Donzi by Shepherd

Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
Way back in 1965 Shepherd boats of Niagara-on-the-lake, Ontario started to build 16' Donzi Ski Sporter boats under license from a fledgeling company called Donzi Marine of Miami , Florida.

I'm looking for any information (or clues that might lead to information) on any of this operation. Documentation, contacts, suppliers, former employees, owners, restorers ....any and all information welcome and appreciated.

Thanks,
Sean
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
Thanks Nathan,

I have already been at this site and am in contact with it's author (Mr. Shepherds grandson). They have almost nothing on the Donzi chapter and mostly concentrate on the woodies...
 
nathan

nathan

Active Member
that's all I can find. seems like they are either rare boats or no one keep information on them.
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
Thanks Chris,
Lots of wooden Shepherds around....

Quite a few 16' Ski Sporter Donzi-Shepherds were made. Many people are unaware their Donzi was made in St.Catharines and assume it was made in Florida. S-Donzis were sold in Canada and the North -Eastern United States.

The early Florida, US Production boats had no markings to distinguish each hull other than some majic marker in a couple of places. the production markings on the Shepherd-Donzis is unknown at this time. S-Donzis were built to the same specs as the early Florida boats were, however the Florida boats evolved (thicker stringers, clamshell vents etc...) while the S-Donzis remained unchanged.

One particular difference is found in the engine hatch re-enforcement where some glassed in PVC pipe runs parallel to the keel. US made boats did not have this.

I have received quite a bit of information on these boats from pretty reliable sources however, getting the info from 2 or more seperate sources really nails it down. I am also looking for any records of how long they were produced, production numbers, numbering system and any other information that people may have on the Shepherd-Donzi operation.

To be clear, this is strictly about the Shepherd made fiberglass, DONZI Ski Sporter 16' models that were produced under license starting in 1965.

Thanks all...

S.
 
Last edited:
Chris

Chris

Administrator
Staff member
Were the glass ones made by the same company as the wooden ones?

-Chris
 
Sean

Sean

Well-Known Member
Yes. But, there were no "wooden Donzis".
Shepherd was an established business that made a very good and well respected product. They made everything from small outboard runabouts to large cruisers.

When Fiberglass construction came along, they made a license agreement to produce Donzi Ski Sporters (and later 18 2+3 models) alongside their regular product offering. Donzi was a brand new company in 1964. However, the founder Don Aronow was well known throughout the marine industry for his boat racing accomplishments. Don sold the company in 1965 and at that time Shepherd made the agreement with the new owners.

As we know, fiberglass construction proved to be the future and Shepherd boats were incredibly insightful when they made this agreement. Unfortunately, they never really converted all their resources and went out of business... as did most of the Canadian boat builders that didn't convert.
 
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