1969 Mandella

[73mandella]

Just picked up a 1969 Mandella marathon/long deck. Don't have much history on the boat. If you have some, please add.

 

[santos4racing]

Just picked up a 1969 Mandella marathon/long deck, but wife isn't too fond of the art work. Don't have much history on the boat. If you have some, please add.

Does it have a Ford in it, registered on Montana????

 

[73mandella]

yes

Does it have a Ford in it, registered on Montana????

 

[73mandella]

The rigging is similar to what we've seen in some older marathon boats and we?re wondering if it was used for that purpose in the past.

Does it have a Ford in it, registered on Montana????

 

[santos4racing]

yes

I talked to the owner about it around March this year. Give him a call-Bill 406-291-3911

 

[73mandella]

This is my brother-in-law's Mandella step deck.

 

[73mandella]

I mentioned in another thread that I need to be careful what I say to my wife and son. That time it was about a tunnel ram for the 1973 Mandella. Since we're finally done with it and are now enjoying using it, I mentioned that it would be great to find a long deck Mandella. I looked for years and failed to pull the trigger on a couple I found. My son took it to heart and found a long deck. After a few phone calls, my wife's insistence that we not lose this one, some negotiating with my brother-in-law's help, and a trip to the river, we now own a 1969 long deck Mandella. The plan is to finish my father-in-law's 1979 Eliminator Sprint first and we can then start on the long deck. My guess is it will take another six months to finish the Eliminator.

The basic plan is to paint (maybe gelcoat) the Mandella deck white and the bottom brown. My wife wants it to look somewhat like Raw-Hide, except that she doesn't like metal flake. I wanted a blower motor, but that is out, so I'm planning on a naturally aspirated 800+ HP engine and my son wants it Ford powered. He built a 691HP Ford for his 1977 Caribbean jet (the old family boat he grew up with). It also has to have a Velvet drive or a transmission. My other son said since I picked most everything on the 73 Mandella, mom should be able to decide how this one will be built.

Only time will tell what we'll finally end up with.

 

[KevinR]

A big congratulations to you! I saw that boat two years ago at Billy B's event in Needles.

Looking forward to seeing you and your family bringing it back to life!

 

[MOUZER]

thats what im talking about right there...............sweeeeeeeeeeet..........:thumbsup:thumbsup

 

[73mandella]

My son and father-in-law stopped by Brummett's today. I never thought about it, but he has never been to the shop. Some good news, the boat was apparently rigged by Brummett. Since it's a '69, that means Lou did the rigging.

My son asked about getting a splash guard and Carson said he would make sure to get one. He is also going to look for Mandella badges. My son told him that mom wanted to have the boat painted Raw-Hide brown and Carson told him he would get him the color specs. They also talked about the foot-override since the '69 has stainless fuel tanks on the outboard side of the stringers and Carson made some suggestions. Since I wanted about 850 hp, Carson recommended modifying the bottom if we intended to build an engine with that much horse power.

My son was thoroughly impress with how much time Carson spent talking to him and how willing Carson was to share information.

Carson Brummett is one class act!

 

[KevinR]

My son and father-in-law stopped by Brummett's today. I never thought about it, but he has never been to the shop. Some good news, the boat was apparently rigged by Brummett. Since it's a '69, that means Lou did the rigging.

My son asked about getting a splash guard and Carson said he would make sure to get one. He is also going to look for Mandella badges. My son told him that mom wanted to have the boat painted Raw-Hide brown and Carson told him he would get him the color specs. They also talked about the foot-override since the '69 has stainless fuel tanks on the outboard side of the stringers and Carson made some suggestions. Since I wanted about 850 hp, Carson recommended modifying the bottom if we intended to build an engine with that much horse power.

My son was thoroughly impress with how much time Carson spent talking to him and how willing Carson was to share information.

Carson Brummett is one class act!

Yes he is. Came from phenomenal stock. I had the opportunity to meet him for the first time in 1972 when they were laying up an 18 foot flat bottom for my dad to do his own rigging. Carson was selling his 1970 BOSS 302 Mustang and when we saw it I bugged my dad to let me buy it as I was 16 and looking for my first car. What a great car that was. :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[wsuwrhr]

Reading your OP I am left to wonder, does your wife have any sisters she has been wanting to marry off?

I have never gotten that type of support.

Brian

 

[73mandella]

Reading your OP I am left to wonder, does your wife have any sisters she has been wanting to marry off?

I have never gotten that type of support.

Brian

Thank you. In 1977, we had been married for 7 years. I had to work so my wife went to the LA boat show with her brother. When she came home, we owned a 1977 Caribbean ski boat. She paid $7000 for it and my son now owns the boat. We actually had to go out and buy a car because we only owned a Toyota and a VW bug.

Sorry, no sisters

 

[73mandella]

We're nowhere ready to work in this project yet because we have to finish my father-in-law's Eliminator Sprint first. He's had the boat for more than a year and we just started working on it. My guess is another 4 months or so before it's done. That, howerver, doesn't mean we can't make plans for Mandella.

My son and I have been talking about engines and want to go Ford. The main reason is because most everyone is telling us to go Chevy and my son has already built a naturally aspirated 691hp Ford for his jet. My son may also have convinced his mother that it is okay to go with a blower (she has been adamantly opposed to it thus far). He and his grandfather stopped by Hampton Blowers in Downey, California, and talked engine specs. They liked what they heard. He also contacted Kasse and got some build specs for a 521cubic inch Ford (460 block) that would produce about 850hp using a Hampton 8-71 blower with two Demon 750 carbs.

It's only time and money.

 

[KevinR]

We're nowhere ready to work in this project yet because we have to finish my father-in-law's Eliminator Sprint first. He's had the boat for more than a year and we just started working on it. My guess is another 4 months or so before it's done. That, howerver, doesn't mean we can't make plans for Mandella.

My son and I have been talking about engines and want to go Ford. The main reason is because most everyone is telling us to go Chevy and my son has already built a naturally aspirated 691hp Ford for his jet. My son may also have convinced his mother that it is okay to go with a blower (she has been adamantly opposed to it thus far). He and his grandfather stopped by Hampton Blowers in Downey, California, and talked engine specs. They liked what they heard. He also contacted Kasse and got some build specs for a 521cubic inch Ford (460 block) that would produce about 850hp using a Hampton 8-71 blower with two Demon 750 carbs.

It's only time and money.

Great options to have huh?
I'm a Ford guy in this situation. Go with the choice of those times. 427 Hi Ram with Dual Quads.
Either way we look forward to your great opportunity to bring this baby back to life.

 

[94Nautique]

I like it!

 

[73mandella]

I gave my father-in-law the1969 marathon deck Mandella and its been at Eddies in Tucson for for awhile now. The plan is to do some plate work and change the prop shaft from 12 to 10 degrees to change the ride. Eddies will also paint the hull similar to Rawhide colors but not metal flake. We ordered and received a Robert Pond 427 side-oiler and bare heads. We've also put some money down on a Hampton 8-71 blower. My father-in-law is also planning to put a Velvet Drive in it (He said he will not own a boat without a reverse). Lou, at A-1 Canvas, is his son and will do the upholstery.

Progress is slow - maybe some time towards the end of nest year.

 

[AzMandella]

You sure he's going to change the v-drive from 10 to 12 . That wont change the ride . Changing the strut angle will do that . I have seen the boat at Eddies .

 

[AzMandella]

You sure he's going to change the v-drive from 10 to 12 . That wont change the ride . Changing the strut angle will do that . I have seen the boat at Eddies .

What made you go with Pond . I bought Bare Block Motors 427 FE Block and their heads For my 69 short Deck Eddie is doing . Heads are getting a CNC port job right now .

 

[73mandella]

You sure he's going to change the v-drive from 10 to 12 . That wont change the ride . Changing the strut angle will do that . I have seen the boat at Eddies .

Change from 12 to 10 degrees, that's what my father-in-law told me. I'll check with him again. We were at Eddies yesterday to drop off a velvet drive but he wasn't at the shop, he was out in a job. His father was there and it was great talking to him.

 

[73mandella]

What made you go with Pond . I bought Bare Block Motors 427 FE Block and their heads For my 69 short Deck Eddie is doing . Heads are getting a CNC port job right now .

My son was looking a Pond blocks when he was working on his jet but stuck with the original 460 (punched out over 500 cubic inches). He also spoke to Bare Block Motors and looked at Shelby but I can't really say why he selected Pond. I'm not an engine guy and wouldn't understand anyway if the told me. The block is at a friend's place (MPR), they're working on another project together at this time and will start on the 427 when done.

 

[73mandella]

As I said in another post, my father-in-law and I were at Eddies to drop off he Velvet drive but he wasn't there. It was a 987 mile round trip. We left Bellflower at 9:15am on Friday and got home at after 7pm on Saturday. His father showed us a Brummett they just pulled out of the mold while we were there and it looks fantastic. The deck was in another building, so we didn't get a chance to see it.

My father-in-law did get to speak to Eddie and was told his boat was being sanded to get it ready for the the paint. Eddie is also working on the V-Drive, it's a top loader. He said the gears were 17's and were in great shape. That's always good news. Other than that, my wife decided to buy her dad new Cragar mags for the trailer. It's great to finally see some movement on the project.

 

[River Dirt 2]

Awesome, first 21’ out of the molds in maybe 30 years! More progress pics if you get a chance.

 

[AzMandella]

Awesome, first 21’ out of the molds in maybe 30 years! More progress pics if you get a chance.

They also have the 18' mold and the molds for both the longdeck and the shortdeck

 

[rivermobster]

I gave my father-in-law the1969 marathon deck Mandella and its been at Eddies in Tucson for for awhile now. The plan is to do some plate work and change the prop shaft from 12 to 10 degrees to change the ride. Eddies will also paint the hull similar to Rawhide colors but not metal flake. We ordered and received a Robert Pond 427 side-oiler and bare heads. We've also put some money down on a Hampton 8-71 blower. My father-in-law is also planning to put a Velvet Drive in it (He said he will not own a boat without a reverse). Lou, at A-1 Canvas, is his son and will do the upholstery.

Progress is slow - maybe some time towards the end of nest year.

Lou and I were talking the other day about some raw FE castings...

I'm guessing now, that he was referring to you?

 

[73mandella]

Lou and I were talking the other day about some raw FE castings...

I'm guessing now, that he was referring to you?

I'm just the guy who makes the posts. My son, Steve, is doing the research and engine work with help. He was talking to his uncle (Lou at A1) the other day about the Pond block.

 

[73mandella]

Seems it takes forever to restore a boat. The hull is getting painted but still needs the blast shield installed, the prop shaft re-drilled from 12 degrees to 10 degrees, and the V-drive installed. It should come home after that. The Pond 427 FE has had all the machine work done and we have the crank, connecting rods, pistons, and the Pond heads. We also brought home the Hampton 8-71 blower, the Offy intake manifold, the chiller, and carbs. Not sure when we'll be able to actually start building the engine because we have a couple other projects that need to get done first.

.

 

[Eliminator21vdrive]

Big flake rules!

 

[MOUZER]

So cool.......

 

[AzMandella]

I was suprised when you said the blast plate needed to be installed . Usually the longdecks don't have a blast plate per say . They would have butterfly cav plates that would taper foreward to the back of the strut and also be the blast plate . I looked and your's and it does have a blast plate . The cav plates are the same as the ones they put on the shortdecks . Just square edged and the recess on the hull is straight across the back about a foot from the back . Funny thing is my shortdeck has the butterfly plates . Eddie said he's never seen that before . Eddie Sr said my father had it ordered that way .

 

[73mandella]

A few more pictures.

 

[AzMandella]

Yep it's looking good . I usually stop by the boat shop one or two times a week . Was looking at it last Thurs . It will look even better once it gets the final color sanding . 3000 grit i think and water .

 

[73mandella]

Yep it's looking good . I usually stop by the boat shop one or two times a week . Was looking at it last Thurs . It will look even better once it gets the final color sanding . 3000 grit i think and water .

Thanks. Unfortunately we're almost 500 miles away away an have only seen the boat about three times since it was dropped off. We're looking forward to getting back so we can finish the project. My father-in-law (who owns the boat) is 94 years old. Hopefully we can get launch it before he turns 95!

 

[AzMandella]

Thanks. Unfortunately we're almost 500 miles away away an have only seen the boat about three times since it was dropped off. We're looking forward to getting back so we can finish the project. My father-in-law (who owns the boat) is 94 years old. Hopefully we can get launch it before he turns 95!

It takes alot of hours to restore a hull . Especially when the whole floor is covered in glue from putting carpet in . I was there yesterday and they were doing fiberglass work on the floor . But getting rid of the glue is taking alot of time .

 

[74 spectra20 v-drive]

looking great, i have to ask you if the Raw Hide boat was your inspiration? I love old Elvis movies and just watched Clam Bake with that Mandela in it.

 

[73mandella]

looking great, i have to ask you if the Raw Hide boat was your inspiration? I love old Elvis movies and just watched Clam Bake with that Mandela in it.

My wife's dad let her pick the color and Rawhide was the inspiration. This one looks more orange than the Rawhide brown. My father-in-law bought his original Mandella in 1963 and it's still in the family. He use to go to Burmmett's shop and help out.

 

[74 spectra20 v-drive]

Your FIL is such a neat guy and what a spirt that man has, i still remember him and his hand shake from B&K...

 

[73mandella]

Your FIL is such a neat guy and what a spirt that man has, i still remember him and his hand shake from B&K...

That was a long time ago, thank you. Lou is a hard guy to tie down and is always on the go.

 

[73mandella]

We were told the Mandella will be ready to come home on October 7. I think my father-in-law and his son will pick her up. The hull will be at our house, so we have to finish installing the engine in my son's 84 Chevy pickup (formerly grandpa's truck) and installing the engine in my other son's 73 Mandella (had some issues and had to be rebuilt). Just trying to fit a lot of work in a short period of time since we all still work for a living. Here's some photos of the engine being mocked up.

By the way, what are your thoughts on the flame arresters? We're doing out best to keep the build period correct (1969)?

 

[MOUZER]

think it needs a bigger and taller motor lol

 

[TonyFanelli]

Any of you guys in Havasu know Jim Starbuck??

 

[73mandella]

think it needs a bigger and taller motor lol

I know, we weren't planning on the chiller. I was thinking about some K&N velocity stacks; that's why I asked about the flame arrestors.

 

[MOUZER]

nice........................

 

[73mandella]

Received a few more pictures of the boat.

 

[Backlash]

Good Lord that is stunning!!!!