This 1974 Donzi Sweet 16 is rare not only because of its largely unmodified condition, but because of its not-often-seen Green and Wonder White factory gelcoat colors and the fact that it’s believed to have under 55 hours on the meter. It’s a Don Aranow / Donzi Marine time capsule.

The Donzi is sits beautifully today, but it’s a first-rate restoration candidate. The Ford Cobra 8-cylindar engine runs strong and boasts an exhilarating exhaust note. Like all Donzis, this Sweet 16 is an attention-grabber everywhere it goes.

Ford Cobra engine
Volvo-Penta 270 outdrive
Four blade Federal prop
Morse single lever control
Teleflex steering
Deck mounted hose connect flush fitting (replaces rabbit ears)
Stainless trim tabs
Recently replaced starter
Recently replaced alternator
New Michelin Endurance tires and steel wheels (July 2021)
Brand new bearings (July 2021)
Bearing Buddy grease fittings,
Two original Ford period-correct trailer wheels also included.

The Donzi has had three previous owners. The original owner held the Donzi for 37 years, followed by the second owner who held the boat just over 10 years. Both owners were said to have maintained the boat regularly and stored it indoors when not in use. The third owner held the Donzi for just several months before deciding to move out of state and could not relocate the boat with him at the time.

This Sweet 16 is said to have been purchased new in Northern Michigan by a car collector. The second owner, also a car collector, was located in Indiana. The boat was always used in freshwater as a result, and both owners were said to have stored the boat in climate controlled warehouses when not in use. The condition of the gelcoat supports this.

The boat is currently located in Door County, 90 miles from Green Bay, WI.

Hull serial #: DMR166780674-C
Engine #: D1JE-942B-AA
Volvo-Penta outdrive # 2785578D

This 1974 Donzi Sweet 16 appears to include the original gelcoat, original steering wheel and optioned gauges, the original brightwork, well-crafted replacement cushions, the factory original Rocket trailer and two period correct Ford trailer wheels (pictured).

The boat has been detailed, to include having the hull wet sanded, polished and waxed with 3M products. The bilge has been detailed, the brightwork and trim tabs polished, and the cushions cleaned and treated. Note that the bilge requires more cleaning due to an oil leak, but it still presents well (see below). The trailer is in working order and has new Michelin Endurance tires, wheels and bearings.

Donzi History:

Donzi boats were designed and built by the legendary ocean racer, Don Aronow, in Miami, FL beginning in the early 1960s. The 16 foot Ski Sporter / Sweet 16 was the first boat Aronow designed for his eponymously named boat company, Donzi Marine, Aronow’s nickname.

Aronow built speedboats for many famous people including the Shah of Iran, Malcom Forbes, and George H.W. Bush. President Lyndon Johnson owned several Sweet 16s which he would race with his Secret Service agents. Aronow also built and raced the famous Formula and Cigarette boats, as featured on “Miami Vice”. Arguably the most recognized sport boat ever created, the Donzi “Sweet 16” boasts a pedigree like none other and are considered the Ferraris of boating.

Condition report:

This description is meant to be straightforward, warts and all, to provide interested parties with details that can be addressed to bring this this Donzi up to the condition it was in the day it was delivered. Someone familiar with classic boats might find that the Donzi is in better condition than this report would otherwise suggest as a result.

Deck and hull: The decals are older but serviceable (see Donzi Direct for OEM replacements). There are two areas on the hull that appear to have been repaired (not to factory levels), but they are reversible. One repair is approximately 2”x1/2” on the hull and a second repair is around the drain on the transom. There’s a chip in the gelcoat approximately 1”x1/2”x1/4″ on the starboard hull in need of minor fiberglass filler and gelcoat repair. There is a scratch on the top of the engine cover. There are a number of chips and scratches in the Donzi’s gelcoat, all of which appear to be straightforward gelcoat repairs. There is an area with rust stains in the ski compartment. The Donzi has very limited spider cracking (limited to two small areas that we could find) and none of crazing that often plagues boats of this vintage. Despite these imperfections, the 47 year-old gelcoat shines deep, per the photos. This is the kind of solid foundation collectors seek out and rarely find.

Engine: The Ford Cobra’s engine hour meter reads 54.20 hours at the time of this post. The engine starts, idles and engine runs strong, topping out at 55 MPH on the Donzi’s speedometer during the most recent run (July 12, 2021). Please note, there’s an oil leak coming from somewhere on the engine. The initial assessment of a professional mechanic is that the source are the valve cover gaskets. It is unconfirmed at this time if this is the only source. The engine starts and idles smoothly. The starter and alternator were recently replaced. Being a marinized Ford engine, parts are readily available.

Outdrive: The Volvo Penta 270 outdrive is in fair aesthetic condition. It shifts from neutral to forward and reverse well, as expected. The Morse controller is a joy to use. The outdrive was painted by a previous owner in off-white. There is a section of shift cable housing that is damaged and this cable needs to be replaced as a result. Some of the rubber parts on the outdrive have overspray.

Bilges: The bilge appears to be in unmodified condition with the exception of two 1” holes in the battery compartment. While these holes are covered by the original battery cover when in place, they do appear to be easily corrected. Note: the bilge has been detailed, but because of an oil leak (described above) there may be some oil present in the bilge.

Gauges: The gauges are believed to be a mix of original (speedometer), factory optioned and replacement gauges. The temperature gauge is not functioning reliably. The cause is believed to be either a bad sending unit, bad thermostat or a loose connection.

Battery: The battery appears to be older but it’s taking a full charge. It starts the engine as expected.

Brightwork: The grab rail has blemishes but is in overall good condition. The rub rail is believed to be original but it’s in poor aesthetic condition. However, it’s fully serviceable and may be restorable (and it’s replaceable, of course). All other brightwork is believed to be original and ranges from fair to good condition.

Lights: Both the navigation and anchor lights function as expected. The telescoping stern/anchor light’s height adjustment also functions as expected.

Cushions: The cushions appear to be replacements. They are well made and in good overall condition, with the exception of the zippers and foam inserts. The zippers appear to be seized (possibly reversible), there are a few pieces of missing snap hardware, and there are several scuffs in the vinyl. The set would also benefit from new foam inserts at some point, but they are currently functional. At least one cushion’s foam core appeared moderately soiled cleaning. That said, the set presents well as per the photos.

Covers: The cockpit cover is fully functional and in overall good condition with a few areas with a few mildew stains (these have not been detailed, so they might come out). The Donzi’s full cover is also in good, serviceable condition but it does have at least one area with a sewn-in repair.

Trailer: It’s believed that the Rocket trailer is original to the Donzi. It’s in serviceable condition but it’s obviously rough cosmetically. The trailer lights function, the tires and wheels (Michelin Endurance mounted on standard trailer wheels) and trailer bearings were replaced in late-July 2021. Two period-correct Ford trailer wheels are also included. The bunker carpet is in obvious need of replacement cosmetically.

Get in touch with questions and offers. More photos available.

* To watch this boat “at speed”, click here

* To watch another driving video, click here

* To view a cold start video, click here

* To view a “walk around” video, click here