I've been offered a manitou 32 as swap. For tophat. Seems a bit of an ugly design. Weird layout and big overhangs bow and stern. Any opinions or experience with these boats?
I sailed on one on and off for about 5 years. Because of the over hang at each end they say its a 32 ft boat but actually the waterline length is a lot less. The one I sailed on hobby horsed (pitched) a fair bit. I think they are solid though.
They have been described as the ugliest boat ever built ,but I love mine . It wouldn't be any faster than your tophat as they have a waterline length of just under 24 feet . Not very Roomy inside and as such I tend to live outside the boat in the cockpit most of the time . Plus side is aft cabin ,yes it's tiny as well but sleeps me comfortably. You can't quite sit up straight on my bed though. Rear bulkheads rot out ,not too hard to fix . As said before owner fitout ,can be really rough or really nice . Sail ok ,no speed records will be broken . Any questions ,ask away
The canoe stern is quite handy to hang stuff off of though ,milk crates are an optional extra ,price is right though .
We have one in the club down here (I have never sailed on it) and she needs a bit of wind to get her going but once she is wound up she goes pretty well
Regards Don
I sold a Manitou and bought a Top Hat (later sold it as well but that's a story about a relationship...)
The dongle stick Manitou actually perform a bit better. For me, the ketch (it's not actually) rig was un-necessarily complicated. Keep in mind that with 10 year rigging replacement by insurers, two sticks mean a lot more wire.
I think the Manitou was un-necessarily maligned, but is prone to hobbyhorsing if stores and gear not well balanced. The rear cabin was two-person tent size, but is handy for separating living and sleeping space.
For all that, the Top Hat was so much more enjoyable to sail!
Manitou are Notorious for build quality , a Tophat will run circles sail wise around one , seen lots of shoddy fibreglass work in the hull .