1962 Mandella

[Dkahnjob]

Beautiful boat and nice job on the install.

 

[Racey]

Very very cool!

 

[RichL]

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Upholstery is in. Just a couple of minor details and done. Sooooon!

Interesting layout on the seating. Don't recall seeing that before. Looks great.

 

[rrrr]

The boat is looking fantastic!

You gotta get a '62 Town & Country wagon to tow it...

 

[4Waters]

The boat is looking fantastic!

You gotta get a '62 Town & Country wagon to tow it...

Or this

 

[rightytighty]

Interesting layout on the seating. Don't recall seeing that before. Looks great.

This layout was done after the mudslide repair in 1980. I just sanded and reglassed the frames. The upholstery is still fantastic.

The “trick” to keeping it so nice? Mineral spirit wipe down twice a season. Kid you not. I would never have said that in a post if I didn’t have 42 year old upholstery as proof.

Dave always said it put oils back into the upholstery and wouldn’t eat the thread.

I’m afraid to try it on my newer boats but not this one.

 

[rightytighty]

The boat is looking fantastic!

You gotta get a '62 Town & Country wagon to tow it...

Yeah- no. Something nice about a reliable tow vehicle with 4wd and AC.

I did tow with a ‘73 suburban 4wd and a 70 gmc 4sp /granny low with a locker for many , many years.

As fond as those memories are, no going back on the vehicle side…

 

[rightytighty]

Final post.

This is really why I

did it.

My son got to ski behind the Mandella today and my wife was flagging. It brought back so many good memories from when I was his age.

He loved the wake and I loved his smile.

As good as it gets!

 

[Dunerking]

Awesome thread and restore! Your son has to be having fun laying the shoulders over on those turns!

 

[SkiDoc]

Thats why I really enjoy my 63 Rayson Craft. Skiing and tubling behind it is awesome. Everyone takes a turn. I can't get enough of the smell and the sound when your behind the boat.
My son who is 26 now loves ours, is just as valuable to us as our DCB. Vdrive people just get it.

 

[rush1]

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I'll trade you my left nut for that boat straight across ?

 

[rightytighty]

A little update.

The boat is running well again. It had a few minor issues to work through. Once i found the loose ground wire, the annoying bouncy gauges were fixed. Of course it had to be the only location that is PITA to get to.

Minor tuning changes on the new carb got rid of the flat spot off idle and now she is happy.

Had a cool spot of luck— the original neovane 505 water pump housing was pretty worn out. The shaft was really sloppy loose. I was worried about water leaking into the engine.

So i started a search looking for a new housing in better condition. No luck. So late summer I was cleaning out the garage and I found a box of goodies that Dave (1st post buddy) gave me, left over from his mandella. Wouldnt you know it- a perfect condition neovane 505 pump housing.

Switched it over and all is good now.

 

[rightytighty]

And being that the engine is damm near 65 years old, i decided a spare would be prudent for the long run.

I shared some pics in the engine section but decided to consolidate here ( plus I know many never get to the engine area.

With the help of a friend , ive rounded up a spare 392 for a rainy day.
Here’s some pics.

 

[RiverDave]

That is sanitary!!

 

[rightytighty]

Out for a run today!

 

[rightytighty]

Out with a buddy and his Rogers jet boat. Glass water and 70plus degrees. Bitchen!

Rogers has my old Obnoxious 565” and ran 68 on gps. Its a heavy tank. Makes the mandella look and feel puny. Pretty damm fun day!

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[Romans9]

Great thread!

Love the nostalgia!
Super cool boat and story.

 

[J DUNN]

Beautiful boats!!!!! Thanks for sharing! It’s also cool to hear how much fun you have running them AND caring for the Mandela! Good Stuff!

 

[Wombat]

Great thread, love the old 392 Hemi's and a great job overall restoring the old girl.

 

[rightytighty]

Beautiful boats!!!!! Thanks for sharing! It’s also cool to hear how much fun you have running them AND caring for the Mandela! Good Stuff!

Thank you. Old flatbottoms are so visceral with the v drive whine, the throttle at one with your foot, engine noises, wind in the face, sitting at water level, precise steering. You are so disconnected from all that in a modern boat.

Do I want to do it every day. Probably not. Is it the best boating possible when the weather and water cooperate? I think so.

 

[rrrr]

Out for a run today! View attachment 1297980 View attachment 1297981 View attachment 1297982

You deserve the grin. It's beautiful!

 

[Willie B]

Thank you. Old flatbottoms are so visceral with the v drive whine, the throttle at one with your foot, engine noises, wind in the face, sitting at water level, precise steering. You are so disconnected from all that in a modern boat.

Do I want to do it every day. Probably not. Is it the best boating possible when the weather and water cooperate? I think so.

… I definitely agree with you on the feel of an old flatbottom Vdrive… I’ve never been in a modern day boat, so I don’t know what to think about those… great work on the Mandella and thank you for keeping my youthfull memories of Pine Flat alive..: