3250 LXC; 3250 Express

The Donzi 3250 (called the 3250 LXC in 1996–98 and the 3250 Express in 1999-2000) is an aggressively designed family cruiser whose principal appeal was an affordable price and impressive performance. (Indeed, she’ll run circles around her inboard-powered counterparts although sterndrives may not appeal to everyone in a 32-footer.) Built on a deep-V hull with a wide 11-foot beam and single-piece inner liner, the interior of the Z32 sleeps four with double berths forward and a convertible semicircular dinette. The head is conveniently located just inside the companionway (where it’s easily accessible from the cockpit), and a folding door provides privacy in the forward stateroom. Headroom is excellent thanks to the boat’s high freeboard and raised cabintop. On deck, a cockpit wet bar is opposite the double-wide helm seat. Unlike most other family cruisers her size, the Z32 has a centerline transom door and facing settees in the cockpit (rather than an offset transom door and a big U-shaped settee). Additional features include wide side decks, an integral swim platform with transom shower, and a windlass. A good performer, twin 310hp MerCruiser I/Os cruise at 28 knots (40+ top).