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Thread: Need help with restoring a 1966 Donzi St Tropez

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    Post Need help with restoring a 1966 Donzi St Tropez

    I need some help with pictures or any information on a 1966 Donzi St Tropez. I found one that has been completely disassembled and I am in the process of restoring this classic. I am in need of pictures of the center console and flooring area. Any help is greatly appreciated.

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    Hey donzitoy, welcome to the donzi registry. I see you are not too far away in Orlando. there are actually a lot of donzi's in and around you area. If you even feel like bringing your boat to a get together, or just coming and hi9nging out (there are always open seats), keep an eye out for posts that say SEADOGS (south east area donzi owners group).

    anyway, here are a couplf of pics for ya. post some of your boat when you get a chance, we would love to see them.

    fish
    "Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." - Henry David Thoreau

    SEADOGs TampaBay
    SEADOG Outlaws- George is our king, all hail King George!!!


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    also, here is a thread you might want to check out.

    fish

    St. Tropez Thread
    "Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." - Henry David Thoreau

    SEADOGs TampaBay
    SEADOG Outlaws- George is our king, all hail King George!!!


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    Thanks for the info to get me started.

    fishboy, thanks for the info to get me started. I am presently digging this boat out. I have attached some pictures to show how it is all beginning. I have some decisions to make like if I want to repower the boat. It's a big project but one I will enjoy. Keep the information coming.

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    Hey Donzitoy

    There are only a few of us on here .. I have been restoring my '66 St Tropez for 3 years now... Am just about at the painting stage (after we make the new cutout in the transom)

    It's kind of hard to tell in the photo , but something looks different about your cockpit sole. The engine area looks correct, even though the floor insert for the engine box is removed, but the floor looks like it's missing the large removable insert that the console and lazarette hatch fit in.
    Like maybe work has been done to the floor unit already ? ?

    What are your plans here ... be warned, you're going to have to do the forward tank if all is original !

    Steve
    Just because something's old doesn't mean you throw it away !

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    Hey Steve,
    I am in the process of digging this boat out. I am not sure what all has been done other than a new tank has been put in and there are sections of the floor on the ground next to the boat. I am looking for pictures to find out what is missing. The bottom of the hull has been completely redone and painted and that is where the project stopped about 3 years ago. The engine and outdrive are in a shed and from what I understand the lower unit has a hole in it. I am deciding on if I am going to repower the boat with a merc or stay original. This will probably sound like a dumb question but what is the large removable insert that the console and lazarette hatch fit in that you refered to? The center console is intact I just did not take a picture of it yet. Here is a picture of the motor and outdrive. Are you redoing your transom for a new power unit or was there other issues?
    Any and all help is appreciated.

    Mike

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    Hi Mike ,

    As you know these are OLD boats .
    I had gotten a good 17 years out of mine (bought it 'in' in '87).
    Looking back now there was many issues although it was basically just two that started me out on the massive effort this has become.The forward fuel tank was no good from day one (running around with a V8 and a 24 gallon tank gets tedious after a while) and I did'nt want to cut the boat up to get to it. Secondly it allowed me to re-core the cockpit sole at the same time as there were cracks in the floor on either side of the console. The powerplant was getting a bit shaky.. although the Ford 351 served me well all the 'black stuff' behind it called out for constant maintenance so the whole transom was redone also to accept new Volvo power. I definitely think I caught it in time as there was numerous other things I have discovered along the way. Board member 'Sierra' is also nearing completion of his St Tropez resto , so you might hear from him as well.

    With the console removed I should be able to see a large square cutout in the panel it sits in that in turn mounts into the floor. There will be another large square cutout in front of that one for the lazarette hatch that accesses storage under the floor in front of the console.

    You say there is a new tank .. do you mean the rear tank (the one that fits under the console) or the front tank.. (obscured under the floor/bow storage area) ?

    Mine had over the years developed two deflections in the hull bottom about 18" forward of the transom on the strakes that run full length. Like accidental 'hooks' they had to be fixed. There was also structural fractures in the glass in these areas.. like I said, two issues led to MANY !

    As far as wondering what you have in terms of 'pieces' .....
    if you consider the boat ..(hull,innerlinerfloor,deck) as ONE piece , but is completely gutted, you should have another 12 pieces on hand. I did'nt include the cover that goes on the front of the console that accesses the instruments/steering as it is not a fiberglass piece. Does this sound like what you have ?

    You can only imagine how many good times lie ahead of you
    Steve
    Just because something's old doesn't mean you throw it away !

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    Steve,
    Ok it sounds like I may be introuble from the beginning. Counting the boat as one piece. I have the center console and engine cover. Doesn't sound like I am doing too well. I have all the hatches and currently unsure about the flooring. Does this boat have two fuel tanks? I guess I have some more digging out to do.

    Thanks,
    Mike
    mike in florida

    1966 St. Tropez
    under restoration

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    Hi Mike ,

    Yes .. the St T has two tanks ..... at least mine did and I know that the front one had been there since day one and was about 22 gals of the total advertised tankage of 40-42 gallons.

    In terms of 'hatches only' you should have a total of 6.. they will be assorted sizes/shapes .. only 2 are the same (fish box inserts at the transom). Like I said , it's hard to tell looking at the floor in your picture.It could be complete but it's difficult to tell .. maybe another photo looking fwd from stern of boat with the floor swept clean would help.

    An amazing amount of tooling went into the St Tropez although it was'nt reflected in it's price compared to the Hornet.

    Don't despair .... If you plan on having this a long time as I did and still do, take your time .. otherwise it will drive you nuts .. or maybe even worse ....

    Steve

    btw .... I hope it is'nt percieved (for whatever reason ) that I'm hogging this thread !
    Just because something's old doesn't mean you throw it away !

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    Quote Originally Posted by Morgan's Cloud
    Hi Mike ,

    Yes .. the St T has two tanks ..... at least mine did and I know that the front one had been there since day one and was about 22 gals of the total advertised tankage of 40-42 gallons.

    In terms of 'hatches only' you should have a total of 6.. they will be assorted sizes/shapes .. only 2 are the same (fish box inserts at the transom). Like I said , it's hard to tell looking at the floor in your picture.It could be complete but it's difficult to tell .. maybe another photo looking fwd from stern of boat with the floor swept clean would help.

    An amazing amount of tooling went into the St Tropez although it was'nt reflected in it's price compared to the Hornet.

    Don't despair .... If you plan on having this a long time as I did and still do, take your time .. otherwise it will drive you nuts .. or maybe even worse ....

    Steve

    btw .... I hope it is'nt percieved (for whatever reason ) that I'm hogging this thread !
    You got a great project there
    it does appear that there is something different or modified about your floor.

    You may be able to see some of the outlines of the floor in the attached picture. I will be taking my floor panels out again this week if you need any photos send an email or give me a call.

    I look at all the work that people are doing on these boats and it is awesome. I am very curious about
    fuel tank placement size
    diamond plate floor restoration

    Anyone that is willing or would like to talk about St. Tropez give me a call any time
    860 944 1210
    David Hartmann

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    Thanks for the info.

    David,

    Thanks for the information. I looked around and took more pictures. The flooring has been re done and it looks like they butchered it. I did find the old flooring as you can see in the pictures by the fence. It appears that there was only one tank in this boat towards the bow and I will be ripping up the old floor to expose it and redo the flooring back to original. So I now see the 3 openings in the floor counting the opening for the engine compartment. Any pictures of your floor, tank(s), center console and where the deck meets the rear by the engine compartment would be greatly appreciated. I will also be ropowering this boat just not sure which way to go about it. I am a merc fan but open to all options at this point. I have seen the pictures and the excellent job Lyncha00 has done with his boat and the desiel.

    Thanks,
    mike in florida

    1966 St. Tropez
    under restoration

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    Oh yeah Mike ,

    Someone's done a number on that floor for sure.
    Unfortunately that kind of job also puts the fuel tank , new or otherwise, into question also.

    My guess is you'll have to remove the floor and start again. At least you have the original stuff that's all been cut away so you know what it's all supposed to look like when done ... I'd recommend recycling it actually .

    If you have'nt yet bought this boat, my guess is the owner should be practically giving it to you !

    Keep us updated for sure .

    Steve
    Just because something's old doesn't mean you throw it away !

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    If you think you may want to give up, give me a shout. I like these projects the worse shape the better (when I redo I know it is all perfect).

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    Thanks

    Thanks for the offer but I think I will l do just fine.
    mike in florida

    1966 St. Tropez
    under restoration

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    Good luck with restoring your boat.

    This is an old thread and you may be in the water today.
    The St Tropez is always worth restoring if you are in it for a long time.

    Smile - STAFFAN
    Staffan
    Donzi St.Tropez
    Magnum 27 Sport 1972 #178
    Boston Whaler 13 Sport
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