it had twin steps,
especially during slalom turns and right- and left-hand circle
drills. In both areas, as well as in tracking and deceleration,
the 35ZF Daytona earned excellent marks. Visibility was good at
all times, throttle response was above average and steering- wheel
torque needed just a little muscle to combat.
STEM-TO-STERN COVERAGE
The biggest repair
needed was probably the worst thing that could have broken-the
engines. While underway for a weekend adventure, one of the two
Merc 250s konked out. Make special note: Over a four-month period,
this happened twice, once to each engine. However, Donzi offers as
a standard feature a five-year warranty called Z Care, which
covers nearly everything found on the boat. Name any item, such as
the engine, the lower unit, the power trim, the depthfinder, the
instrument panel, the waste system, the stereo, the pumps, or the
lights, and it's probably covered.
For a $100 deductible on each claim ($500 for motor repairs),
Donzi will find you a service center in your area. The warranty is
transferable to the second owner and comes with a 24-hour hotline
to report emergencies or request repairs, towing, dockside
assistance or pickup. In our case, the twin outboards were covered
by the Mercury-supplied one-year warranty. If our engine failures
happened just one day after the warranty expired, Donzi's Z Care
warranty would cover the claims. In either case, according to a
Donzi representative, a Z Care hot-line operator would make all
the arrangements for the repairs. "We're trying to make your
boating experience easier with just one phone call," he
said.
ACTIVITY PLATFORM
Fish on Friday, dive on Saturday,
race on Sunday. The company was right. Although the Donzi 35ZF
Daytona looks like a fishing boat, it's got the attitude, space
and power to handle any boating activity thrown its way. Our
adventures proved it. The only thing lacking was what we editors
think should come standard - a maid. So the big question remains:
Who's going to clean up after our messy escapades?
