Aug 10

Aug 10 Armada B-28: The Original Bat Boat

When it comes to rare race boats, there aren’t many that are as jaw dropping in design as the Ocke Mannerfelt designed B-28 boats. You don’t see these around very often simply because there aren’t many. Because it was a design that was built by different manufacturers, I don’t know a lot about them. I do believe the boat was built for a short while in the late nineties by Armada. Only a couple of these boats were imported originally from Sweden and Armada only made them later from 1998 to 2000. There were other manufacturers that built the design at various different times. Fast and radical looking the boat was capped and featured wide wings at the stern, giving it the “bat” mobile look. Mannerfelt utilized a narrow beam, triple step hull, tapering in deadrise, that really shone in rough water.

Featured here is an Armada built B28 from 2000 that the owner had to track down after seeing it in a shop yard, then using Google images to track down a business name and number. I love it when people go to extreme lengths to find a boat owner so they can save one that has sentimental value. Even after tracking the owner down, it took 5 years of offers and negotiating to land the boat. Bryan Gonzales, who’s dad raced the original Mannerfelt Rain X boat back in the late nineties used to win races with regularity. Not much could touch the narrow B-28 back then, according to Bryan.

Radial looking to say the least. Hard to believe this design is over 25 years old.

Once they took ownership of this Armada B-28 boat, it was time to tear it down. After years of neglect it needed everything. Over the years the wings were damaged from docks and the cabin had water after being left outside and tilted forward on the trailer. Overall, it was a mess. Bryan and his dad had it sent out for serious repair and bodywork. Even though it had cosmetic damage, the structure was solid. I believe the Armada built boats had a solid bottom. Metal parts were stripped and powder coated. After repairs and bodywork, the Armada was painted with snow white Awlgrip. A great choice for a clean look with durability.

As you can imagine, the entire interior needed to be redone as well. Additionally, the original engine was not salvageable, so a newer Mercury Racing 500 EFI was used along with a Bravo drive, featuring an Imco lower. Plenty of power for the light and sleek B28.

When they finally got to hit the water, a leak in the steering fluid meant steering was extremely difficult. But, not to be defeated, they eventually got everything straightened out and have the refreshed Armada B28 running again. Pure white and without a race canopy, the boat is a great pleasure boat. The next time on the water was at the Keys Island Runners even in Key West, Bryan got to the Caribbean Club early and not surprisingly had a massive crowd around the boat. A showstopper no doubt. You might see this classic roaming the waters of South Florida soon.