20-foot Mandella wood deck

[73mandella]

Well, my brother-in-law (A-1 Canvas) is finally moving forward with replacing the step-deck with a wood deck from Harlen Orrin; the boat was dropped off yesterday. The boat, a 20-foot Mandella step-deck, was rigged with an outboard when he bought it used and it sat for more than 15 years at his shop. He also has a 20-foot with the standard style deck but didn’t want to put the wood deck on it because there were only 4 or 6 of that hull style built. He’s talking with Carson and is planning to use a Chevy with one of Brummett’s intake manifold, a supper chiller, and a 10-71 blower. I’m not sure who he’s working with on the engine build.

 

[Travmon]

Subscribed , please keep the build pics going

 

[Backlash]

I would LOVE to be able to work alongside Mr. Orrin for a few years. The knowledge and talent he has are second to none. What a fantastic opportunity for you guys!! That boat is going to turn out AMAZING!!!!

 

[fat rat]

Great build thread…keep us updated!

 

[Willie B]

… wow the master is still at it…

 

[MK1MOD0]

This is what this site is about. Love the pics and please keep them coming. It’s going to be beautiful when fished with that blown chevy in it !

ps. With they need to reinforce the stringers in this hull ?

 

[AzMandella]

This is what this site is about. Love the pics and please keep them coming. It’s going to be beautiful when fished with that blown chevy in it !

ps. With they need to reinforce the stringers in this hull ?

Unless the stringers are damaged no . Mandella's are built like brick shithouses .

 

[sirbob]

I can’t tell you how many times I have dreamed about having him work on a project for me. I have two or three versions in my head that I would love to build one day. I can’t wait to see your finished product!

 

[73mandella]

This is what this site is about. Love the pics and please keep them coming. It’s going to be beautiful when fished with that blown chevy in it !

ps. With they need to reinforce the stringers in this hull ?

I don't know about reinforcing the stringers. There's a white 20-footer that had one of Carson's turbo engines in it and I don't recall if they had to reinforce anything. It's at Eddie's Marine in Tucson.

 

[River Dirt 2]

I don't know about reinforcing the stringers. There's a white 20-footer that had one of Carson's turbo engines in it and I don't recall if they had to reinforce anything. It's at Eddie's Marine in Tucson.

That’s actually a PFM turbo kit in that picture.
It did have a Carson / Race Arrow motor in it 2 owners prior. same long block though.

 

[AzMandella]

I don't know about reinforcing the stringers. There's a white 20-footer that had one of Carson's turbo engines in it and I don't recall if they had to reinforce anything. It's at Eddie's Marine in Tucson.

Eddie also has another 20 ' like this and a stepdeck that is new and has never been rigged .

 

[73mandella]

It’s been some time but I finally have an update on my brother-in-law’s Mandella wood deck build. The main reason for the delay is in finding the wood for the deck. Apparently, exotic wood in long sheets is very difficult to find. He finally found what he wanted in Santa Ana, CA. The build is on!

 

[74 spectra20 v-drive]

That is going to be increditable! Glad to see your father in law as well what a neat guy!

 

[Eliminator21vdrive]

Mr. Orrin is a true craftsman!

 

[LazyLavey]

Amazing.... makes a good feeling in my heart seeing these older guys still working that magic...

 

[dryhoze1]

Brings back memories

looking great !!
Learned a lot from Harlan & currently doing my 2nd wooddeck .

pm sent

 

[OC Mike]

Remember when the wood decks looked dated and old.....
Now, they are very cool....
Carry on...

 

[Racer56]

Can someone please give me Harlen's phone number. I have a Howard GN boat that Harlen put a wood deck on that needs his expertise.

 

[Melloyellovector]

Can someone please give me Harlen's phone number. I have a Howard GN boat that Harlen put a wood deck on that needs his expertise.

I can’t find his number, but he’s pretty active on Facebook. He posts nearly daily. should be able to track him down there

 

[coolchange]

I asked him if he wanted an apprentice- helper on one of his builds. I wanted to learn any tips or tricks of the process as I have a Rayson that I wanted to do . ( I’ve since decided I’ll never have the time or money to see it through).
He looked at me like I was crazy.

 

[73mandella]

I haven't been out to Harlen Orrin's to see the progress of my brother-in-law's Mandella 20' wood deck build but he sent me this photo last week. He said Harlen is planning to have a showing soon of some of the wood decks he's done. My brother-in-law's boat should be done by then.

 

[got wood]

Have a fresh wood deck coming out of the shop will post soon

 

[rivermobster]

Can someone please give me Harlen's phone number. I have a Howard GN boat that Harlen put a wood deck on that needs his expertise.

Just saw this. I Should be able to get it for you if you still need it.

 

[Racer56]

Just saw this. I Should be able to get it for you if you still need it.

Yes I do please

 

[rivermobster]

Yes I do please

Ok. Louie is a bit indisposed at the moment, so it might be a day or two.

Shoot me a PM, so I don't forget please?

 

[dryhoze1]

Racer 56
pm sent

 

[73mandella]

Have a fresh wood deck coming out of the shop will post soon

Looking forward seeing it.

 

[got wood]

Waiting pretty soon Stu is is pretty good as well have you seen my poty for sale pretty special

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Waiting pretty soon Stu is is pretty good as well have you seen my poty for sale pretty special

Pics of the Poty?

 

[got wood]

I think it’s in v drives for sale

 

[got wood]

Posted may 2022 pm me if you can’t find it

 

[RiverDave]

Pics of the Poty?

Video of the poty from John Mullen

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

View attachment 1341203
Video of the poty from John Mullen

Cool, thanks! My father raced SK boats with Joe Poty (among others). I’d just never seen one of the Poty boats before. I didn’t know they had survived.

 

[wzuber]

Beautiful boat....thx for re-posting it.

 

[rivermobster]

Beautiful boat....thx for re-posting it.

Just talked to Louie. He's back on the job today.

 

[got wood]

Thanks guys willing to let it go to good home 1 of my last 3

 

[got wood]

1 of 8 joe built this one was a national championship winning E boat another famous one was owned by Dean Moon was on the cover of hot rod magazine

 

[Alexcbaum1]

Racer 56
pm sent

Hey man, I have some questions I’d really like to ask you. Saw something you posted in a forum a while back. I’d really appreciate it if you could call or text me 318-655-5747 it’d help me out a lot on this boat I want to buy!

 

[74 spectra20 v-drive]

Brings back memories

looking great !!
Learned a lot from Harlan & currently doing my 2nd wooddeck .

View attachment 1312305

pm sent

Brian, I am bringing my Dads Wood Decker home in the next month or so, would love to attend a show or two with her are you still doing the Performance Boat regatta? Also what hull are you working on? I have been thinking of stretching my Sanger and putting a wood deck on her..

 

[73mandella]

I've not been very diligent with my postings, but here are some updated photos of my brother-tin-law's wood decker. I last said he was going to be able to take it home to finish the project, but that was a bit premature.

 

[rrrr]

Brian, I am bringing my Dads Wood Decker home in the next month or so, would love to attend a show or two with her are you still doing the Performance Boat regatta? Also what hull are you working on? I have been thinking of stretching my Sanger and putting a wood deck on her.. View attachment 1351805

Nailheads rock!

 

[dryhoze1]

Brian, I am bringing my Dads Wood Decker home in the next month or so, would love to attend a show or two with her are you still doing the Performance Boat regatta? Also what hull are you working on? I have been thinking of stretching my Sanger and putting a wood deck on her.. View attachment 1351805

Hi Cliff,
I had recently had shoulder surgery so won’t be going anywhere for a bit unfortunately.
Pops boat always looks beautiful!!
I’ve been restoring my first boat I bought on my 18th birthday 35 years ago. Lol
I somewhat recently re acquired the boat several years back.
1966 Sanger woodpecker with a 425 Nailhead for power.
Im re doing the deck & complete restoration.
As you know I’m a fan of the wooddecks . I say do it
‘Honestly not much to redoing these old boats if you’ve got marginal wood working skills. Lol
Hope all is well with you and the family
Brian

 

[dryhoze1]

Hey man, I have some questions I’d really like to ask you. Saw something you posted in a forum a while back. I’d really appreciate it if you could call or text me 318-655-5747 it’d help me out a lot on this boat I want to buy!

Hi
just saw this. I will reach out tomorrow

 

[74 spectra20 v-drive]

I've not been very diligent with my postings, but here are some updated photos of my brother-tin-law's wood decker. I last said he was going to be able to take it home to finish the project, but that was a bit premature.

View attachment 1351828 View attachment 1351829 View attachment 1351829 View attachment 1351831 View attachment 1351832 View attachment 1351833

This looks great! Love how wide he is doing the sides... Who is finishing it? are you guys tackling that? Will you go Epoxy or Poly?

 

[73mandella]

My brother-in-law finally brought the Mandella home. The wood deck looks great, but what else would you expect from the Master - Harlan Orrin

 

[cofooter]

Beautiful, can't wait to see it finished!

 

[pixrthis]

So nice