Exploring The 1959 Dorsett Dmv: A Classic Boat Overview

The Dorsett Plastics Company began producing boats in 1955 under the brand name Endura Craft Boats. In 1958, the line became Dorsett Boats. The 1959 Dorsett was a 14-foot boat, ideal for waterskiing, with a 35-horsepower Scott engine. The boat was designed by Raymond Loewy, who also designed the Coke bottle and Greyhound's popular bus and logo.

The 1959 Dorsett is a 14-foot boat

The company was founded by Richard W. Dorst, a US Navy veteran and graduate engineer from the University of California, who also attended Harvard Business School. Dorst had seven years of experience in reinforced plastics and the chemical industry before co-founding the company. In 1955, the company began producing Endura Craft boats, which became Dorsett Boats in 1958.

The 14-foot 1959 Dorsett boat has been used for skiing and has been garaged, with the seller noting that it has a clear title. The gel coat above the rubber bumper strip is in good condition, while the boat below the bumper was repainted in the 1980s. The red and silver side decals show some wear, but the rubber bumper is not rotted due to indoor storage. The boat comes with full snap-on covers for the inside and a red carpet for the floor.

The 1959 Dorsett is a classic boat with a rich history, reflecting the design influence of renowned industrial designer Raymond Loewy. It presents an exciting opportunity for restoration or a fun vintage boat to enjoy on the water.

It was bought new and used for skiing

The 1959 Dorsett DMV is a classic boat produced by the Dorsett Boat Company, which was founded in Santa Clara, California, in 1955. The company initially operated under the name Dorsett Plastics Company and produced boats under the brand name Endura Craft Boats. In 1958, the company was renamed Dorsett Marine, and its boats were subsequently called Dorsett.

The 14-foot boat was purchased new by the seller's father and was used for skiing. The original engine was a 35-horsepower Scott, which was later replaced by a 65-horsepower Mercury in the mid-1960s. The boat has been garaged and well-maintained, with the gell coat above the rubber bumper strip still in shiny shape. The boat's interior includes full snap-on covers, and the rubber bumper is not rotted due to indoor storage.

The Dorsett Boat Company has a rich history, with its president, Richard W. Dorst, being a US Navy veteran and a graduate engineer from the University of California. The company expanded rapidly, adding production plants in Bremen, Indiana, and Cambridge, Maryland. In 1960, the company was acquired by Royal Little's Textron, Inc., and changed hands several times thereafter. Despite the changes in ownership, the Dorsett brand left a legacy in the boating world, with its boats becoming sought-after classics.

The original engine was a 35-horsepower Scott

The 1959 Dorsett DMV is a recreational boat. The original engine of the 1959 Dorsett DMV was a 35-horsepower Scott, which was later replaced by a 65-horsepower Mercury engine in 1965 or 1966. The 35-horsepower Scott engine was likely manufactured by the Scott-Atwater Mfg. Co., which was purchased by McCulloch Corp. in 1956 and later renamed Scott-McCulloch.

The Scott-Atwater Mfg. Co. was started in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and its acquisition by McCulloch Corp. marked the company's entry into the outboard boat motor market. McCulloch was already building small gasoline engines and would go on to become a major player in the outboard motor industry, eventually becoming the world's third-largest manufacturer of outboard motors.

The 35-horsepower Scott engine would have been a popular choice for a boat engine in the late 1950s and early 1960s due to its high horsepower-to-weight ratio and visually striking cowl design. It is important to note that, during this era, boat motors were typically installed by the dealer, so a new boat could have had a variety of different "correct" motors.

The 1959 Dorsett DMV with its original 35-horsepower Scott engine would have provided adequate power for skiing and other recreational activities. However, as noted by the boat owner, it may have lacked the desired level of performance, which led to the eventual upgrade to the 65-horsepower Mercury engine.

Today, the 1959 Dorsett DMV with its original 35-horsepower Scott engine is a classic boat sought by vintage boat enthusiasts and collectors. It represents a piece of nautical history and showcases the engineering and design choices of its time.

The boat has been repainted and the decals are scarred

The 1959 Dorsett DMV is a classic boat, and it seems this particular one has seen better days. The boat has been repainted, but the new paintwork is worn, and the decals are scarred. This is a common issue with older boats and can be addressed with careful restoration.

Firstly, it is important to understand the history of the boat. Dorsett boats were first produced by the Dorsett Plastics Company in 1955 under the brand name Endura Craft Boats. In 1958, the company was renamed Dorsett Marine, and the boats became known simply as Dorsetts. The 1959 models were the first to feature the design influence of Raymond Loewy, a renowned industrial designer. Loewy styled the recreational boats, most notably the Catalina model, adding his signature touches to the boat's design details.

The process of restoring the paintwork and decals on this 1959 Dorsett DMV will require some time and effort. The first step is to thoroughly clean and wash the boat with a suitable solution, such as Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP). This will help to remove any dirt, grime, and oxidation that has built up over the years. Once the boat is clean, the next step is to sand the affected areas. Wet-dry sandpaper can be used for this, and it is recommended to start with a lower grit, such as 180, and work up to a finer grit, such as 1000. This process will help to smooth out the surface and prepare it for repainting.

After sanding, the boat owner will need to address any cracks or gashes in the fiberglass. This can be done using a gel coat and cabosil paste, which can be applied to the damaged areas. It is important to feather the affected areas and acetone wash them before applying the paste. The colour matching process can be tricky, but with patience and testing, it is possible to get close to the original colour. Once the paste has cured, it can be sanded down and polished to create a smooth, shiny finish.

For the decals, the owner will need to source replacements that match the original design. This may involve contacting Dorsett directly or specialist classic boat restorers who can recreate the decals. Once the new decals are in place, the boat will need to be handled with care to ensure the new paintwork and decals remain in good condition.

Overall, while the 1959 Dorsett DMV has been repainted and the decals are scarred, it is possible to restore the boat to its former glory with the right techniques, time, and attention to detail.

It has been stored inside and has a clear title

The 1959 Dorsett DMV is a classic boat with a rich history. It was first produced by the Dorsett Plastics Company, which was founded by US Navy veteran and University of California graduate engineer, Richard W. Dorst. The company began producing Endura Craft boats in 1955, and in 1958, the line became known as Dorsett Boats.

The 1959 Dorsett DMV you are inquiring about has been stored inside and has a clear title, which is excellent news for any potential buyer or enthusiast. This means that the boat's ownership is undisputed and legally recognised, making it a more secure purchase.

Storing the boat inside has also helped preserve its condition. The rubber bumper, for instance, is noted as being in good shape and not rotted because it was stored inside. This is a significant advantage as rubber components can often degrade over time due to exposure to sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Additionally, the boat's interior has been protected. While the red carpet on the floor is described as "just sitting there", the full snap-on covers for the inside are mentioned. These covers, while old and with a few faulty snaps, have likely contributed to preserving the interior by shielding it from sunlight and the elements.

The clear title and indoor storage of this 1959 Dorsett DMV indicate that it has been well-maintained and carefully preserved. This bodes well for its continued use and enjoyment, whether as a fun project for restoration or as a functional boat to be used and admired.

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