1959 Dorsett Catalina

Mr5cott

Cadet
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Oct 25, 2013
Messages
24
Hi all, I am new here and to boats in general. After years of lusting after sailboats and maybe building one I decided to get sensible and try and tackle a project I can do right now.

I had previously discovered Dorsetts (Catalinas, San Juans, Farralons) and really liked them. Low and behold while searching CL one day and a bit farther from home I found one in need of a good home and TONS of TLC. Not sure if I am allowed to post the listing So I will just say it is a '59 Catalina that has been gutted, sanded down to the glass, had transom re wooded but not glassed yet. Stringers look ok. Seller says he has most of the trim as far as he can tell. It is missing the top glass for thew helm/Top of cabin. It does come with a trailer with decent tires and bearings are reported good.

The listing is for $750 and yes I know that is high. He also states in his ad "These boats sell for 10K and up when restored" After lots of research I know this is not the case.

I go today to look at it and make an offer. It is about 200 miles away and then if we make a deal I will have to enlist a neighbor to help me go pick it up as I do not have a truck currently.

Why am I posting this here? Just to share and hopefully get suggestions etc on the resto process. I will try to post pics off the CL posting.

Wish me luck!Dorsett1.jpg
Dorsetttransom.jpg
 

jigngrub

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Mar 19, 2011
Messages
8,155
Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

The knucklehead that cut the glass off the transom of that boat to replace the wood screwed that boat up!... and now he wants to sell it for money???

Glassing that transom back in now is going to be hard to do. It's going to be hard to make it look decent and even harder to make it as strong as it was.

I think I would pass on that boat, or if you really like it and want to mess with trying to fix it offer $100 for it.

Edited:

On second thought, tell him you'll haul it away if he pays you $100.

I'm sure there's more rot in that boat, the stringers and deck are probably shot too.
 
Last edited:

Mr5cott

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Oct 25, 2013
Messages
24
Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

Yes right and seller states that supposedly it was a project boat from a Marine shop and they did the transom work. Of course I really want it and while agree offering $100 would be just, I know he wont settle for that. There is the trailer, and all the trim so that is something. Some say I am crazy and I cannot argue that but I have hope I can make it work somehow.
 

Mr5cott

Cadet
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Oct 25, 2013
Messages
24
Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

to the edit...Rest assured I will be examining the stringers and also that ply along the hull bottom.
 

Mr5cott

Cadet
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Oct 25, 2013
Messages
24
Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

I leave in about an hour on this trip. While the advice so far is right on the mark, I feel I can tackle this and if nothing else a learning experience. If I can make some good of it then I have overcome some major obstacles on this boat.

If I do indeed get it there may be some very humorous posts about it here and for sure a good laugh to be had.
 

jigngrub

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Mar 19, 2011
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8,155
Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

I wish you all the best and the best of luck with this project. I admire anyone that's willing to take on a tough project and that will try to make something good out of something bad!

I'll be glad to follow along on this thread and help any way I can.

I can see why you like this boat enough to save her from the hands of a knucklehead, she has some really nice lines and is a classic... and while your restoration job could've been made a lot easier had the PO done the transom right, he probably wouldn't be selling it had he not mangled and mucked up the transom job. Even though this job won't be easy (relatively speaking) it is fixable... and with your good attitude I'm sure it will be a job you can be proud of once you're finished.

Looking forward to see more pics of the boat and watching your progress on this project!
 

jbcurt00

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Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

Tagging along.

Post up more pix after you pick her up
 

saginawbayboater

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Mar 8, 2012
Messages
677
Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

Tagging along as well. Hopefully they have the skin off the transom.
 

Woodonglass

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Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,924
Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

You do realize the amount of work required to restore the stern of the boat? Make sure he realizes the amount of money and time that it will take to re-do this.
 

Mr5cott

Cadet
Joined
Oct 25, 2013
Messages
24
Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

I am back from a 400 mile round trip.

The condition was worse than imagined along with the rotting stringers that I had previously been told were fine with no rot.
Well sad to say (Not really) I generously offered $250 and he spazed out. I told him he would have a hard time finding a buyer so if for some reason he decides that $250 is better than nothing, he has my number. I did take lots of pics and I can post if anyone wants to have a laugh and really critique this poor boat that has been butchered.

One day I will find another Catalina that will take the Merc 650 outboard I bought for $100. Those boats are around, it is just a matter of the right price/condition, and distance. Off to browse and drool yet again looking for that proverbial carrot to dangle in front of my hungry eyes.
 

jigngrub

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Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

By all means post the pics, we love the boat porn... even if it's old, rotten, and torn up!
 

Mr5cott

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Oct 25, 2013
Messages
24
Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

Shall I include the CL post as well? I should check it as he may have already dropped the price.
 

jc55

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Nov 3, 2006
Messages
665
Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

I'd pay $750 if I couldn't find one easily. That would make a great winter boat with a heater. $250, $400, $700, $399. We'll spend a few hundred on chrome non essentials, but skimp a couple hundred on the rolling stock...you know you wanna :p Heehee
 

jigngrub

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Mar 19, 2011
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8,155
Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

That boat would've actually been worth more if he had left it rotten and not butchered it up like he did, may have even been worth the $750 asking price.

I know what he did, he mangled that transom and then realized his foolishness and now he wants to sell it because he can't or doesn't know how to fix it.
 

Mr5cott

Cadet
Joined
Oct 25, 2013
Messages
24
Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

For me, two things major against this boat. The butcher job, and the lying about the stringers etc. Anyways lessons learned. Yes Jc55 it would indeed make a great winter boat. Just from my research I know I can get Hulls and even complete boats (Dorsett Catalina) in far better condition for the same amount or less. Too bad I am stuck on this catalina style or else there was a 60's Larsen runabout complete for $800 near the location I saw this boat at. So the search goes on. No I don't absolutely need a complete or perfect boat, but I do need a decent platform to work off of.
 

jbcurt00

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Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

Post up your location, someone might spot a Dorsett that's closer to you then 1 in Grand Rapids:


Like red?

Best of luck finding your THE ONE!
 

Mr5cott

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Oct 25, 2013
Messages
24
Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

Yes I have seen pretty much all that are for sale in USA and Canada haha. My problem is I don't have a truck. After xmas will be bringing home my Dads Mazda so now a Pseudo truck. As far as my location, It is Colorado. West of Colorado springs. I have even contemplated trying to work out a deal with a seller of a really nice Catalina in Sacramento area...1959 Dorsett Catalina

Since I will be bringing the Mazda back and driving right by there. Not sure if the Mazda can handle towing up and over the mountains.
 

jbcurt00

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Re: 1959 Dorsett Catalina

If you go over Donner Pass at Reno @Xmas I wouldn't consider towing that boat back w/ you in a Ford Ranger sized pickup. I've driven Wendover, NV to San Francisco thru Reno & Donner Pass @Dec 15. Going up to Truckee thru Donner was no problem, down towards Auburn was NO FUN....

What were you going to tow the Dorsett back yesterday with?

You saw the white one in Meridian, Idaho?
 
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