On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

[Seamonkies]

Hello, Everyone! I'm new to this site. Just wanted to introduce myself and maybe find out why no one down in the Southeastern portion of the US seems to own a Doral boat. Actually, I'd like to hear from anyone who might be a Southern Doral owner. I've got a 2000 Doral 250SE that I purchased in 2009. It's been a great boat, but honestly I had no idea what I was getting when I bought it. I had heard of SeaRay, Bayliner, FourWinns, etc, but I had never heard of Doral. I was a little reluctant to spend $$ on it, but it seems I got a decent deal for the shape it was in. It was really tough to find a boat in my price range and size expectations that wasn't neglected. I found this boat just talking to some folks at a Marina at Fort Belvoir, VA. I'm from Richmond, VA, but currently live in Richmond Hill, GA. Actually, right now, I'm typing this from my laptop in Iraq, as I'm an Army Logistics Officer stationed at Fort Stewart. Just a few more months left on this year-long deployment and I'll be back on the Ogeechee River headed out to the barrier Islands of Georgia with my family. Can't wait. Anyway, if anyone Doral owners are in my area of operations, please give a friendly shout out. Canadians, hello to you, too. Hope you're enjoying your winter...

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

Hey Seamonkies, check out the friendly folks at Top Rack here. They're in VA. and a Doral dealer
Take care over there and come home safe!

 

[Guest]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

I am a Canadaian Doral owner just wanted to say great big "THANK YOU " for going over there and I do wish you the best! Also as you come back to to the US for a great boating season in your new(to you) boat.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

Firstly a huge THANK YOU to you and everyone else stationed over there for everything you do.
Congratulations on your boat, it's a beauty. I am sure Top Rack can take care of anything you need and if you have any other questions or concerns you should be able to find any assistance you need on this forum.
I look forward to reading your posts.
Ken.

 

[Jlee815]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

Hi Seamonkies, I am a doral owner from Stone Mountain Georgia. I have an older prestancia and I love it. I brought the boat from Florida but I could tell from records it spent most of its life in Ohio.
That would be a nice river ride down the Ogeechee but that could take a few days. I at one point had plans of putting in Augusta and taking a trip down to the coast on the savannah river but the lack of gas stops had me worried. I was going to take that trip in a bow rider and not the doral so gas stops are needed. I never considered taking the doral down that route but gas wouldn't be a concern if I took it. Perhaps more investigation is needed and a number... My primary trip this summer is down the Tn river for a couple hundred miles (like 250) from Chattanooga to Huntsville AL. At any rate Spring is not far away here in Georgia. Enjoy your family when you get back!

 

[TeamPCBeach]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

New Doral 300SE owner here in the Florida Panhandle. Had the boat less than a month, but love it so far. No one here has a clue when we say the Doral name. Our research told us we were getting a good boat at a great price. We just call it our Canadian version of a SeaRay, which seems to be a name everyone knows around here.

 

[Seamonkies]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

New Doral 300SE owner here in the Florida Panhandle. Had the boat less than a month, but love it so far. No one here has a clue when we say the Doral name. Our research told us we were getting a good boat at a great price. We just call it our Canadian version of a SeaRay, which seems to be a name everyone knows around here.

How do you like the 30 footer? Can you post pictures of the cabin and cockpit so that I can compare? I'll try to do the same. Where did you find your Doral? Did you do your own research to find it, or did you go through a broker? She is beautiful, that's for sure. Now that I've had my 25 footer a while, I'd like some extra space. All 5 of our family members have camped over night on it, but I'm not going to lie.... it's not comfortable...

 

[Seamonkies]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

Well, that's 3 of us sportin' Doral boats down here!! Good to know I'm not the only one! Thanks to all of you for your support of the troops. We all really appreciate it. I'm currently planning a trip from Richmond Hill to Hilton Head Island the first month upon my return. Can anyone recommend a good place to tie-up there with electricity and fresh water? I like to take little jaunts like that in the boat with the family. JLee815, Chattanooga is a little far away.... although, I actually have family there and have been swimming in Lake Chickamauga. I once took a boat trip from Petersburg, VA on the Appomattox River, into the James River, headed east to Williamsburg, spent the night there, then headed to Newport News into the mouth of the Chesapeake bay. That's probably the longest trip I've taken on the boat. Lots of fun, that's for sure. We stopped at the Kingsmill Resort Marina in Williamsburg. Very nice marina with a bar/grill and live music at night. Not too much longer now before spring has sprung and you guys will be pulling the tarps back, de-winterizing, and off on a boat trip of your own.... TeamPCBeach, have you gone anywhere recently worth mentioning? We'd all like to live vicariously through you and your experiences since you're located in the warmest climate!

 

[Seamonkies]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

Here are some pics of the inside/cockpit of my Doral. Not too flashy or exciting. Perfect for us. We are very practical people. As a matter of fact, I really never see myself using the electric stove top since we either grill or microwave most of our food we we're staying overnight. The topside picture was taken at sunset at the Anchor Point Marina, Petersburg, VA on the Appomattox River. I was stationed at Fort Lee at the time. I was actually living on my boat. Yep, lived on it for almost 6 months. Just me, though... not the family too. What a great 6 months...

 

[Jlee815]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

Seamonkies,

I suggest Harbour Town Yacht basin while in Hilton head. This is a very fine upscale Marina. The cost is also reasonable and you will be in there with Behemoths right next to you, 100 footers etc. There are great seafood restaurants on the premises. Last time I was there the Americas cup yacht was there. Nice showers, fresh water electricity and I bet they even have wifi now. I stayed there and I loved it. Kids can go up in the light house and the beach is right there. If you have a chance to stay there I would take it.... They give you a free bottle of wine for staying there. IF you love looking at mega yachts it's a no brainer. They also dont let you dock....
They have a little boat that comes out, ties up to your boat, and pushes your boat into the slip... I guess they don't want to to take chances with a bad captain dinging up one of those nice boats while docking. When you leave you are on you own but it is not a tight marina there is plenty of room to manuver. I stayed there for about 3 days once while on a cruise from Charleston SC to Fernandina beach FLA. best trip of my life that I took in a 26 ft searay.

 

[Seamonkies]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

Seamonkies,

I suggest Harbour Town Yacht basin while in Hilton head. This is a very fine upscale Marina. The cost is also reasonable and you will be in there with Behemoths right next to you, 100 footers etc. There are great seafood restaurants on the premises. Last time I was there the Americas cup yacht was there. Nice showers, fresh water electricity and I bet they even have wifi now. I stayed there and I loved it. Kids can go up in the light house and the beach is right there. If you have a chance to stay there I would take it.... They give you a free bottle of wine for staying there. IF you love looking at mega yachts it's a no brainer. They also dont let you dock....
They have a little boat that comes out, ties up to your boat, and pushes your boat into the slip... I guess they don't want to to take chances with a bad captain dinging up one of those nice boats while docking. When you leave you are on you own but it is not a tight marina there is plenty of room to manuver. I stayed there for about 3 days once while on a cruise from Charleston SC to Fernandina beach FLA. best trip of my life that I took in a 26 ft searay.

Outstanding advice! Sounds like they really take care of you at that marina! How was that trip for Charleston to Fernandina Beach? Did you encounter any problems or issues along the way? Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[TeamPCBeach]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

Not too many photos yet. You can see some here

https://picasaweb.google.com/TeamPC...key=Gv1sRgCMDeg4WHofD56gE#5571829123168735026

No photos there of the aft part of the cockpit as I took these during our survey and the engine hatch was up most of the time. Also don't have a photo of the mid-birth.

We found it at a local dealer. Went in to look at another boat and the salesman showed us this one. Was older than we were looking for, but it was a one owner boat and the previous owner was obsessive about maintenance.

My wife and I slept on it the first weekend we owned her. I am 6'4" so we will use the mid-birth as the v-birth is a little tight (but could work). Sleeping 5 adults would be fine.

How do you like the 30 footer? Can you post pictures of the cabin and cockpit so that I can compare? I'll try to do the same. Where did you find your Doral? Did you do your own research to find it, or did you go through a broker? She is beautiful, that's for sure. Now that I've had my 25 footer a while, I'd like some extra space. All 5 of our family members have camped over night on it, but I'm not going to lie.... it's not comfortable...

 

[TeamPCBeach]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

Not yet, just a couple of trips out in the bay. As I said, only had her a month and have spent much of the weekend time making minor fixes and adding a few things (TV and TV Antenna).
Supposed to be 70F and sunny this weekend so I think it will be another weekend on the water.

In two weeks we will make the short trip to Tyndall AFB for their annual Air Show. Nothing like watching from the boat and not having to fight the traffic and crowds.

TeamPCBeach, have you gone anywhere recently worth mentioning? We'd all like to live vicariously through you and your experiences since you're located in the warmest climate!

 

[Jlee815]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

Sea Monkies, I had no problems on the trip except for the first 5-10 minutes. I had plans to put in at Charleston city marina. Due to it being low tide when I arrived I couldn't launch the boat from the marina. The marina recommended a place about 10 minutes down the road to launch. I am an inland lake boater and often dont have to worry about channel markers.... All of my chart and navigational planning for this trip was done to head North to South. The place of my new launch was was south so I had to go North to get back to the marina and I came up and passed on the wrong side of the buoy.. I was in skinny water and almost dinged my props. Outside of that one directionally challenged mistake, I had no issues. It was a lonngggg boat ride. The Georgia and South Carolina coasts are wonderful. They have some long stretches of desolate sounds. I wouldn't see any boats for hours just marsh grass but it was wonderful. The one other issue was the trip was in Sept, hurricane season. We went from Beaufort SC to Hilton head across Port royal sound and the wind was up so that was a bit bumpy but we crossed with a few other boats so I felt safer. Those boats were much faster than me so I had it rough going so fast in choppy water. Props were coming out of the water.The reason we stayed so long at Harbour Town marina was to let the winds from the hurricane die down before continuing our trip. Harbour town marina boat basin is an excellent hurricane hole by nature. The actual hurricane landed farther north but we got the wind effects and high seas in SC and Georgia.

 

[Seamonkies]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

. The place of my new launch was was south so I had to go North to get back to the marina and I came up and passed on the wrong side of the buoy.. I was in skinny water and almost dinged my props. Outside of that one directionally challenged mistake, I had no issues.

Jlee815, I can certainly relate to your "skinny water" incident. My family, especially my kids, can attest to the fact that if there is skinny water out there, I will certainly find it. Last Spring, I took the family out to St. Catherines Island and on the way there, we ran up on 2 sandbars. Luckily, the tide was coming in, so I just waited a few minutes, got everyone off the boat to lighten the load, and we scooted her off those sandbars and proceeded to the island for the day. On the way back, however, we ran up on another sandbar only about 500 meters from Fort McAllister Marina with the tide headed out. Yep, we were stuck there for quite a while. Another boater came by and rescued the rest of my family and took them to the marina, while my son and I hung out and made the best of a bad situation. We had plenty of food, water, and exploring to do, so we had a pretty good time afterall. Attached are some of our pics of that event. It's a big joke now with my kids. They call me the "sandbar magnet". Gotta love 'em!

 

[Seamonkies]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

She's a beautiful boat, that's for sure. I love all the room in that thing! Aslo, reading more of your threads on this site, it seems you're quite experienced with dealing with some boat issues. I really enjoyed reading about your experiences and how you resolved them. Boaters by nature have to be problem solvers, I guess. The more experiences like yours that are posted on this site, the better the rest of us will be with dealing with issues. Again, thanks for sharing. I'll try to do the same: ie: "ethynol in gas" story. I too, had to fix my trim tabs last summer. My issue was not water in the fluid, but rather one of the solenoids would not function. I just replaced the whole motor-solenoid assembly and for about $300 it was fixed. Not too expensive. Great pics of your cabin, etc. I really like your setup. Makes me wish that I had searched a little longer for something more your size boat. Guess you could say I have "boat envy"...

Not too many photos yet. You can see some here

https://picasaweb.google.com/TeamPC...key=Gv1sRgCMDeg4WHofD56gE#5571829123168735026

No photos there of the aft part of the cockpit as I took these during our survey and the engine hatch was up most of the time. Also don't have a photo of the mid-birth.

We found it at a local dealer. Went in to look at another boat and the salesman showed us this one. Was older than we were looking for, but it was a one owner boat and the previous owner was obsessive about maintenance.

My wife and I slept on it the first weekend we owned her. I am 6'4" so we will use the mid-birth as the v-birth is a little tight (but could work). Sleeping 5 adults would be fine.

 

[TeamPCBeach]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

Just wanted to add a few pics to the Southern Doral Owners thread. One of the reasons we live where we do is 8 months of comfortable boating weather. These pics have nothing to do with our boat except we were out on it when I took the photos. These are the Tyndall AFB Airshow. The runway ends not too far from the bay so a couple hundred boats always show up to watch from there. Weather was great. I also love having a bigger boat. We installed our TV on a quick release mount so we could move it top side to watch games on the weekend. My wife and I propped the TV on the helm, watched the airshow and NCAA march madness at the same time. If our Florida Gators had not lost it would have been a perfect day.

 

[Seamonkies]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

For some reason, I can't view your pics. Is that just me, or is everyone having problems seeing these?

 

[TeamPCBeach]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

Hmm, links were messed up. Should be fixed now.

 

[BSAFlash]

Re: On an Island: Southern Doral Owner

There's no end to that problem Seamonkies, I had mine for a couple of years and Doral went and ruined it by bringing out the Alegria:facepalm:
Still love mine though.