Hi Everyone I was wondering if there would be any interest in replacement fiberglass Dorade boxes?
When we purchased our 30 U last year and decided to redo the deck over the winter. After looking at our neighbours 260 I decided to update our boat and remake the dorade out of fiberglass. I have had a few people inquiring about it and figured I would ask the group if there was any interest in them?
Andrew Barkhouse
Ocelot 30U 349
Pickering, On
If the fiberglass dorade boxes will fit on a 33 I could be interested. What are the dimensions of the boxes?
Mine are glassed over. The surface looks OK but the wood underneath is gone. Perhaps they’ll hold but building a full glass version is somewhere in that pipeline along with the rest of the to do list. It would save me a lot of time if I could just order, given that yours will fit a n36. So yes, count me in.
I’m assuming that these are not to be sold as this is not the venue for it. Also, Sprio, if you could sign off like most of us do it would be helpful. BTW, I made a dorade box out of scrap teak and it came out fine.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
The ones on the 354 (same hull as the 33) are made of fiberglass, look like yours Andrew and have held up perfectly for 25 years and still look fabulous…
Michael Jabara
Hobbes II - 1995 354 #72
San Rafael, CA
Hey Guys, I know this is not the place to advertise them for sale but was looking to see if there would be any interest.
The mould does require a bit of repair work and I don’t mind doing it if there are a few people interested. I will get some dimensions of the box with flange, it was moulded off the factory teak box.
Andrew Barkhouse
Ocelot 30U 349
Pickering, On
Hi,
I’d be interested in one too. Please add me to your list.
Cheers,
Don
Not a problem, Andrew.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
I’m interested too for my N33.
Ed Strazzini
PELICAN N33#36
Deltaville, Va
Andrew,
I was planning to make one out of teak this winter but the fiberglass looks good, I am interested in more details.
Phil
S/V ECHO
Albemarle Plantation, NC
This could be something that interests, and helps, a number of people.
It might be a good idea to check the intended positions and amount of deck camber at those spots on candidate boats early in the game, though.
Depending on the locations of the boxes and the curvature of the deck on different size boats, it might be hard to get a standardized box that fits the deck and sits level on every boat.
The design looks really nice with that beautifully shaped flange at the deck; it’d be a shame if people had to trim that away to make it work for their boats.
– Bob
Solar Wind
Nonsuch 26C #143
I would be interested in more details.
Jim Falcon
Ballybay NS 30U #357
Warren, RI
I would be interested in one.
Randy Gadikian
Paisley Moon
NS 26 C
Buffalo New York
Food for thought - We replaced the original teak Dorade box with one made out of black plexiglass - it was left over material from having a new slide for the main hatch made. We also had a new pad for the main sheet winch made from the leftovers, as well as mounting pads for the deck organizers. I personally think they look great, a bit more modern looking, and they do not need to be varnished. When back lit, you can see the screws holding the box together.
There is a lot of camber to the deck, so yes, careful measurement is needed. The carpenter building the box built it with straight edges and then ground it down to fit, as he also did with the deck organizer pads.
See attached.
lloyd herman
Rendezvous, 30U
Port Washington, NY
Lloyd,
You have a beautiful boat and that’s a great photo. I’m curious…what’s the tan cylindrical object on the starboard pulpit middle rail? Also, what are you using for an anchor?
Regards,
Jim Cosgrove
FATE 30U #343
Galesville, MD
I have attached a dimensioned photo for anyone interested, we used the factory box and then added a flange. I should have a couple pieces done in the next few weeks, just trying to do a little more sailing before the season ends. If there is anyone local who would like to try one out or take a look your more than welcome to. I will post them for sale when available and after going through the material cost it should be around $100
Andrew Barkhouse
Ocelot 30U 349
Pickering, On
Anyone ever rebuilt or replaced the plastic engine control panel which cracks easily?
I made a new one from teak-faced ply, with a cherry wood surround and an acrylic hinged cover.
Bob Illingworth
Nonsuch Luck 30U #367 (GBR1262T)
Moored Brightlingsea, UK cruising the rivers of East Anglia and the North Sea.
Lloyd -
I’ll second Jim’s comment - what a gorgeous boat. That idea with the Dorade box is brilliant and it looks terrific. Unless I’m mistaken (and it does happen), the beige object is a radar reflector but I’ve found that the higher up they are mounted, the easier it is for other sailors’ radar to see you, no ?? I’ve attached mine to one of my boom hanger lines.
Why is yours on the pulpit ?
Ernie A. in Toronto
On Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 4:46:35 PM UTC-4, Julie & Lloyd on Rendezvous wrote:
Thanks for the comments on how Rendezvous looks. I will let my wife know that her money (and if you throw enough at a boat, it can look great) was not wasted.
Ernie is correct - the tan object was a radar reflector. Installed on the pulpit because when I garbage picked it, I did not have a ladder to put it up high. (I also learned since then that they need to be installed vertically.) Also had not thought of a suitable spot up high. I like the idea of the hanger lines. I have since installed AIS and have tossed the reflector. I figure the vessels I really worry about will see me on AIS easier than on radar and we have another reflector that we can put on if it is foggy.
The anchor is a Spade 80 in aluminum. Weighs 16#.
Lloyd Herman
Rendezvous, 30U
Port Washington, NY
