73 Mandella

[73mandella]

My son has been dilligently working on the boat and he sent me three pictures at work today. We are definately seeing progress.

 

[73mandella]

Still needs more work, but a few more before and after pictures.

 

[73mandella]

Hey RyanPartridge. Here is a photo of the valve covers on ebay. They are $79 with two hours left.

 

[77'Mandella]

Really enjoying the thread! You have some serious elbow grease in this project! It's coming together really nice I'm looking forward to seeing it on the water....hopefully soon.

 

[73mandella]

Thanks 77Mandella. It's getting there. We wanted to get the boat done for summer this year, but that was very optimistic and is not going to happen. The good thing is my son did all the work on the inside and is close to getting it done. The bad thing is he just left for Texas and will be gone for a year. The next real important thing to do is to have some more color sanding done on the deck, dash, and both sides from the nose back to the area of the front seat.

 

[wesco]

The boat looks real good with the red and white.I'm just starting the same project on my 1980 long deck.

Good luck.

 

[73mandella]

Great pictures! Did you paint or gelcoat the hull?

 

[73mandella]

Okay. I am embarrassed to admit that I missed it the first time. What is it with the bottom? I have never seen a step in a Mandella.

 

[77'Mandella]

Okay. I am embarrassed to admit that I missed it the first time. What is it with the bottom? I have never seen a step in a Mandella.

I've never seen the step either.

 

[wesco]

The plate didn't run up under the prop so I had to work on the bottom to change the plate and I wanted to add a small pad just to see what happens.

It's called Duratec.It's a catalyzed surfacing primer.

This is one of my other projects.

 

[wesco]

Any idea how many long decks where built?

 

[73mandella]

Sorry. I do not know.

 

[65Mandella]

Any progress on the 73'?? Been following this thread closely. Boat is coming together great!!!

 

[73mandella]

The restoration, unfortunately, is on hold. I am blaming it on the economy.

 

[HOOTER SLED-]

Anyone have any recommendations on how to remove an exhaust elbow from the exhaust manifold. I've worked for hours and have had absolutely no luck.

Cool rebuild. :thumbsup Did you ever get these elbows off? Need another pair? I have a set in good shape laying around somewhere.

 

[73mandella]

Cool rebuild. :thumbsup Did you ever get these elbows off? Need another pair? I have a set in good shape laying around somewhere.

Thanks. I cannot wait until I get back to working on the boat. It needs to be on a lake, not in pieces in a garage.

Nothing I have tried has worked and I have not been able to get the elbows off yet. I don' need a second set yet, but will keep you in mind if I break something.

 

[wesco]

I finished the paint yesterday.

 

[msmeads]

VERY NICE. Keep up the good work.

 

[65Mandella]

WOW, looks great!!! Did you do the balsa floor as well?

 

[vdcruiser]

Damn, that looks nice. First flat I had was a Metalflake blue and white Stevens, I like it.

 

[wesco]

Thanks

Yes,after cutting out the built in fuel tanks I used 1/2 balsa on the floor.

My uncle took me for my first ride in a v-drive in a Stevens when I five years old.

 

[65Mandella]

Looks like you went over your existing floor with the balsa... Was there an issue with the floor before the balsa, or you do it just for looks and a little extra floor support??? Great job by the way!!! Entire boat looks awesome!!! What hardware and motor you running in it?

 

[wesco]

Thanks

The floor was good just wanted the balsa look.Building a 600ci injected bbc.

 

[73mandella]

I have never been a fan of blue boats, UNTIL NOW. That looks great! Thanks for posting and keep the photos coming.

What kind of tanks are you putting in the boat and who is going to make them?

Richard

 

[wesco]

Thanks Richard
I started out painting it gold,the bottom was done it looked brilliant in the sun but inside it looked olive green so I sanded it off changed to blue.

I'm going to build aluminum tanks trying to get 20 gallons per side.

 

[65Mandella]

Wow, 20 gal. a side??? That is a lot of cruise time!!!!
That blue looks amazing!!! What size tip on your gun did you have to use to shove that metal flake thru??? I'm looking at painting my Mandy either metalflake seafoam or the purple. Not sure yet, but that blue looks great!!! Keep the pics coming!!!

 

[73mandella]

That last photo really shows the blue color and the contrast with the white is beautiful

I have glass tanks and was told that today?s fuel has an additive that will damage the tanks (and the hull). My wife?s cousin, the 63 Mandella, had some tanks made by IMCO. I don?t recall what they cost. I am going to look there when I am able to work on the boat again.

 

[wesco]

The tanks in my boat where soft.Even with the 1/4 gap between the tank and the hall the fuel vapors still effected hall.I added a laminate on the inside and out side.

 

[73mandella]

Okay. I was wondering what the patch on the side was all about.

 

[65Mandella]

Ethanol is terrible for poly resin!! I am using my existing 11 gallon poly tanks and using them as forms (plug) and adding about a gallon or two fuel capacity and laying them up using vinylester resin. They are not glassed in and follow the body line of the hull and don't stick out at all!!
"Most" Vinylester resists ethanol and we are at 10% I believe now ( at least in Oregon, my supplier has the ethanol resistant type of resin ). I'm a painter and glass guy, so cheaper for me to build them than to buy new or have made. Also the hulls on Mandella's do not fit straight 36"-40" tanks the way I'd like them too.
I can make a few more if there is any interest...

 

[73mandella]

I really have no talent or knowledge about this kind of stuff and rely heavily on my brother-in-law when it comes to boats and motors. I may just get in touch with you about the tanks when I am able work on the boat again. I would love to be able to put about 20 gallons on each side.

 

[wesco]

When I get started on the tanks I will send pictures.

 

[Rickybobby]

very nice build, need an update and pictures !!!!!!!

 

[73mandella]

Thanks. Unfortunately, things have changed and I have not been able to work on the boat in more than a year. Hopefully things will change and I will be able to get her finished and in the water someday soon.

very nice build, need an update and pictures !!!!!!!

 

[wesco]

Summer is over time to get back to work on my boat I didn't get much done.I did get to run my Uncles around this summer he added a three speed trans.Any progress on your boat?

 

[wesco]

I haven't done any work on my Mandella lately so i thought I'd post some photos of my brother-in-law's 20 footer. It needs a little work, but the hull is in good shape.

Has your brother in law worked on his boat?I'm still looking for a 20 footer with the flat deck.

 

[73mandella]

I have not worked on the boat at all and it's killing me. There are just too many other things I have to do first. Thanks for posting the pictures of your uncle?s boat. The long deck (or marathon deck as it is sometimes called) is a beautiful hull. You just don't see too many of them for sale.

You asked about my brother-in-law?s 20 footer. He has not done any work on it either. He is busy spending his money on rebuilding the motor, outdrive, and trailer on his 26-foot Caribbean and some work on the 20-foot step-deck. He has three boats that are not running at this time.

 

[wesco]

You think he would sell the 20 footer?

 

[73mandella]

I seriously doubt it. I gave it to him when he remodeled my kitchen and I have first dibs on it if he decides to get rid of it. He has a step-deck that was originally rigged for an outboard if you or anyone else is interested.

 

[wesco]

OK,I'm looking at a step deck but looking for a flat deck,I may have to just make one.

Out testing the race boat last week.

 

[73mandella]

Yeah. The white one is his step deck. The white and red one is his 20-foot standard deck. I have heard that Brummett only made 6 of the standard decks.

 

[wesco]

OK,I'm looking at a step deck this week end.I will post pictures if it comes home with me.

 

[Wheeler]

This boat was in Parker last weekend, nice color. :thumbsup

 

[CampbellCarl]

This boat was in Parker last weekend, nice color. :thumbsup

Pretty sure that model was called the 'Marathon'. The one pictured is missing it's wrap around windshield. There's another one at the boat place/storage dealio just before the bridge (Heading out of town) in Parker. Yellow one also missing its windshield.

CC

 

[wesco]

Farm fresh.After getting pulled over for no tail lights we had to tape some on to get it back to the shop.

 

[73mandella]

Hull looks good! What are your plans? What year is it? Post a few more pictures when you have time.

Farm fresh.After getting pulled over for no tail lights we had to tape some on to get it back to the shop.

 

[wesco]

We are going to cut the deck off and make it a long flat deck.The year is a 1973.This boat was are friends boat 30 years ago.Where not going to start on it until the 18 footer is done.

 

[73mandella]

Went to the boat show to look for engine parts, but there were virtually no venders there. I found Bob Teague and we talked for some time about what I needed to do with my engine. Bob said he had a few Mark IV blocks at the shop, which I needed since my old one was cracked, so I went to his shop last week. I wound up buying a standard bore 454 Chevy, Crane Gold 1.7 marine roller rockers, Crane hydraulic roller lifters, Manley H beam rods, and a Crane cam (.234/.242 - .610/.632). I am going back in a few weeks to have my heads checked and pick up some JE pistons. Feels good to be working on the boat again, even if it is just picking up some parts.

 

[65Mandella]

Awesome Richard!!!
Keep pics coming.

 

[73mandella]

Hey 65mandella,

Do you have any pictures of your boat you can post?

Awesome Richard!!!
Keep pics coming.