TOPIC: New to FiberGlassics - Dorsett year / name ???

New to "real" boat ownership too. I've been putting around for a dozen years in an 1964 Amphicar at 5 mph and now it needs a restoration, probably a 2 year project. So I bought this Dorsett runabout for fun and a bit more speed during the Amphicar project and beyond. The title says its a 1963 but I'm not able to verify that with any sales brochures or web literature. Anyone know for sure? Also I can't find a model name. Anyone?
Thanks in advance.

Be well, swim safe,

Amphipoda

WELCOME,,& CONGRATS on a nice clean rig..There are a few members with
Dorsett & will know if that mfg used serial #'s, befofre the national standard in 1971.

. We have a Library section here for the mfg's, but the 63 & 64 brochures not filled in . Here is the LINK for the 1962 page ,& I
believe these 15 footers are called BELMONT www.fiberglassics.com/library/File:Dorsettb62002.jpg

I'm not an expert on the various years especially the runabouts but do know that they went with the Dyna Plane hull in 1964 and yours does not have that. Yours has the looks of a 1962 - 1963 it has the same bow light as my 1962 if the paperwork says 1963 then go with it

Many thanks Split. Registration says 14 ft so I'm not sure it's a Belmont... Looks pretty close tho.

Amphipoda

Might as well hang with the '63 tag... Our CA Dept of Motor Vehicles is brutal if anything gets amended. Don't want to stir that hornet's nest.

Amphipoda

Sweet looking Dorsett Poda, welcome aboard.

bham-rick wrote:

I'm not an expert on the various years especially the runabouts but do know that they went with the Dyna Plane hull in 1964 and yours does not have that. Yours has the looks of a 1962 - 1963 it has the same bow light as my 1962 if the paperwork says 1963 then go with it

Rick, I knew you would chime in on this thread. The hull lines look exactly like the you know what. (tears)
But the seats and interior look all revamped. Can't see the bow close enough to see if it has the hardware on the prow.
Cal

"Tears" huh... As a new guy here I'm not sure how to take that Cal.
Thanks for warm welcome MarkS.

Poda

Several old Dorsett boat brochures and articles are over also available groups.yahoo.com/group/classicdorsettboats/

welcome poda,great looking dorsett!john

Poda, I answered your mail. The tears were when I hauled a 63 Dorsett to the landfill after I stripped it for parts. See the thread on 59 Herters rebuild. The Dorsett was one of the best boats I've seen for fit and finish. You have a strong, well built boat.

I have a 1960 Dorsett Belmont. Here what I can tell you

The Belmont had two models the sport and custom or deluxe. The sport had the back to back seats and the custom had a rear seat. The sport also had a basic electronic package as it looks like this has where the custom had a more dressed up dash plate with speedo and tach mounted in the plate and some interior finishes.

The motor looks like a 75HP Evinrude Starlite. If the motor was matched to the boat you get get a clue of the actual year by whether the motor is electric or manual shift. I do not beleive that the electric shift came out with the starlite until 1962.

What looks different than my 1960 is the caps on the side rails aft section. The 1960 model were a full wrap around with a integrated handle and these look more like the later designs.

The bow plate is 1960 or later as in 1959 it was a much larger and square version.

So assuming the parts are not a mix of various years I beleive it proably pretty close the 1963 and it is a Belmont sport. I would love to talk about the boat with you as I have run into a limited number of Dorsett Belmont owners.

I send you an IM with my numbers.

TBAZ

Just thought I'd chime in. I've had my Dorsett since 1972. I'm the 2nd owner was built in 67.
It's given me & my family a lot of pleasure over the years. It's a comfortable well built boat. Does require maintenance, when I ignore it I pay.
John