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I met my boat mechanic/Menemsha restorer at Van Pugh Park on Lake Lanier Georgia yeserday for a first sea-trial of my not so recently acquired 1969 Menemsha. As many of you know, in late February of this year, I was lucky enough to find a 1969 Menemsha in very good overall condition. It was one of those classic "barn-finds" that every Whaler owner dreams of! The previous owner had inherited this boat from his father who bought it new in Panama City, Florida, in 1969. The Menemsha was completely intact, with all original parts and wood, plus a few little extras such as the original Red Ritchie compass, Mills canvas invoice, aluminum "ear muffs", and the original 1969 catalog:

Catalog

I photographed each piece and section of the boat, to make re-assembly easier later.

dissassembly

My original plan was to restore it myself, and use my 1985 15 foot center console to fish while I slowly restored the Menemsha. After sanding several coats of bottom paint from the stern and sides, I realized it was time for "plan B". Sell the "Minitauk" (my former screen name Minitauk85) and put that money into the restoration. I was able to sell the Minitauk in less than two weeks, and I delivered the Menemsha to R & M Marine for it's restoration. I met up with CW member Matt Geiger at the ramp, and, after 4 long, agonizing months, the Menemsha finally floated off her trailer today!

First splash

I am guessing that she hasn't been floated in well over 10 years, and she took to it like a "duck to water"! In fact she kind of looks like a duck! Today I took her for another spin, and the carb adjustments made a big difference! Here are some shots from today:

More pics

She's quite a gas hog, but rides great! Now she's back to the shop for some trailer adjustments, an idle adjustment, and some final detailing. k

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Not sure what I did! Can someone fix this please! -k

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You can edit your own post by clicking on the "Edit" button on the post you want to edit.

You had spaces in the links that caused your problems.
Copy the link exactly or they will not work properly. Copy and Paste usually works the best.

The Menemsha looks great.

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Very nice.B)

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A link to the catalog:

Catalog

link to teart down pics:
tear down

Got it- thanks Joe! -k

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You're Welcome.........

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Awesome! Great job with the pics and the boat. Another classic rides again.

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Excellent documentation Menemsha69!
Thanks for taking us along. B)

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Kevin,what a fine job ! The lake will never be the same.

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Very Nice!! Did you launch her in Lake Lanier?

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Nice job Mem...gorgeous boat/Ugly duckling...LOve it:0:D

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not an "ugly Duck", I think it came out "FANTASTIC", great pic's... it's "VERY COOL"B), love the stern rail's, and the fact that you have a place to get out of the weather if needed. Nice work !
mw

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Thanks for all the kind comments! My restorer made some great modifications, of which I'll photograph and post this weekend. -k

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Kevin, as of today I plan to be in Atlanta on 4 /9/09 for three days with the Scrimshaw in tow and then head futher South towards Florida. My trip South is to retrieve my 8 year olds inflatable Whaler in lawrenceville (her 1st boat)
It is my hope we can put some of these old gals together on Lanier ! Jim

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hey hows it going?
i had a question about the menemsha. how rare of a boat is it? i have been a boston whaler fan for a while but i seem to have missed this model of boat. i was just curious because i just saw one sitting in a field yesterday. thanks

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Jim- sounds great! I'm sure the guys would be ready for a Rendezvous in April. Email me with your available dates, and I'll start a Lanier thread!-k

Joseph- The Menemsha is a very rare model, as I understand it, they only made around 230 of them for a couple of years in the late 60's and early 70's. I believe I have seen pictures of the Menemsha you are talking about. If it is the same one, it was for sale this summer on Craigslist. I believe they were asking somewhere between $3000-$5000 for it, and if it is the same one, it was missing quite a few of the original parts. The one I saw listed was missing the windshield, and most of the interior wood work, as well as the helm seat/fishbox combination( it may have even been missing the front doors as well). Parts will be hard to come by, but it couldn't hurt to make them an offer (I wouldn't go more than $1500 if the hull is in good shape), and then find after market parts to modify the Menemsha. I'm really impressed with the way they ride, and fish.-k

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I did not know those boat's had a head on them. Is there a holding tank below deck or what?

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The toilets just sucked water in and pumped the waste overboard. Not legal today by USGC standards.

I know Kevin had more photos but, here is one that I saved a while ago.

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I thought it must just go overboard but I had to ask. Kevin could make a lot of money down here on the Savannah River on the 4th of July. All those boats anchored up to see the fireworks would love to see a guy coming with a toilet on board.

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im not really in the market for another boat. i just hate to see it sit there and get ruined especially if its a rare boat. i already have two boston whalers and if anything i want to go bigger because i do a lot of offshore fishing. some day in the future i guess. thanks for the info and i like your boat. hope you enjoy it

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Jim- You have mail! -k