bvanter5m,

does the kit from tower come w/ all you said?? is there a fittings kit for all of the chairs, interior, etc.??

The Kit comes with the hand laid fiberglass hull, laser cut wood for the laying of the hull, cabin, and cabinets. plans, directions, various size wood, dowels for the tower, running hardware(2 struts/stuffing tubes,2 rudders, 2 props) 2 simulated steering wheels, anchor, and throttle controls. I think that's it...it comes with everything to build a basic model except radio, motors, esc, battery.

I used aluminum tubing and plastic styrene tubes to replace the wooden dowels for the tuna tower...much stronger! the chair instructions in the kit was very basic, I built the ones one my boat from scratch.

Like I have said in past posts...it takes patience and imagination to customize this boat. i have collected many pics from the internet to help me maintain the scale, and I have been very happy with the challenges and outcome

I hope this helps.

I love this thread! Close to my heart.

My Donzi, I see, has already been discussed in some detail. Trial and error - I think I have found a good solution to the many imperfections I first encountered. I ditched my AM radio and heavy gel cell batteries. I have since added an FM radio and light stick batteries (pushed all the way back by the transom for better balance). The boat has been clocked at 12.5mph - and I think it is capable of even faster speed. It is more speed than necessary and certainly much more speed than scale. But having that boat quickly accelerate and go fast is a blast.

I bought the boat already assembled - - all I needed to do was install the running gear (which was enough of a challenge for me). My next project is to build the twin fishing poles for the port and starboard (forgive me if the poles are called another term - I just don't know it).

Any advice or instruction on how to build decent looking poles will be greatly appreciated.

Attached are a couple of recent videos (already posted on RC Groups - - Hansen Dam thread)

http://media.putfile.com/Donzi-at-Hansen

http://media.putfile.com/100-3035

its bot letting me se it, the movie screen never shows, i can hear sound and the website loads all the way, but it wont let me see the movie.

for the fishing poles, i would cut the endsoff of normal poles, or maybe the lower part for more strenght, and then just cut off the big loops for the line to go through and make smaller ones.

then, just add some bait on a hook and yoru good to go.

hope you dont catch a HUGE Bass, that'll capsize the boat[X(]

U163665, I used 3/6 aluminum tubes to make the "outriggers". I also stuffed the tubes with wooden dowels for added strength. There are also four 1/32 plywood wooden struts made in the shape of a cross. I used plastic styrene which to me was easier to work with, and I also used actual fishing line for the outriggers line.

I hope this helps...let me know if you have any specific questions about the process.

Thanks for the advice on the outriggers. Saleens7 - - to view the videos you must have quicktime installed on your computer. Please go to www.apple.com to install the quicktime player for free.

-Matt

Can Anyone tell Me If Dumas 'Donzi' Plans Would Be Any Good For Construction? Iam Trying To Scratch Build The Donzi And Need Some help With The Cabin And Upper Decks. If Some Of You Donzi Builders Can Let Know Before I Commit To Buying These Plans. Thanks
Jesse

Unfortunately.....I am looking at the plans now, and it would be very difficult to build the cabin with what is supplied on the plans. The majority of the parts are laser cut from Dumas. The only section that is true to size is a side view of the cabin. The rest are small illustrations with few dimensions. Even this took some deciphering and trials on my part.

bvanter

Thanks For the Info About The Donzi plans. I Think I Can Get Some Good Info From That One View. If their Is Anyone With Plans For The Donzi Z65 That Willing To Sell Them Or A Copy Please Email Me With The Details

I noticed this thread did not have pictures of my Donzi. Must correct that. Kmot took these pictures and I think they are fantastic.

Does anyone know of an alternative to using the microballoons and epoxy for the Donzi? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Brent

I've Always Used Dust From My Electric Sander/Shaper And Have Not Had A problem. I Keep A Small Plastic Container Full In a cabinet In My Shop At all Times. You Might Also Try Talcum ,It Work Just As Good.

Jesse,
Thanks for the advice. I'll try that.

Hey!!since we're showing boats....why not

a few more

Upper Tower

cabin top

bvanter5

Where did you get the screws for the tuna tower, what was the price, and approximately how many screws did you use for the tower?

Brent, I counted about 30 screws, I couldn't remember the size. However I picked them up at my local Ace Hardware store. These screws are so small that they kept them behind the counter in sorted case. They were also priced about 5 cents a piece. Are you building a Donzi...can you post some pics?

bah, this is my next project, I need to finish my chris craft. u163665-those pics look real, if I saw that in a boating magazine, I wouldnt think it was a model for a second. very nice!

.

Bvanter,
Yep, I'm building the Donzi too. Right now I'm just applying the decking on the sides, but when I get a little more further into the project, I'll post some photos. Thanks for all the info.

Quicksiler - thanks for the very nice comments!

Brent, take some pics now of the build...they are good to look back on. Let me know if you have any questions...i'll try to help.

Bvanter,
I have a question for you. I layed down the decking on the sides and found out that the cabin was about 1/8" too wide for the opening. I had to pull the decking off and remove the shims from the cockpit sides in order to basically start over. Anyways I was hoping you could measure the width of the deck sides at the point where it connects with the front deck, where the curve comes down at the cockpit decking, an the at the transom. I have to go buy some basswood to replace the pine decking because that it is all I could find around here. Thanks again. As soon as I get the decking back on, I'll take photos of the project so far. Thanks again.