Dan Arena boats

Hi Kit,

I found some of your posts on the forum. I have what the previous owner told me was a 71 ArenaCraft 19. OMC Stern drive with (I believe) a 307 Chevy V8. Boat seems to be mostly original. It has the ArenaCraft logo -- so I am wondering about the year, since I saw your note about your father selling in 1969. Also wondering whether your shop bilt this boat.
I am starting to do some fixup (to say restoration would be ambitious) and one of the first items is replacing the indoor/outdoor covered plywood cockpit floor. It has rotted out from water sitting in the bilge on winter. Do you know how the original flooring was done? Also -- if there was a hull ID stamped into the hull and where it might be. The boat is in Lake Tahoe & has been its whole life as far as I know. Thanks -- Greg Fuller

 

1957 Arena-Craft Barracuda one-owner

I am very fortunate to have purchased a Barracuda from a gentleman that knew of the boat being still in the hands of the original owner. The boat was used exclusively on Conneaut Lake, a small lake just 35 miles south of my town of Erie, Pa. Totally unmodified and functional but needs cosmetic restoration. I want to do a very high end restoration and am looking to make this a really dynamite boat. I am doing this boat for me, not for resale, but I am curious as to what you guys think could be a value of a well done total resto could be worth. I love the boat, it is a real smile maker.

 

I am a student of the game and will help you.E me a set of good quality pics of the boat inside and out as it is, If it is a 55 through 57 I will help you pin
point a proper value. Nothing is cast in stone, especially in this crazy market but an original boat in my estamation is worth as much if not more than a restored boat. You may have a very special piece of classic boat history that shoud no be restored. Pleae e me the pics. My e address, classmate43@yahoo.com
JAG

 

i also have a 1956 barracuda, I would like to exchange pics and any info you might have on these boats, thanks jeff blazey panhead@rochster.rr.com

 

Dan Arena 23 Surf Drive c1982

I thought you all might like to see a 23' Dan Arena that my father (Lou) and I have had since 1986. The boat is 23' long, with Dan's Surf Drive, and a 350 Crusader at 300HP.

With Martin Zanotti, we just spent the summer building-up the engine by adding Darts Iron Eagle 2.02/1.6 Heads and SS 1.6 Roller Rockers, Dart Dual Plane Intake Manifold (Air Gap Style), Mallory Ignition and 4160 Holley Carburetor / K&N Filter plus Earl’s fittings. Dan had built a solid bottom with 4 bolt main, balanced crankshaft and a dialed in Comp Cam. We capped the bottom with a nice Aluminum Finned Oil Pan from Washinton. Martin discovered Dan's name still written on several internal engine parts.


The fly-by photo was taken last year (2008) with my father (Lou) at the wheel.

All others taken this last month (2009).


First time back in the water with the engine back in. (Lou & Martin Z.)


Front view of the deck.


The Surf Drive designed by Dan Arena, with an OJ Propeller.


The engine being transformed.


The engine back in the boat.

Did I mention we have a 21XL Custom too, c1971.

 

Beautiful

Thats beautiful!!
I'm restoring a 57 Barracuda at this time been working it for months. Final paint went on yesterday. Pics attached
John in Hillsdale, Michigan

 

Classmate43: Thanks. Looks like your long hard work is paying off. Please keep us posted on your progress.

 

Mark,
Tell us more about that Surf Drive. Any quirks? How fast?

 

Dan Arena 23' Surf Drive Project

Hey Mark,
Here is my 23' Arena Craft with a surf drive, I am currently in the process of putting it together and would love to chat with you about yours. I purchased this boat From Dan a few months ago as a bare hull, I have a full roller 454 ready to go in it, but am currently trying to source a trans before dropping the motor in. If you feel like sharing some ideas or incite please e-mail me at BetterService at Comcast dot net.

 

wow!

I so wish I could find my old Arena Craft, I loved it, it was a small runabout, I used it for wakeboarding on Lake Naciamento in California, It was a 1970, I think 16 to 18' with a straight six I/O, If anyone has one for sale please contact me- thanks

 

My 2nd ArenaCraft!

Sad to say I haven’t made much progress with my 23’ however I just acquired my 2nd ArenaCraft! It is a 16’ I/O I picked this boat up in San Jose, it was nose down in a driveway, ½ full of water. It also looks to have been sitting in a slip for a while, and needs some light fiberglass repair. It has a crack in the Windshield, and the Volvo outdrive is most certainly trashed. However it is all complete with trim tabs, thru hulls, and a Ford 351 Windsor. The engine is just dripping with Chrome bits, everything that could be chrome is, Oil pan, all mounts, brackets, a chrome hydraulic pump, aluminum exhaust manifolds, holly 4 barrel, front mounted fuel tank with full stainless hard lines. The motor looks like it was recently gone-thru. I believe the boat and motor are a 69’ but I am not sure.

Does any body have any info on this boat by chance?

It seams like it was intended to be a compact family ski boat, and looks like it would have done that job very well.

More pictures to come, as I get it together.

 

1969 ARENA CRAFT(capacity of transporting safely 10 to 12 passengers)

Hello everyone,

A year ago, I bought my dad a 1969 Arena Craft passenger boat. It looks like it might need some restoring. It has the capacity of transporting safely 10 to 12 passengers. It has an outdoor engine that I have not turned on. I am looking into selling it. I have no time to restore it. It looks like a nice fast boat to tour on. If you are interested in it make an offer.

Does anybody know where I can find the model and number of boats made?

George (661) 349-6552

 

Hi I am a new owner of a 1966 Arena Craft Cuddy Cabin and been visiting this site for all the info and pics I can get for it. I bought this boat last year and was lake worthy from the day I bought it, just had to do the usual fluid changes,etc. I was told it has a 307 chevy V-drive (Casale and Velvit) "Vortec" which I would like to know what vortec means, I think it has to do with the bolt config of the heads but don't know.
But anyways I would like to post my pics and join in on anything you guys know about my particular cuddy. I live in Tahoe and just pulled my homemade tarp system off.....Here are the pics.

 

Barracuda Sportster

When I bought my boat, I had no idea what it was, but I researched it a bit & dicovered it was a 1957 Barracuda Sportster. Since then I've heard alot about these Dan Arena Boats. I love mine, especially when the water is glassy. I like the design & the way the front of the boat points way up when accelerating quickly. Mine has a chevy 400 in it, which I believe is aftermarket. Lots of fun! I'll post pictures later. liamchamberlain@yahoo

 

I too luv these boats
I mean the way they look on the Sierra Lake and how they handle
I had an opportunity to meet Dan Arena's son I think last Fourth of July up here. He might recall meeting me at the "Keys" He had a "Bitchen Barracuda" and actually pulled me over to talk to me to say he is "glad to see Arena Crafts on the lake where they were sold at one time." They used to sell the Arena Crafts right here in Tahoe if I'm not mistaking.
Thanks for replying