Man O' Man, Arenacraft Manta On Ebay For Sale!
Cool fins, cool color cool cushion!
Wow, Wow and more Wow, what a cool boat. Regardless of the material that its made of, its cool factor pegs the needle. It’s been lovingly over restored and clearly loved and documented and presented very well. This is how to sell a boat on ebay. Just the way we like them. Here is the description from Brian the seller. Take it away Brian! By the way, Brian has no idea we are featuring his boat today! Someones gotta know Brian! Wait, m-fine likes Bacon, and we are all 6 degress away from knowing Kevin Bacon.. And so, bacon starts with a B.. See, Brian and us are as close as .. M fines bacon!
A cool look, no matter what angle its seen!
Next to a very cool Chris Craft!
This is a VERY rare Arenacraft Manta. It is a 1961 V-drive. They made this hull from 1958 to 1961 and only made around 30 in a V-drive configuration. I have searched for 4 years and only know of 2 others. If you know of one I would like to hear from you. This one has been fully restored. The deck was separated from the hull and new stringers and floor installed. The area below the floor is filled with floatation foam. It has a new fuel tank.
The 312 Ford Y-block rated at 215hp was rebuilt including rebored new pistons, new cam, new oil pump, heads reworked with hardened valve seats, ect., ect. The transmission was rebuilt and the V-drive has all new bearings, u-joints and gears. The seats are new including the wood, foam, and custom vinyl. It runs smooth and strong and gets on plane easily with a top speed at 40+ MPH. It has a very solid feel and handles nicely like a 80’s Ski-Nautique. The trailer has been sand blasted and painted with Rust Oleum it has bearing buddies, new wiring and custom tail lights.
Dang sweet plasticky goodness!
Loved the Arena until I saw it docked next to the XK.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – it is hard to compare $10k boats with $40k boats, and $30k boats with $150k boats – there has to be some basic consideration of price. There is a reason that a restored XK is $45-$50k+ and some of the lesser, earlier glass boats are much cheaper. Popularity and styling have something to do with it. Comparing these is hard because they are not really similar in any way, design wise. I probably prefer the CC because I like sleek, simple design more than I like “loud” or tricked out. But, this thing has a ton going for it and it probably represents a great opportunity at the price point is it likely to reach.
I love XK’s because they are sleek, sophisticated and more or less brilliant. If I was talking about a very high end car, I would prefer an Aston Martin 9 times out of 10 over a Lamborghini because I like the Aston’s bold but elegant style. But, unless I wanted to spend $250k, what difference does it make? I am stuck buying something cheaper and it is possible that the buyer of a $10k glass boat is not choosing between that and a $50k boat. In this case, I find the Arenacraft to be one of the most interesting “glassics” I have seen in recent times. Cost as a contributor to the overall frame of reference can’t be diminished.
That is a lot of words to say-
“That is one COOL inexpensive boat!”
He is probably stuck on the side of a road somewhere with plenty of time to kill as he waits for the tow truck.
Too funny guys. Do you guys perform as a duo at boat shows?:)
Well, not exactly – I just finished breakfast with the lovely Carla in Traverse City, MI and the notably less lovely Mike Watson and Mike Green as well. No break downs, but I do not have a seat due to overbooking on one of my flight legs home today – does that count?
Getting stuck in an airport certainly counts. I must say, as someone who has no issue flying in 1930’s twig and cloth aircraft, or floating around an old glider etc., I find the idea of getting on an airplane, even a modern airliner, with you is quite frightening! Hopefully getting stuck in airports is the worst flying catastrophe you ever endure.
It is a cool boat but I am sure the current owner has sunk way more money into it than it is worth. I hope he set his reserve at a reasonable level and it sells.
I’m with Chad on this one. That is a cool looking boat, but when you see it next to that XK it kind of becomes lame.
WAIT, WAIT do you get the cool matching van in the pictures? That would bring the cool level WAY up!
“She’s gonna love me in my Chevy van and that’s all right with me.”
PS: Matt it kind of scares me when your logic actually makes sense to me.
M-Fine/Bacon-Kevin Bacon/B-B/Brian It makes total sense!
Very cool Arenacraft! That boat company alone would be worth a great historical write up as they had some unique designs and were very high end in the day. Comparing the Arenacraft to the XK is not really a fair assessment. They were built years apart and those years represented major design changes. Think about the design changes in the automotive industry from 1961 versus 1969 and maybe that becomes more evident. Always fun to have Woodyboater start my day! A lot of good values in the marketplace today!
I would call this one a “novelty” boat. It wasn’t built as a performer and the style is hopelessly pegged to a brief automotive styling cue that died about the time (or before) this boat was made.
If you have a 57 Chevy (or another winged classic) show car and want an accessory to put you over the top on the classic car show circuit this boat may do the trick. And it has been lovingly restored to boot.
But, on it’s own merits as a watercraft and in comparison to other 60’s era plastic boats there is no reason to edify this boat. Besides the “wings” most of the classic vehicles that sported them have other attributes that perpetuated their success.
This boat will not perform like a ’65 Donzi and looks ridiculous beside an XK. I would be willing to bet the true utility derived from this boat is quite minimal. And even if you like it… the novelty will wear off as quickly as the winged styling died.
Cool? …Only until I walk to the next slip. But, maybe it is someone else’s cup of tea.
Sean. I agree with you.
However, “edify?” Don’t you mean “deify?”
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m no Paul Harrison. I had to look the word up to be sure.
So go ahead and besmirch me for pointing it out. Wait. Not besmirch. I mean, bitchslap.
Hey, whatever word “floats yer boat”…
I don’t think WB meant to “deify” this plastic prize but, coverage here certainly serves to uplift its status a notch or two. I’ll stick with edify. No bitchslap required. 🙂
Glorify? Idolize? I don’t think edify would normally fit, but here in woodyboaterville mistakes in spelling, grammar, word selection and geography are encouraged so I guess it is good.
Sure it’s good! We call boats “She” and attribute human qualities to them… yes, technically you can’t edify an inanimate object but, a boat (even this plastic princess) has a “soul” to a boater… and it is a lot easier than saying “improve and uplift the spirit of this boat” or “build up it’s character”… just to show that attention here on WB gives it more credibility as a collectable.
Damn, this is just what I am looking for! Cool Stylin, right length, inboard, restored right, and on a cool trailer.
Only if I had the extra cash now, gotta get the Lyman sold, so when deals like this pop up, I can jump on them…
The cool factor goes up a bit when you investigate the owner/founder/people behind Arena Craft – Just sayin’….
😉
Looks like they copied a lot of the lines from the Silver Arrow which is also much better looking. Curious how they squeezed that 312 under that low aft deck.
Side draft carbs?
1961 Buick LeSabre/Invicta tail lights on the boat trailer
What a surprise to look at WB today and see my friend Brian’s Arena Craft Manta on the header. This boat was in such bad shape I’m not sure it would have been saved but for Brian’s painstaking efforts. He deserves our thanks for preserving a rare piece of boating history. I’ll miss seeing it on Lake James, where it was in good company with a number of classic boats, including my XK19 pictured next to it. We have a wheels & keels show the last Saturday of each July on Lake James that gets bigger and better each year. Mark your calendars!
Great looking XK, Victor!
Below is a FAIR comparison for the XK – The 73 Dan Arena 21 Custom.
The last several days have been anything but “Woody”. But they sure are fun. And….that’s what I’m after is fun: be it on the water in a 20’s-30’s triple or ????. I’m still in a bit of an emotional quandary over that Chrysler 105 from Sunday. I’ll tell you it pushed my button. Couple of reasons. I’ve owned Chrysler vehicles since the late 60’s. We all have our allegiances and Chrysler products happen to be mine. I think this Arenacraft is neat. Further it is an inboard with an Interceptor 312 and a “V” drive. It looks like fun. But the Chrysler 105 just tugged something and I want it. I think the Chrysler outboards of this vintage were beautifully styled. Never mind they were less than undependable. I think the inboard version of that 105 is less attractive than the ouboard. There was some speculation about the stringers in the 105 and some other things. I’ve talked with the owner (seller) and it seems those concerns could be (subject) to inspection) non-concerns. What do you value a boat like this Arenacraft or the Chrysler 105 at? The Chrysler is listed for best offer. Could you buy this for a “song”. It appears so.
I think we are creating a new market for a new class of “collector” boats and the era is being created around us as we push screws into our mahogany and lay on numerous coats of varnish.
Matt and Texx……kudos for having the courage to brace the “old school” and shine the lite on this new class of collectibles.
Jack, your comment about the Chryslet 105 and tuggin at your heart, is the same way todays boat is doin to ME!
Damn you Matt, I lost a whole day of office work today, because of you and this boat!
I even called Brian the owner, and had a long talk with him, Nice guy by the way.
Then I just got a call from Lou over at the Antique Boat Center telling me he has a guy flying in Friday just to see one boat, MINE! Man, it isn’t even December, and this web surffin is just killing me. Too many boats, and not enough time OR MONEY…
Jack – Since I ran the story on the Chrysler 105 a few days ago, I have also been thinking about what it could be worth (I am not interested in owning another classic boat) – just curious what the “make an offer price” should be.
Of course it’s all based on condition in this case. Guess 3K – 4K? Thoughts?
Like Jack said, “I think we are creating a new market for a new class of “collector” boats and the era is being created around us as we push screws into our mahogany and lay on numerous coats of varnish”
Yes there is a big swell of interest in this type of boating… Low entry costs, low maintenance, high on the wow and fun factor… Truly a new wave happening. I see the light, and I aim to jump in both feet.
Not every boat will trip everyones trigger. No matter what material the boat is made of, we all have our favorites. Lapstrake hulls, carvel planked hulls, step hulls, hydros, painted hulls, varnished hulls, aluminum, steel, wood, plywood, fiberglass, outboard, inboard, IO, Vdrive, jet drive, the list goes on and on. I just enjoy seeing all of the variety and the talent that has gone into aquiring, restoring and taking care of them. Thanks Woodyboater for bringing so much attention to a variety of the evolving history of boating and all that goes along with this ride. Woodyboater is my first visit each and every morning!
i know where one is for 200 bucks.
There are some really cool glass boats
Turquoise! Lets get back to that! Turquoise interiors look fantastico with Mahogany! Turquoise in any form is my favorite!
Ronnie and I owned one just like that in 1992. we still droll over the sexy stylin of that boat. We have a 24″ 36″ framed picture of Ronnie cruising by in that boat, hanging on our wall to this day…