The Eva Elizabeth-1959 Dorsett Farallon

[togoodwin]

It's Dorsett Farallon and I have no idea what I am doing. I have never refurbished a boat in my life and now I have a 22 foot Dorsett Farallon that needs a ton of work. The interior is a wreck but the hull seems to be in tact, rough but intact. I am going to upload pictures and can anyone tell me exactly what year it might be or any other information for that matter and also there is a number on the stern just above the name, is that the model or serial number and is there a way to get the specs on this boat? Sorry for being such a know nothing but I guess everyone has to start somewhere. Well, thanks everybody for having me and I look forward to learning as much as I can and maybe getting to know some new friends.

 

[gm280]

:welcome: togoodwin, seems you picked a pretty ambitious boat project. Have you read through these forums with other boat projects to get an idea as to the amount of dirty, messy, itchy, sweaty work you have coming? If you have the time, MONEY, and willingness to see this trough, you've come to the best place for such assistance. There are plenty of quality folks on here to see you through your project. So if you are willing and have the means to do this project, let's get it going... First thing is take many many pictures now of everything before you even move it. And after you save all those pictures, clean out the inside and take tons more before you do anything else. Because I guarantee you will not remember every little detail later on when things are going back together and wished you took pictures to help out. The move this to where you want to do the work, and clean it out. Post those pictures and we will start with suggestions to go further... Others will chime in here as well and offer their assessment... :thumb:

 

[Frank Acampora]

WOW! That's my kind of boat.

Remember: The longest journey begins with the first step. Don't look at the big picture (yet) It will discourage you. Start with small goals. Start by cleaning out the hull completely--get rid of all the junk. Then move on the next achievable goal.

You may get better help over in the restoration forum.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Wow that's a neat looking boat. She looks like she's been pretty neglected, but with a little time, elbow grease, and money she could be a real nice craft.

:welcome: to iboats and the dry dock. I agree with Frank this thread would generate allot more help in the resto forum. Good luck, and post up pics of the work as you get it done, or as you have questions about the repairs.

 

[smokeonthewater]

I only differ on one point... I think a good long look at the big picture might be a very good idea.... If you are willing to put a LOT of money into it and a LOT MORE work into it you could end up w a real cool old boat.

BUT if your thought is that with a few weekends of work you could save a lot of money over buying a newer boat you are most likely in for a heartache.

Most people would look at that and think it just needs some 'interior work' when in reality most likely the only part of the hull that is still salvageable is the outer skin... All of the structure is likely to be rotten and If that be the case it is a HUGE project to rebuild it.

Definately read through a few "soft spot in the floor" threads in the restoration section to see what lies in store.

IF you are one of they few amongst us crazy enough (in a good way) to follow through with such a restoration I very much look forward to seeing the finished product.

 

[eddie haskell]

Well, listen to your heart, as I think it is more about love and attachment than "reason".
I have sit on this boat, a 1959 Glasspar Seafair for 2 years now, and all I have thus far is a dream, or hope, of what she might be again some day.
I have always been around the water my whole life, and this was the very first boat that ever tugged on my heart way back in the 60's ( I am 62 ) and I always wanted one, even when I bought other boats, they never dispelled that hope....
I may never realize that dream, sometimes life gets in the way, but just having it close keeps the embers burning and the hope alive.
I look at the cherry ones others have done, almost like porn but buying a tricked one is not the same as connecting to one that is in need of love, which, brings the circle back to its origination of reasoning....

Here is mine:



BTW, I could dance with your gal too, she is grand ol' gal with character and style.

Good luck on your journey, enjoy it for what it is.

 

[togoodwin]

Thanks guys and yeah I know it's gonna be a long haul but I want her to be all she can be and dance like she used to. So I will keep picking all of your brains for ways to make this happen. More later when I get more pics and get her all cleaned out and then more pics. PS: Does anyone know her origin and/or a little bit more about her? Also what about the number on the back, serial number or model number? Later.

 

[togoodwin]

Named her the Eva Elizabeth!

 

[smokeonthewater]

I would tend to think that number was possibly added by an owner along the way..... I could certainly be wrong there but it just doesn't strike me as an oem location.... Hard to say for sure.

I guess you don't have a title?

Have you looked into the laws in your state regarding gaining legal ownership of the boat?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Some good info here:

http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/Dorsett

 

[bonz_d]

I personally think the Dorsett and the Glasspar day cruisers are two of the coolest sexiest old day cruisers that were ever built. Just wish I had the time, money and resources to do one. In this area of Wisconsin those Dorsett's are very rare and it's hard to find one in any condition. They are just not around. The Glasspar Sea Fair I can usually run across 1 or 2 every year.

I wish you all the best in your pursuit with this one. These folks here can get you through the worst of anything.

 

[cptrick3]

Can't wait to look back on this a year from now and see your progress. I wish you well.

 

[UncleWillie]

... I guess you don't have a title?
Have you looked into the laws in your state regarding gaining legal ownership of the boat?

+1.
The Title will have the Model and Year on it.

This is step #1.
You may have possession of it, but without the Title in your name, you will not be able to register it or place it on any public waters.
It will just be a beautiful yard decoration, that the legal owner will be able to reposes at any time.
Get the Title issue cleared up before you spend another dime.

 

[togoodwin]

Guy that had it also has a manufactured home, storage and RV sales business. Legal stuff was handled by their legal department. I think that it was originally a stored boat but the person died and it just stayed on in their back lot for many many years. The company filed in district court for an abandoned property order which made them legal owner after the decision came back. They then filed for new title under the abandonment laws for the state and because it is considered dilapidated according to state law it only cost the court fees and one dollar to the new owner. Also does anyone know about this motor, mix fuel or what? Never worked on one before or had one for that matter.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Yep 50:1 premium PREFERABLY non ethanol

Do a search for mercury tower of power link n sync and do that.

 

[sphelps]

Welcome Aboard ! Very cool project ! It will take a lot of time and money but if ya do a little at a time it can be a fun enjoyable project .. Gunna need some proper PPE to start with ..
Once you get her all pretty again and splashed the coolest thing is all the attention that she will get ! I know for me I have never put mine in the water without at least a couple people stopping and checking it out . Had to roll my window down at traffic lights on many occasions with folks wanting to comment on it ..
Good luck and let us know how we can help !

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard!! I'm with sphelps: VERY cool project.

In 1959 Dorsett partnered up with industrial designer Raymond Loewy and he styled their recreational boats, most notably the Catalina but all of them were Loewy influenced. Loewy was a styling genius - the Studabaker Avanti, the S1 Steam Locomotive, USCG Logo and Stripe and Coca-Cola's 1950's bottles were all his designs among many other things you'd recognize pretty easily.

Make it pretty again!!

 

[coolbri70]

that is a cool looking boat. hope you can save her

 

[togoodwin]

Hull Repair For My Dorsett

Greetings all. Just thought it would be a good idea to ask a couple of questions before I get started. What's a good brand for the best repair material for cracks and gashes and should all of the fiberglass be refinished or what and how do I get the color back? Can I paint her with a special paint or is there something else for fiberglass I should be using for hull and cabin color. Oh yeah and what grit should I use when working the hull? Sorry. I'm not very knowledgeable at all but I learn fast. Here's a picture of the gashes I am talking about. (I will have her off of the trailer while I am working on her).

 

[Woodonglass]

You might want to keep all your posts in 1 project thread as the Forum Rules and Guidelines recommend. It makes it a lot easier for the members to keep track of what you're doing. The Gel Coat on this old girl is really badly oxidized. Not sure it can be salvaged but you could try. What's required is to clean and wash it really well with Tri Sodium Phosphate (TSP, Get it a Lowe's) and then do "Wet Water Sanding" (Put some dish soap in water and then use Wet-Dry Sandpaper) to sand thru the oxidized gel coat. The problem is you may sand thru the gel coat before you get all the oxidation off. However, on these older boats the Gel Coat was sometimes applied fairly thick soooo.. you might luck out and get the job done. I'd recommend starting with 180 grit and work up to 1000 grit on 2 sq. Ft. spot and see what happens.

As for the scratches and gouges...You'll need to buy some gel coat and cabosil to make a gel coat paste. Knock off all the loose gel coat and sand and feather the damaged area to prep it and then Acetone wash it really well. Then apply the paste. It should be as thick as Mayonaise or a bit thicker. Getting it to match the old color will be your biggest problem but with patience you should be able to get pretty close. Once it sets up and cures (4-6 hours) sand it down to 1000 grit then polish as before . Dremel tool with a V-Bit works great on Scratches. On really small stuff you can use 3M Premium Filler.

Keep posting pics and asking questions. We'll be here for you.

You can PM an Moderator and ask him to combine your posts into one thread, and rename it to reflect the Name of your Full project if you'd like.