Larson Manta

Vintage 19 Larson

1978 open-bow Larson speedboat. 200 Horsepower Johnson SeaHorse outboard engine.

1970s retro yellow style inside and out. Excellent turn-key condition.

Great interior for age, Shorelander trailer, 100% custom canvas with bimini top in good shape, brand new controls with power tilt/trim, depth sounder, VHS/antenna, and radio.

Has a lot of positives:

- Great brand - Larson (made in Minnesota) and Johnson motor

BIG, solid engine runs great, could ski or tube with ease. The boat is happy at top speed

All lights fully functional

Open bow for entertaining capacity (6-8 max capacity) or fishing

Great upholstery, fold down lounger style seats

Stored indoors in dry stack year round

Brand new controls & harness in recent service

Motor recently and regularly serviced at Skipper Buds

kicker plate installed for second motor

recent battery

current registration

included extras: life vests, safety equipment to meet legal requirements: extinguishers, flares, battery box, cousys

Negatives

- could use carpet floor is totally solid, but the carpet is worn in one spot. Vintage carpet can be replaced fairly cheaply (I have a sample), but using it as has never bothered me.

- A very few of the buttons/snaps/zippers could use attention to get everything perfect, but again, very usable as is.

- Swim ladder needs to be replaced or fixed (or youd need a portable one.)

I bought the boat 3 years ago, and looked at probably 25 or 30 boats in this price range. This one has solid fundamentals, and is in better shape than anything I saw at this price point. You could buy this boat and be on the water tomorrow, and/or you could put in a little money and get her aesthetically perfect and restored (with a little work, could be entered in a vintage boat show).

The boats currently in dry stack on the Kinnickinnic River on the near south side of Milwaukee, which has been great arrangement for me, since I have no tow vehicle. Its indoors year round, and theyll put it in the water with an hours notice, and will put it away when youre done boating. New owner could continue this arrangement for this season, or trailer it away totally up to you. Boat can be delivered in current winterized condition, or fully summer-ized and ready to go.

The boat is affordable and hard to get on the water for much less - and has some style people often appreciate it wherever we go. I hate to give it up - I just have to get out of boating (for now) as Im hoping to buy a house.