Doral - good or bad?

[ducation]

Hi All. Looking to purchase my first boat. Have my eye on a '99 Doral 270 SC. 7.4/BIII, heat/AC, windlass, full camper, ect new (never used) trailer, fresh water. Looks to be in nice shape with a service history (shift cables, bellows, ect). With Doral being out of business I am a little spooked on parts/service although most are probably generic. A family member had a slightly smaller/older Doral and it was a great boat. Should I be concerned? Anything special to look out for? Thanks

 

[matt167]

Re: Doral - good or bad?

Doral was a premium boat that got hit by the ressession. Most manufacture specific parts only keep stocked for a few years after they were made unless the parts were used for several years. They are not held to the same 10 year requirement as Auto's are.. Doral has also been bought and will be re-tooled and returned to production in time

 

[pckeen]

Re: Doral - good or bad?

Many boat parts are produced and put into multiple different models of boats. By way of example, mercruiser engines are widely used in the boat manufacturing industry. What is the engine in your boat?

 

[southkogs]

Re: Doral - good or bad?

In used boats the condition of the boat itself is a key. The manufacturer of my boat has been gone since the 80's, and my boat was produced in the early 70's. Even with the most cursed of stern drives, I can still get (most) of the parts I need to keep her alive and runnin'. The Doral should be fine if it's in good shape.

It's a Mercruiser on the back, and that helps a lot too.

Welcome aboard.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Doral - good or bad?

Many boat parts are produced and put into multiple different models of boats. By way of example, mercruiser engines are widely used in the boat manufacturing industry. What is the engine in your boat?

OP's post says 7.4L with BIII. That would be a Mercruiser big block with Bravo III sterndrive....

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Doral - good or bad?

I

A family member had a slightly smaller/older Doral and it was a great boat. Thanks

If that older Doral was pre 1990 don't let that experience influence you. The original Doral company went under in the early 90's. Only the name lived on - the companies behind the name are not the same.

 

[boatpoker]

Re: Doral - good or bad?

ALL Dorals regardless of model or year were built with fully balsa cored hulls. The boat should be out of the water a full 24hrs before survey to ensure the moisture meter is not hampered by residual water in the bottom paint and every inch of the botttom should be sounded and metered by a qualified surveyor. Here are a few tips to help you inspect the boat before spending money on a marine surveyor Marine Survey 101

 

[ducation]

Re: Doral - good or bad?

ALL Dorals regardless of model or year were built with fully balsa cored hulls. The boat should be out of the water a full 24hrs before survey to ensure the moisture meter is not hampered by residual water in the bottom paint and every inch of the botttom should be sounded and metered by a qualified surveyor. Here are a few tips to help you inspect the boat before spending money on a marine surveyor Marine Survey 101

Great link/info. Thanks

 

[ducation]

Re: Doral - good or bad?

I

If that older Doral was pre 1990 don't let that experience influence you. The original Doral company went under in the early 90's. Only the name lived on - the companies behind the name are not the same.

I believe it was a '95 or '96. Are there "bad" years for Doral?

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Doral - good or bad?

2012 was a bad year, minimial to zero boats produced.:joyous:

 

[ducation]

Re: Doral - good or bad?

Thanks all for the reply. The Doral shows more cosmetic wear and tear than I would have liked to have seen for a '99. I may just be to critical for a 14 year old boat. It would need a few seat cushions replaced, dash is weathered and control switches are faded, exterior trim is shrunk or cracked, missing the bow sunpad (which is probably impossible to find). Just expected better condition for $25k. I have also looked at an '04 and '00 Four Winns 268 ($35k and $24k), '01 Maxum 2700 ($27k). None are a no brainier as far as cost vs condition. I suppose if the Doral was in the low $20's I would take it on for a winter project. It does come with a new (never fitted) aluminum trailer which is a nice perk.