Dan Arena boats

[papasloan]

Congratulations. After looking so hard and long I can imagine you will do a fine job getting it back in pristine condition.
Looking forward to pictures.

[classmate43]

Thanks much, its going to be a fun boat! H\Attached is a pic of a 1962 Dorsett catilena I finished a short while back.
john

[Annascaul]

Dear Kit-
I am finishing up (like I'll ever be finished..) with my 75 Dan Arena boat, (I believe it's the utility model?) which has a step through windshield. I seem to remember you telling me that there were 25 with the step through and 25 without. I was wondering, was the non step through a double or single windshield? I ask because I would like to take out the step through and go to a single or double, but don't know how to go about it because the mold were the windshield lands seems restrictive to only a step through. I would love any ideas you have.
-Bob

[StewartG]

I didn't read all the posts to see if anyone answered your question, but Dan Arena is working out of Loch Lomond Marina, in San Rafael, California. The marina office number is: 415-454-7229, they can give you the Arena number--he's right next door.

[my arena]

Hi Jason and all. I just found this forum yesterday and of course this is my first post. I, like many others, know very little about these boats.
I have a 1966 21 foot Arena. I don't know whether this is a Dan Arena or an Arena Craft. I have looked at all the photo's on this forum and my boat looks nothing like any of the boats shown here (except yours).
I viewed every single one of your photo's and it appears that we have basically the same hull. Yours is the only one that I have seen that has a somewhat squared of nose on the bow. Mine is the same. Mine also has the same type and color of the metal flake finish.

The only difference I see in our boats is that your is a stern drive and mine is a v-drive. Where your engine is in the rear of your boat, mine is in the center.
I have owned this boat for about 15 years and still do not know exactly how it is powered other than it is a ford engine and on the valve covers it has interceptor on them. I was just guessing a possible 390, 351,302????? so mine is probably a 289 also! It does scoot down the lake pretty good!

As far as your seats are concerned, my best guess is that you would have a seat on either side of your engine cover in the rear, and a solid bench seat in the front. Mine is a solid bench seat in the front and the rear and the engine cover sits behind the front seat in the center. The front seat has no opening so one must either board the boat by stepping directly into the front seat or if boarding the boat anywhere else you must climb over the front seat back rest. Sorta inconvenient in my opinion, but that is how mine is set up.

Unfortunately I don't have any pic's to send you at this time. I live in Corona Ca. and my boat is in Big Bear Lake Ca. where I use and keep the boat. I won't be going up there for a couple more months but when I do I will take a huge amount of pics just as you have done and get them to you and anyone else who might want to see them.

Please keep us posted on the progress of your project.

Dale

[my arena]

JASON CHURCH
Would like to communicate with you about your boat. I can be reached by e-mail or phone @951-735-2481 or dmp3456@yahoo.com. Should have included this info in my reply.
Thanks Dale

[RetroBoats]

I have a 1966 Bonito that is fairly orginal and it has a either a 289 ro 302 in it. Also, has the divide between the front and rear cockpit as well. If you scroll down a little you'll see it - http://www.retroboats.net/forums/showthread.php?t=24 Just got the 1957 Barracuda on the second page.

[allenh]

Has anyone here have any knowledge of a 21 ft. day crusier Arena Craft that had a jet pump type drive. My father just ended up with one and I would like to get some info on it. I will guess it was built in the mid to late sixties. It is in need of a total restoration. I will try to post some pic's at a later date. It has no engine or pump left on it, and is in need of much work. My father wants to try and save it though, so ANY info would be greatly apprecitiated. I will also try to get a more accurate build year for it. Thanks in advance.

Allen

[allenh]

Just as an update I did find a little more info on the boat. It is titled as a 1961 21 ft. Arena craft. also under the current paint that is on it you can make out what is left of the California vessel number. I can also supply the vin/hull number. I am begining to wonder if this is one of the Lake Tahoe tour boats. Thanks again for any info you may be able to supply.

Allen

[RetroBoats]

Putting up a picture of the boat in question would probably help.

[allenh]

I should be able to do that tommorrow It's getting dark outside now, and there is a fair thunder and lightning storm dumping rain and hail at the moment. thanks, Allen

[allenh]

This is the boat I am trying to identify. It is titled as a 21 ft. (but measures out at 21 foot six inches) 1961 Arena Craft and had a jet pump, that is about all I know for sure. Can anyone tell me what name this model would have had. Also beings it was an early jet boat, does anyone know if this might have been one of the jet tour boats on Lake Tahoe. It is sitting on a tandem axle, air ride, tilt, boat trailer with surge brakes. It is basically a "barn find" in need of a total restoration. If it is a rare or uncommon boat, my father and I would like to do the restoration as close to original type of equipment as possible. It is fairly possible that I have a line on the original engine and pump. Thank's, Allen

[RetroBoats]

I don't know anything about the boat pictured....looks unique for a Arena Craft. Looking at it the style line on the side is very close to the 1958~60 something design. It has the same steering wheel as my 61....looks like a Falcon wheel.

Even if the cruzer is rare I suspect the value isn't going to be that high. The only Arena Craft's that seem to be bringing $$$ are the 1955 to 1957 Barracuda's. I don't think your cruzer would have been one of the Tahoe tour boats.....can't pack too many folks in it for a tour...maybe a rental boat ?? Also, not sure how a jet would work in a big cruzer.....remember back then a lot of things would have been an experiment.....some good some bad.

If you really like the boat it looks solid and would be good for overnighters and so forth. Fixing it up would be a labor of love and you probably would not get your money back out of it....most boats are like that.

[allenh]

Thanks for the response. My father wants to restore the boat to original so I guess we have a project on our hands. I have tried to e-mail Kit Arena and Nick Arena but so far have gotten no response. I know that they live within 70 miles of my location so I really was hoping to hear from one of them. Thanks again, Allen

[RetroBoats]

Good luck with your project....keep us posted.