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cruisernewbee
"Seaman Recruit"
Joined: January 09 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: January 09 2008 at 21:11 | IP Logged
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Looking to purchase my first cruiser and was hoping to get some
opinions. I want to start out with something smaller that can still fit the
family for weekend but not too much boat for me to learn on and
handle. Then hopefully upgrade in the next 3-5 years to a larger
cruiser. I am debating the Doral Monticello, Sea Ray 260 and Monterey
270. Was also maybe going to consider the Larson 260. Unless I can
get a good deal on a 2007 I was most likely going to go with a boat in
the 2004-2006 range. Any advice from Doral owners on these
thoughts, choices and options? Anyone looking to upgrade and want to
move there Monticello? Any help would be appreciated.
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Dravie
"Seaman Recruit"
Joined: November 23 2007
Posts: 9
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| Posted: January 10 2008 at 07:57 | IP Logged
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Good day,
We invite you to contact Doral Internatinal at info@doralboat.com. It will be our pleasure to send information on our Cruiser line-up and refer you the nearest authorized Doral dealership.
Thank you for your interest.
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Vermit4
"Seaman Recruit"
Joined: November 19 2007
Posts: 8
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| Posted: January 10 2008 at 11:06 | IP Logged
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cruisernembe,
I just purchased my first cruiser in late September of "07. I was a Regal owner for many years and was very intersted in the Regal 2565. Like you I decided to do my homework, so I looked at the Sea Ray 260, Larson 260 and the Rinkers. I was at a Boat show when I ran across the Doral Moticello Everything about the boat was a step up in my mind. The construction, fit, finish and attention to detail was first class. I started looking at new Monticellos and realized you get what you pay for........ they were alittle out of my price range at the time. But I was so impressed with what I had seen at the boat show that I started searching for used models. I found a 2004 from a private owner and drove 6hrs to see it and test drive it.
The performance, the ride and the handling was everything the dealers and current owners I spoke with told me it was...and more I bought the boat, had a trailer made.... and brought it back to Wisconsin. Now, since I live in Wisconsin I have not had alot of "On the Water" time with it, But the little time I have has been great!
In my mind the Doral is in a class of it's own.... and well worth the search!! Good luck in your search for a new boat, and if you have other questions... the folks on this web site have been great!!
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cruisernewbee
"Seaman Recruit"
Joined: January 09 2008
Posts: 2
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| Posted: January 10 2008 at 11:20 | IP Logged
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Thanks for the response Vermit4. I am leaning toward a Doral as my limited research and recommendation from a friend (who owns a Doral) has pushed the Doral to the front. Now it is just a matter of finding some good options. Unlike Sea Ray or many of the other manufacturers there are not that many Doral boats for sale.
Thanks again.
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Dravie
"Seaman Recruit"
Joined: November 23 2007
Posts: 9
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| Posted: January 10 2008 at 11:24 | IP Logged
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Thank you very much for your comments. Be assured that your comments were transferred to our R & D team.
Marketing Coordinator
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Boater1
"Seaman Recruit"
Joined: May 14 2007
Posts: 26
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| Posted: January 10 2008 at 18:16 | IP Logged
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Ok, why do we have a Doral representative on this forum. I personally
do not think that it is right for Doral to be seeing what we post on this
website. If you, Dravie, want an opinion on Doral, look at the survey
that I acually took time to complete. 
Edited by Boater1 on January 10 2008 at 18:17
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Mikesf
"Seaman"
Joined: January 13 2007
Posts: 24
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| Posted: January 10 2008 at 20:02 | IP Logged
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How great to have a representative from Doral on the site. It give us
Doral owners a direct connection to the company, bypassing the dealer
network. Thank you for joining us. 
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Dravie
"Seaman Recruit"
Joined: November 23 2007
Posts: 9
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| Posted: January 11 2008 at 07:46 | IP Logged
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Good day Mikesh,
My pleasure. Do not hesitate to contact Doral at 1-888-84-DORAL for more information.
Have a great day
Dravie
Edited by Dravie on January 11 2008 at 07:50
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Vermit4
"Seaman Recruit"
Joined: November 19 2007
Posts: 8
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| Posted: January 11 2008 at 14:01 | IP Logged
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Dravie,
I also think it is great to have you on our site, and appreciate all of your input!!
Thanks!!
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Certified
"Seaman Recruit"
Joined: January 12 2008
Posts: 4
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| Posted: January 12 2008 at 11:06 | IP Logged
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Quote: Mikesf How great to have a representative from Doral on the site. It give us Doral owners a direct connection to the company, bypassing the dealer network. Thank you for joining us. 
__________________
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INWATER
"Seaman Recruit"
Joined: January 01 2000
Posts: 21
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| Posted: January 12 2008 at 11:33 | IP Logged
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I like the fact that Doral pays attention to this site.
__________________
Larry
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NW_Vermont
"Seaman"
Joined: September 14 2005
Posts: 33
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| Posted: January 17 2008 at 09:44 | IP Logged
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Cruisernewbee-
I, too was in your same position. I agree with the comments previously stated about quality and fit and finish. Please search this forum for much more detailed comments that I wrote about my 2004 Monticello.
I continue to highly recommend Doral. Yes, you will find them more expensive, but, if you look, you will see that you do, indeed get what you pay for. For my homework, I seriously considered only the Sea Ray 260. The Sea Ray is a beautiful boat, but the differences come in a side-by-side comparison. Note how much more restricted the mid-cabin access is in the Sea Ray. The Doral engine compartment is so much more "user friendly". The Doral has a larger cockpit and it is one-level. I could go on and on.
Now, if you are considering moving up in boat size in as little as three years, if you have the funds, you may want to get into that bigger boat now. Properly piloting a boat is very important. Regardless of size, make sure that the dealer, a trusted friend or even a professional helps you learn your new baby. Not just for 20 minutes, but go out for the day. Many would say that driving and docking a twin-screw boat is easier than a single screw!!
Doral won't dissapoint.
NW_Vermont
__________________
2004 Doral Monticello
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baycruiser
"Seaman Recruit"
Joined: July 26 2007
Posts: 14
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| Posted: March 08 2008 at 13:32 | IP Logged
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There are a few used Dorals at the Baltimore Boating Center. I don't
know your location but their website is
http://www.baltimoreboatingcenter.com. I am the president of the Doral
owner's club (D.O.C.K.) on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. I have owned
2 Dorals and currently have a 2005 Intrigue. In my opinion, Doral is
the best boat in it's class. We logged 350 hours in a 2001 270SC and 80
hours in our Intrigue. We have not had any issue that prevented us from
enjoying our boat in either one. That says a lot about Doral quality
and construction. Visit us on the web at http://www.doralowners.com.
You won't go wrong with a Doral.
Baycruiser
__________________
Al Lookingland
Seabok- Doral Intrigue 2005
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Topic: Doral Monticello or Competition
