Doral Alegria Best Performer In Class
Doral has tested more engine combinations
in their Alegria than most any other builder in a boat this size. With a top speed
of 41 mph this express cruiser is hard to beat. More important, the boat’s best
cruise is at 30.5 mph where she gets slightly over one mile per gallon. The Alegria
with IPS has joystick steering at low speeds making docking easy and fun. But the
real story with this boat is the incredible attention to detail and the extensive
use of wood below which gives the interior a warm and cozy yacht feel. And she is
beautiful; blending European styling with North American functionality.
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See test videos of the Alegria --
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The Business End
Our test model had the hydraulic swim platform as well as the teak inserts on the
platform and cockpit. Storage at the stern is plentiful. Deck lockers, stern lockers,
all dockside service connections, remote for the stereo and a TDI Shore Power Cable
storage system all convenient to make your cruising more enjoyable. The primary
entrance is through double swinging center transom doors that lead one step up into
the aft cockpit. This is unusual and we can think of no other boat that has such a wide thru-transom entryway.
You can get onboard from the swim platform or from the steps molded into the hull
sides and back. For that long cruising lifestyle, you will likely have a tender
or at least a PWC along. If so, you probably will opt for the hydraulic swim platform
option from TNT.
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Party Time
The refreshment center on the cockpit has everything including a refrigerator, ice
maker, grill, sink, storage galore, bottle and drink holders and pressure water.
Simply set up your al fresco meal on the cockpit tables and have everyone relax.
Generous seating for your guests includes a starboard side lounger and a port side
corner lounger with its own teak table. Moving forward in the single level cockpit
to the bridge deck, you have another large C-shaped lounge with its own teak table
with a chart holder in the center of it for comfortable navigation for your partner.
Engine Room
The engine room access includes both a day hatch and a motorized hatch for better
access. Doral’s Alegria is now offered with two engine packages. You may go with
the Volvo Penta IPS 600 joystick drive system which we tested, or the Cummins-MerCruiser
CMD QSB 5.9-425 Zeus 3500 joystick drive with skyhook electronic anchor. Either
way, you will be showing off these engines and the room you have to get around them
for checks and routine maintenance.
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At the Helm
While everyone else is enjoying the lounges and grill, you will be under the standard
fiberglass hardtop having the time of your life with the agility of the joystick
drive system. Pod drive technology has really brought the enjoyment of cruising
to more people. It has reduced the fear (and potentially the expense) of running
into the docks, a piling, or someone else. With just a little on-the-job training,
practically anyone can drive.
The upgraded pilot station is adorned with wood accents
and real wood steering wheel. Standard electronics include electric trim tabs, engine
synchronizer, Faria gauges, Danforth Compass, rudder indicators, and remote spotlight.
A unique stair system unfolds from the surface of the sliding
companionway door to get you safely up through the center opening in the windshield
to go forward when needed. The center windshield slides away with the push of a
button.
On the Bow
Forward is a wide expanse that begins to give you a feel for the room inside. There
are 316 SS streamlined mooring cleats, rails and grab rails for the loungers including
teak drink holders accent the bow. The 12” side decks have courtesy lighting which
accent
her decks like a cruise liner. Standard fender stowage tubes in the pulpit make
it simple to keep the fenders where they are needed. An electric windlass is standard.
You can opt for a polished custom stainless anchor.
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Into the Lap of Luxury
The sliding tinted green companionway door also sports a sliding screen door so
you can enjoy the cooler evenings and mornings without the hassle of bugs buzzing
around inside. This is one thing that you usually don’t see on boats.
Below, In the evenings when you are ready to retire, you can slide a privacy curtain
across the companionway. The solid wood steps lead into the salon and have a sturdy
handrail for safety. Cabin headroom is over 7’.
The cabinetry had exceptionally good fit and finish in our test boat and in our
test
boat’s case, complemented with both Karadon and stainless steel counter tops.
The galley has everything to let your culinary creativity shine. There is a separate
refrigerator and freezer, double burner electric cooktop with matching Karadon cover,
stainless steel coffee maker and stainless steel convection microwave oven and a
bar with glass storage.
The cabin air is maintained with a standard 16,000 BTU system or you can upgrade
to an additional cockpit system with 18,000 BTUs or maximize to a Tropical upgraded
air conditioner system with a total of 36,000 BTUs in two separate systems. The
settee has room for four to six adults with Ultraleather that also converts into
a bed. My test model had the optional leather covering that really felt wonderful.
The matching cherry wood table will be a hit when you serve dinner aboard.
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Staterooms
The forward stateroom has a dedicated 7,000 BTU air conditioning system, full height
lockers are to port and starboard with additional port and starboard cabinets for
your clothes and gear. This stateroom has a queen sized island style bed with under
bed storage and wooden steps leading up to the bed. There is an ensuite head.
The aft stateroom is the toss up for the master. The bed is angled across from starboard
to port. Even with the queen sized bed, you can easily get into bed from either
side. In this cabin you have 61” of overhead at the vanity and 51” at the foot of
the bed. Full cedar lined closets will keep your clothes fresh. If you are a serious
cruiser, I recommend the washer/dryer combo unit that is optional. There is an ensuite
head.
Specifications
Doral’s Alegria measures 45’3” length overall, 51’3” when you consider the swim
extension. She has a 13’10” beam and weighs about 30,000 lbs. She has twin 200 gallon
fuel tanks for extended cruise range and carries 92 gallons of fresh water. Deadrise
is 19 degrees at the stern. The Volvo Penta 600 IPS system is one option for power.
You can also choose a CMD QSB 5.9 Zeus pod drive system.
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The Test Results
We tested the Alegria on a fresh water river close to the Doral plant in Canada,
with five people onboard in rather cool temperature of 66 degrees. The Alegria
maneuvered with ease and turned smoothly as we have come to expect from pod drives.
She was on plane in 6.6 seconds and up to 30 mph in 12.6 seconds. Her top speed
was 41 mph or 35.6 knots at 3620 rpm delivering .93 mpg. Her most economical cruising
speed was at 3000 rpm and 30.5 mph or 26.5 knots delivering 1.07 mpg for a full
tank range of 386 miles.
Conclusion
Doral builds on a small scale which allows the customer to have a lot of input on
how a boat is completed. If you are looking for a premium yacht with exceptional
handling, and a boat that is not a clone of a dozen other boats on the dock, then
Doral Alegria with pod drives should be a solid choice on your wish list.
See test videos of the Alegria --
See tests of all Doral boats --