You know the feeling...

[h20loo]

Came across this add and I'm really not looking for a boat and I don't need a project. It just keeps calling my name tho and I do have a tire...
This must have been an awesome boat in its day. Anybody know the history of these?

http://daytona.craigslist.org/boa/2389497324.html

[gcarter]

Am I missing something, or is there no price posted?
These boats were truly amazing. Kind of complicated, and usually need everything at this point.
Probably a bit much for an amateur, and a good size job for someone w/a good shop and some talent.
Good luck w/whatever you decide.

[Carl C]

keep looking...............

[h20loo]

keep looking...............

... not what my wife sez LOL!

Funny when I look at that boat I only see the finished boat. I don 't see the stringers,the gell, the motors, the drives, the wifes bags packed on the porch!!
I finished my second correct craft this winter with all of the above except the wife only went to Florida and I'm in the middle of restoring a farm house, so if it weren't raining so hard, I never would have seen this. I think its time to get a raincoat!

Sure do like the lines of that boat though.

[Carl C]

... not what my wife sez LOL!

Funny when I look at that boat I only see the finished boat. I don 't see the stringers,the gell, the motors, the drives, the wifes bags packed on the porch!!
I finished my second correct craft this winter with all of the above except the wife only went to Florida and I'm in the middle of restoring a farm house, so if it weren't raining so hard, I never would have seen this. I think its time to get a raincoat!

Sure do like the lines of that boat though.

I just can't see putting that much work, time and money into that boat unless you really enjoy doing that kind of thing.

[Conquistador_del_mar]

It would be an awesome boat if you decide to restore it - :yes:. If you have restored Correct Crafts, you probably have all the abilities necessary. I believe they were only made for a couple years in the mid 70s. Bill

[silverghost]

The radical aft bottom paint angle line does nothing for the overall look of this boat.

[h20loo]

Ya, won't be happening. I haven't done a restoration or even a resuscitation that didn't leave me at least upside down for my labour. I've followed Georges thread and love the boat bbut the time and talent and money....you gotta love it!

BTW- I'm just curious but were these boats rare by Donzi standards? I never saw one before but there was no mention on the rare donzi thread.

[h20loo]

The radical aft bottom paint angle line does nothing for the overall look of this boat.

Brad- I couldn't help but wonder if the line changed over the years as the hull soaked up water.

[zelatore]

I agree it would make a great candidate for a resto-mod, but nothing I'm going to take on myself!

And I also wonder about that bottom paint line. It does seem awfully bow-high. Hard to believe it sits at that angle at rest, but I haven't seen one in person to compare it with.

[mk32j]

Ya, won't be happening. I haven't done a restoration or even a resuscitation that didn't leave me at least upside down for my labour. I've followed Georges thread and love the boat bbut the time and talent and money....you gotta love it!

BTW- I'm just curious but were these boats rare by Donzi standards? I never saw one before but there was no mention on the rare donzi thread.

Well just a matter of conversation here is mine with a single 424ci stroker and a 280t drive from 1973.

http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=63722&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1305207017 (http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=63722&d=1305207017) http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=63723&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1305207017 (http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=63723&d=1305207017) http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=63724&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1305207017 (http://www.donzi.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=63724&d=1305207017)

[zelatore]

Ya, won't be happening. I haven't done a restoration or even a resuscitation that didn't leave me at least upside down for my labour. I've followed Georges thread and love the boat bbut the time and talent and money....you gotta love it!

BTW- I'm just curious but were these boats rare by Donzi standards? I never saw one before but there was no mention on the rare Donzi thread.


If you're expecting to get your money out of a restoration you're doing it for the wrong reasons! Even if you 'pay' yourself a dollar an hour it's generally cheaper to buy a project somebody else already did. Of course, if you really enjoy the process or just want a boat exactly to your specs then go for it. If I had the money, I know I would.

As for the Doral being rare, I haven't heard it described that way but I would consider it to be rare. Maybe not rare as in highly valuable or desirable (though I really like the look I can see how others might not) but certainly not something you see often.

[joseph m. hahnl]

BTW- I'm just curious but were these boats rare by Donzi standards? I never saw one before but there was no mention on the rare donzi thread.




http://www.donzi.net/forums/image.php?u=540&dateline=1269607759
Originally Posted by mattyboy http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.offshoreonly.com/get/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/classic-offshore/210368-24-donzi-spitfire.html#post2882468)
www.donzi.org (http://www.donzi.org)
www.lgdonziclassic.com (http://www.lgdonziclassic.com)


the 24 donzi hull came in several forms

the spitfire which is like most donzi classic a 2 +3 seating with no cuddy

the spirit was a cuddy cabin version with a metal framed windshield

the doral was a cuddy with high back fiberglass molded seat with a storage compartment it also had a very unique fiberglass framed windshield

the el peascador a fishing version CC

the hulls were "monohull" construction, from what i understand that the tub/deck and the hull were glued together to form one piece

they ride very well but need real power to get them moving and need alot of trim to get them up and going

there is a very nice single in MI for sale now most were twin sbc and volvos

I have been searching for an old one that ran on my lake
"jamseyboy" it had warmed up sbc and volvo edrives

check out the model list on www.donzi.org (http://www.donzi.org) it has picstures of all of the 24 models

BTW the 24 was designed by harry scheoll (sp) and the molds went on to sonic and other mfgr's from what i heard al the 4 models same hull with different modular pieces that made them different

made from 74 to 77 by donzi in the variuos 4 models all of which are pretty uncommon

the spitfire is the rarest of the 4 have not seen many el pescadors either

[boldts]

The Donzi Doral in my opinion is an incredably rare Donzi model. The reason you don't see a lot of them around or writings about them is because there just are not that many of them out there.

The dk green one they show I believe is from Northern Ohio. I believe it is run on Lake Erie and out of the Sandusky area. I may be wrong though.

As for the water line, remember it is only a 24' boat with twin small blocks and drives. Not a single engine and drive. Now if your looking for maybe better cruising mileage, you might pull those V8s and go with an aluminum V6 to take some of the weight out of the transom. So while maybe a bit exagerated, the water line may be very close to where they are showing it. They I'm sure did extra if the boat was sitting in salt water.

It's a big restoration yes, but if like Zelatore said your only doing it to then sell it, you won't make your money back, but if you restore this Classic for you and wanting a Donzi that almost no one else has, I feel it is well worth the effort.

Good luck in what-ever decision you make. If you do, can't wait to watch your progress with her.

[MOP]

Very cool find! I think the seller is quite cleaver just posting pictures and no price, the right person will come up with decent dollars. Resto or some of the other possible paths, It would be nice to see it brought back original. Going to cost some $$$ most any direction you take. The seller will be watching his emails closely!

Phil

[dsparis]

Hey mk32j Thats a beautiful boat, guess you're not part of the "clique"

[mk32j]

Hey mk32j Thats a beautiful boat, guess you're not part of the "clique"

Thanks for the kind words and (kudos) and yea it does seem to be evident but its all good, I don't need to be stroked to find a benefit in being a member of this forum:yes:, and like all "cliques" :shocking: there pretty isolated, but There are still loads of genuine people who comment and applaud with no underlining reason:angel:

[h20loo]

MK- thanks for posting, that is a beautiful boat and yellow is my favourite donzi colour. Let me know if you post anymore pics.
I wont be bidding on this boat but I will start doing my homework on these dorals in case another one comes up in the future. The laminate construction and roller trailer make me want to see the boat before I go bidding. The cosmetics,mechanical and interior can be fixed but a hooked or warped hull is more than I want.
Thanks to everyone else for the info.

[mk32j]

Well speaking for my boat only but mine is on a full roller trailer and is a 73 Hin # DMR2421730 it was a FW boat for all but 4 yrs of its life till I acquired it, and I've been slowly rebuilding it on a budget, the boat rides like a much larger boat and you will probably really love the hull if your not into 70 mph speeds cause it is heavy and very solid and dry so good luck with finding one.:lookaroun:

I'll try to post up some more pics soon.

[Conquistador_del_mar]

Well speaking for my boat only but mine is on a full roller trailer and is a 73 Hin # DMR2421730 it was a FW boat for all but 4 yrs of its life till I acquired it, and I've been slowly rebuilding it on a budget, the boat rides like a much larger boat and you will probably really love the hull if your not into 70 mph speeds cause it is heavy and very solid and dry so good luck with finding one.:lookaroun:

I'll try to post up some more pics soon.

I would really like to see more pictures of your boat. You state the very reasons that I believe it would be a great boat to restore. Offhand, do you know the weight with twin SBCs? Bill

[mk32j]

I would really like to see more pictures of your boat. You state the very reasons that I believe it would be a great boat to restore. Offhand, do you know the weight with twin SBCs? Bill

Thanks for your interest.
Well I weighed mine for the trailer tag for ****s and giggles and it weighed #5920 lbs with trailer, full of fuel (100 gals) a sbc 400 stock everything.and a volvo 280 t.

Then I splashed the boat and weighed just the trailer #1550 for the trailer so around #4370 boat,full tank of fuel and all necessary accessories.

Hope it helps

[silverghost]

If you look at the old Donzi Doral sales catalog photo above in this website's model listing it appears to be sitting hard aground in the mud.
The stern looks very high in that photo.
It would be interesting to really see how a twin-engine Doral really sits at rest in the water

The Doral looks like a great boat~
I have never seen one in person.

[f_inscreenname]

BTW the 24 was designed by harry scheoll (sp) and the molds went on to sonic and other mfgr's from what i heard al the 4 models same hull with different modular pieces that made them different
[/quote]

Sure about that?
I thought the 24' Donzi came from the stretched out 7 meter that was drawn by Dick Cole.
On a side note it sure looks like a Brownie boat.