need info on manatee boats

[screenbuzz]

i have recently purchased a 1981 18'V hull center console Manatee boat. the boat needs a little TLC but other than that it is in good shape.there is a 2ft what i call swim deck that wraps around the outboard i use the boat for fishing and family recreation. the boat rides smooth and planes very nicely.i have tried searching for info on the boat but to no avail. i know that the boat company was in Florida and that their no longer in business. other than that i don't know much about these boats. does anyone here own or have once owned a Manatee boat and be willing to share a little with me on them. are these good well made boats or were these boats poor manufacturing a result of the company going out of business.

 

[Setharies]

Re: need info on manatee boats

Hey screenbuzz<br /> I am on my second Manatee. Owned a 18'8VBR back around 1983, sold that one to a friend who still owns and runs her in Long Island Sound. Currently have a 1985 21' cuddy model which i found and purchased 4 years ago. She needed little tlc but was otherwise a sound hull. I had spoken to manatee when they were still in business and found them to be willing to answer any questions I had at the time...always called back. I have not found much about them on the web either. There are two other Manatees in my marina all running strong with happy owners. I have a little rit starting on my cuddy's port windows but other than that she is still sound...floor is even solid which says something for a 17 year old boat. You might be able to find a dealer in your area that used to carry the brand that might have some info. I spoke to one here at oe of the boat shows...said he sold quite afew of them with very few complaints. Have had mine out in some pretty nasty stuff and she has never let me down....good luck with yours

 

[screenbuzz]

Re: need info on manatee boats

thanks Setharies for for the info. mine is a 1981 model which puts her somewhere in the neighborhood of 20-21 years old. hull is sound and no soft spots in the floor. so yea after that many years and still holding up says alot for the manatee craftmanship. thanks again for your feedback.