1980 21 ft Manatee, needs a lot of work, anyone have Manatee Experience?

[Dbaldridge78]

I can?t find any information on these boats anywhere. I stopped by a local marina by my house, and the guy working there said he has never heard of the make. I know they were built in the mid 70?s to the end of the 80?s and went out of business. They were based in Florida, and that?s about it. It has an Evinrude 150 on it.

The boat has been sitting for like 10 years, low hours on the engine. The boat came from my wife?s Grandparents, Cousins house. They are millionaires now days, and haven?t touched the poor thing in years. They have nicer stuff? They are getting older now, but couldn?t find the heart to give the thing away to just anyone because of all the memories. So this is where I, and my brother in law come in.

I?ve been wanting a boat my whole life, and who can pass up a free one. Only way to learn. And I think I will learn a lot with this baby. Looks like it will need a new floor, and an engine overhaul. Then I can make it pretty once I know it will function. Here are some pictures.




Tell me what you guys think I should do first. There is plenty? Please ask as many questions as you want.
Thanks

 

[Dbaldridge78]

Re: 1980 21 ft Manatee, needs a lot of work, anyone have Manatee Experience?

More pics, didnt know you could only load 5

View attachment 115801View attachment 115802

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1980 21 ft Manatee, needs a lot of work, anyone have Manatee Experience?

Welcome! I have certainly heard of Manatees and have seen a number of them on this site a couple of which were even from your area. From what I understand they were pretty heavy duty boats. Yours has been sitting though, probably uncovered, which means you could certainly have deck/stringer/transom rot to deal with. Fixable but a lot of work. I'd get the motor running first cuz that's really the major part of the overall rig's value. Check out the two threads below. Ironically, they're both practically your neighbors.

Very similar boat
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=469925

Manatee
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=361424

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1980 21 ft Manatee, needs a lot of work, anyone have Manatee Experience?

Welcome to iboats and nice project you got there. By the way, there is no such thing as a free boat as you soon will find out Is the engine froze up that you think it needs an overhaul? Outboards can sit for very long periods of time and still fire up with a little work.

 

[zopperman]

Re: 1980 21 ft Manatee, needs a lot of work, anyone have Manatee Experience?

take a look at my sig...

Thought it was a starcraft...
hull is built like a brick sh*thouse... the stringers are a solid 2" thick glass encased wood and my transom is dry after 8 years uncovered.

 

[Dbaldridge78]

Re: 1980 21 ft Manatee, needs a lot of work, anyone have Manatee Experience?

Thanks man, yea still getting used to this site.. Apparently the Engine only has 50 hours on it, so im going to clean it up. Replace the normal things like the thermostat, change the oil, and make sure the gas tank is cleaned out, and the fuel i put it it is treated pretty good. First thing i need to do is get a trailer hitch put on the SUV so i can get the damn thing closer to the house so i can actually work on it without walking 50 yards to the garage. Ha Ha After i get the engine fired up, the floor is getting torn out pronto.. Yesterday i found a 6 ft snake skin laying in it, freaked me and the wife out.. Thanks man, looks like it will be the engine first.. Hope she runs.. The owners, and the grandfather said she should with some minor repairs.. We shall see though.. And that is great news about the transom, and the hull Zopperman

 

[zopperman]

Re: 1980 21 ft Manatee, needs a lot of work, anyone have Manatee Experience?

any update?

 

[Damifudo]

Re: 1980 21 ft Manatee, needs a lot of work, anyone have Manatee Experience?

Hey how is the project? I am in Maryland too if you need advice or help? I love my Manatee. it needs a playmate

 

[vwsonny]

Re: 1980 21 ft Manatee, needs a lot of work, anyone have Manatee Experience?

How is the project coming, I also live in MD, And have a Manatee. Want to Restore mine soon as well.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: 1980 21 ft Manatee, needs a lot of work, anyone have Manatee Experience?

I also have a manatee...1976 15' tri-hull.