The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

[klab010]

My Project started this summer when I bought this 24ft boat.
Older gentleman wasn't getting use of it anymore.
He always stored it indoors in the winter and kept the cockpit covered through the summer season.
No trailer. Marina, drops it in in the spring and pulls it out, winterizes and stores in the winter.
Hours werent too bad-survey was above average rating.- Solid Boat.

1. We cleaned the inside and out...mostly dust and needed a good airing out. Throught this winter, the cushions will get a good shampooing.

2. I started to re-stain the wood interior to give it some pop, and was pretty happy with it. I removed the alcohol stove and refinished the countertop to give it an update. staining will continue in the spring.

3. My wife and I re-stained the teak on the deck. really helped bring it back to life (see the swim platform ladder pre-stained dull light wood).

In the Spring I will have to work on the boat at the marina (campout for a few days) while it is up on blocks. look at the bottom. I saw some scuffs before when it was on the trailer, but not sure if they are deep enough to have to re-gelcoat. regardless...it will need a bottom paint...I am thinking ablative.

I have my work cut out form in the spring. Looking forward to it though...marina life is very relaxing.

to be continued....

 

[zach103]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Seems pretty straight forward to me.. nice cosmetics job.. looks really good so far

 

[ezmobee]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Nice boat. You're going to have a lot of fun with it. Nice work so far. The woodwork really dresses it up.

 

[klab010]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Thanks Guys,

So far it is mostly cosmetic and hopefully low $$. I will keep my fingers crossed that the mechanical stays good for a couple of more years. The same marina has serviced it for 15 years now, so they know the boat well.

 

[Gromulin]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Very nice. Looks so much bigger than my Doral 230 BR (23'6" bowrider).

I was able to get lots of info on mine from Doral by using their "customer contact" link at their website. They sent me plumbing diagrams (in French..) and original owners manual .pdf too. Very quick turn-around...I was not expecting them to even respond to my inquiry.

I'd suggest using the word "Bonjour!" in your greeting...seemed to work for me

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

VC-17 is a very good bottom paint.

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Hey! Looks like we're in the same boat! (bad joke) I bought my '89 Cavalier in August from the original owners who took great care of it. I'd been looking for a nice Cavalier/Citation for a few years, was hoping for a 5.7 but this is a 4.3LX merc and I'm actually really happy with the performance. Came with all the documentation including original bill of sale ($48738.22, Apr., 1989) I'm liking what you did to the wood in the cabin, might have to do the same, treated all the outside teak to some cetol, works good. Now that it's on blocks, i'm removing the hull stripes, it'll look better although, I'm hoping to find the Doral badges for the side, the 90 and newer have a cool chrome one. Lots of stuff to do over the winter. Have fun!
John

 

[klab010]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Hi JBF, good to be in touch with someone else who has made a wise purchase! Lets keep in touch and compare notes on restoring and repairs. As far as the Doral name, I was thinking the same thing as I need to remove some pinstriping and refresh the name. I found a place to get the decal for $30- see below. I believe they also sell the chrome version you speak of. I may go for that one to providing it is not too pricy. Place for decals Pirate Cove Marina : Kemptville, Ontario, 613-258-2325

Keep in touch

Kev

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Thanks Kev. Yeah, definately keep in touch and thanks for the lead

John

 

[klab010]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Hey all, I have to replace a prop rod plastic base to the center hatch in the bow (it cracked)- I am only able to use one right now. I have done a search on the net and here on iboats, but there are hundreds of types.
Has anyone needed to do this for a Doral? Any Ideas?

 

[proshadetree]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Good looking boat. I will be keeping an eye on this one.

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Hey all, I have to replace a prop rod plastic base to the center hatch in the bow (it cracked)- I am only able to use one right now. I have done a search on the net and here on iboats, but there are hundreds of types.
Has anyone needed to do this for a Doral? Any Ideas?

Hey Kev. I have the same problem with my Cavaliers hatch, funny you should mention it as I was up at the boat on the weekend and that was particularily bugging me, if I come across anything, def let you know
John

 

[klab010]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Sounds great JBF. I am hoping my Marina will have the part, not sure if it is universal. If not, I may have to make some mods in order to use one that is more common.

I was able to pick up a 24" dia end table from Kijiji last week that I plan to re-finish and use as the kitchen table. (will keep the original table for bow bed cushion support) Just planning to transfer the table base to the new top. SHould give the cabin a more up dated look. Also, I want to re-finish the interior to be an ivory, or light beige with brown grey counter top and table top. I have seen these interior colors elsewhere on boat image samples on the net and it looks quite sharp.

I decided not to update the cushion covers, just the foam inside. A good wash to the covers with the new foam will give them a fresher smell. (right now smells gasy and a bit like moth balls).

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Hey Kev, hope you're handling this cold snap alright. Definately need to deal with that forward hatch issue, trying to remember the brand that it is...I'm happy with the condition/scent of my cushions/carpet, but really want to update the galley a tad (not liking that textured white counter top, same as the cockpit bar) as well as the table. Not sure if you guys have tried to dine there, but opened up, it's kinda wobbly. Hope you can post pics of what you got for yours soon. I've also got to deal with my fridge as the bottom of the door and the flange has rusted, yet it works so well...I also want to add a small microwave in the spring, but where to put it?

 

[klab010]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

My table was not wabbly- seemed ok. I bought a 0.7 cu inch microwave from wallmart in the summer and it sits nicely where the old alcohol stove was. Just remember to secure it while you are moving, or put rubber footpads on the bottom for grip. when getting up on plane in Sept, I happened to look down and see the microwave inching its way to the edge. My wife caught it in time. I had painted the counter top and the wood trim around it. The wood stain edge really ages the boat and I am happy it is gone. I found a bar top lacquer a Rona guy suggested. It puts a thick poly coating over whatever colour you have down and is durable. I was thinking of trying it. Will need to pull the sink up first though. I got lucky with my fridge. it is actually in very good shape.
The cold snap is just making me long for the marina days even more than I already was!

 

[CHIEF915]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Hey Gents,

I replaced my hatch prop arms. They are made by Taylor, I got mine from Taylor Marine.

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Sweet. Mine are Taylors too, need to look into getting them. Did you go directly to Taylor or your friendly neighbourhood marine supply store?

 

[Jlee815]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Chief915 can you post what your hatch arms look like? or have a part #? Taylor made (not taylor marine) was not able to locate mine. My hatch was a taylor made.

 

[klab010]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

I agree with Jlee815, Chief, could you post a pick? Thanks!

 

[klab010]

Re: The Doral Project (89 Cavalier)

Hi all!
Well after a long cold season, I got back to the boat last Friday. Starting by taking off the pinstripping with the 3M eraser wheel,(works awesome) I then used Buff Magic to restore the gel coat. works great too! I then follow up with the Pro-polish. It is tough work to bring back the shine, but well worth it. I also installed the new VHF radio. Fish/depth finder in-check, $20 stereo in- check, Cushion foam replaced- check... I just need to get some fenders for the boat house to keep the marks off! Anyone know a good paint for the out drive? I have heard of Quicksilver...
:rolleyes: