EXPERT BOAT BUILDER
Mark McManus was born into a family of shipbuilders and began visiting his grandfather’s shipyard at a young age. He went on to study architecture design and mechanical engineering, eventually launching his career at Halter Marine where he managed the construction of 65-foot yachts. When Halter Marine acquired Cigarette Boats in 1977, Mark oversaw the construction of their legendary 20' to 41' offshore models.
In 1978, Mark built the first 38-foot Kevlar hull “Ajac Hawk,” which went on to win three World Championships for the Cigarette Racing Team. This set off a career of boundary-pushing innovation—from the first diesel offshore performance hull to the iconic Apache 41, a model that became the most sought-after and copied design in offshore racing.
By 1984, Mark had joined forces with Don Aronow as Vice President of USA Racing Team. Together, they built high-speed catamarans used by U.S. Customs to combat drug smuggling. The following year, Mark took charge of daily operations at Apache Boats, Inc. and continued to lead the charge in performance and innovation.
Craftsmanship Meets Combat-Proven Durability
Today, as President of Apache Powerboats, Mark McManus continues to design, build, and restore high-performance offshore boats ranging from 20 to 65 feet. With over 600 boats manufactured and decades of elite racing pedigree behind him, McManus boats are built to outlast and outperform.
Every Apache is constructed with ballistics-grade Kevlar 49 and pure carbon fiber, laid by hand and bonded with military-grade resins. The result? Hulls that last over 30 years, even in the world’s roughest offshore conditions. The precise balance and alignment of internal components eliminate vibration, ensuring a smooth, secure ride at triple-digit speeds.
INNOVATION THAT SHAPED AN INDUSTRY
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CENTERLINE STEERING
A McManus innovation that improves control and balance at speed—now a standard in offshore racing.
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STAGGERED ENGINE OFFSETS
Introduced both 22” and 18” centerline stagger setups to increase stability and performance in rough seas.
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KEVLAR & CARBON FIBER HULLS
First to use Kevlar 49 and 100% carbon fiber in offshore boats for unmatched strength, weight reduction, and durability.
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PAD BOTTOM HULL DESIGN
Tested and implemented pad-bottom prototypes to improve planing, speed, and handling in high-performance conditions.
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SIT DOWN COCKPITS
Pioneered the first sit-down canopy cockpits for V-bottom racing to enhance safety and control.
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LASER CUT DASH PANELS
Developed padded dashboards with anodized, laser-engraved aluminum gauge plates—functional and custom.
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SIGNATURE PAINT & GRAPHICS
Brought themed graphics to life with innovations like DuPont ChromaLusion flip paint and full custom visuals.
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AWLGRIP-SPRAYED ENGINE BAYS
First to use Awlgrip-finished engine rooms—sleek, durable, and easy to maintain in race conditions.
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LAW ENFORCEMENT DESIGNS
Built stable catamarans and tactical hulls for U.S. Customs and global agencies—purpose-built for real-world duty.
RESTORATION EXCELLENCE
Mark McManus has personally restored more than half of the Apache boats he built in the 1980s and '90s. These weren’t rebuilds—the original Kevlar hulls were still intact, needing only aesthetic upgrades and modern enhancements. Each restoration is a unique masterpiece, customized to the owner’s specifications and finished with hand-painted details and modernized electronics.
McMANUS TIMELINE
