Donzi boats
Donzi builds performance oriented boats with a heritage in offshore racing and go fast designs dating to the 1960s. The brand has changed ownership several times, and most of the 699 registered hulls in the US date from the late 1980s through late 1990s. These are typically gas powered center consoles and bowriders in the 20 to 25 foot range, valued today between $12,000 and $25,000.
Donzi used price range
From 571 live listings in BoatVerdict's market data (10th, 50th, 90th percentile).
See Donzi values by model year →Are Donzi boats reliable?
Donzi has one USCG recall on record across its entire fleet, a low rate that suggests good baseline design. However, the typical used Donzi is 25 to 35 years old, and ownership cost is driven by engine rebuilds or repowers, fiberglass repairs from hard use, and fuel system maintenance on aging gas engines. Performance boats see harder duty cycles than cruisers, so condition varies widely with prior owner care.
Common problems to inspect on a used Donzi
- Transom and stringer integrity, as older performance hulls take pounding
- Engine hours and compression on original gas powerplants
- Gel coat stress cracks and crazing from age and UV exposure
- Fuel tanks and lines degraded by ethanol in modern gas
Registry footprint
Sample = US state open-data vessel registries (currently Texas + New York, ~875k vessels). Treat as a representative slice of recreational US inventory.
Recalls (1)
- ⚠ Recall
940269S11/1/1994NON IGN PROTECT NO BOOT; ON STARTER MOTOR
What this means before you buy →
Frequently asked questions
Are Donzi boats reliable?
Donzi has only one USCG recall across 699 registered US hulls, indicating sound original engineering. Reliability on a used Donzi depends heavily on maintenance history, as most of the fleet is 25 to 35 years old and performance boats require more frequent service than cruisers.
What is Donzi known for?
Donzi is known for high performance offshore boats with a racing pedigree dating to founder Don Aronow in the 1960s. The brand built a reputation in the go fast boat community, though ownership has changed hands multiple times since.
How much does a used Donzi cost?
Used Donzi boats currently list between $12,000 and $25,000, with a median around $18,500. These are typically 1980s and 1990s models in the 20 to 25 foot range, so prices reflect age and condition rather than recent production.
What should I look for when buying a used Donzi?
Inspect the transom and stringers for soft spots or delamination, verify engine compression and hours, check for gel coat stress cracks, and examine fuel system condition. A marine survey is essential given the age of most hulls and the harder use typical of performance boats.
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