I just picked up a 1987 Marathon Falcon XL 2001. Apparently, this company disappeared just before Al gore invented the internet - there is almost nothing ont he web about this company. Strangely, there seems to have been another Marathon boat company around the same time, based in a former Grumman boat facility in Marathon, NY.
If anyone knows anything about this company or the 2001 series boats, or knows of any reference material, I would be interested. I don't even know how many persons/lbs my boat is rated for (I can't find the placard anywhere).
In 2004 I purchased a 1988 Marathon 2550 Express Cruiser. I have had the same experience as you in the lack of information. A search only turned up a few classified ads. I believe the boats were made in Florida but do not know much else.
And I think the other Marathon factory makes canoes.
Joined: 07 August 2008 Location: Ketchum, Grand Lake of the Cherokees Posts: 110
Posted: 21 August 2008 at 6:43pm | IP Logged
I have a 1988 2550 Bermuda Sport Fisherman, by Marathon, that is powered by 260hp small block with a Volvo Penta 280 outdrive. My boat was made in KershaW, SC. The plant was sold last year. Marathon Marine and Marathon boats have been out of business for 16 or 17 years. Marathon bought the molds from Fiberform in the early 80's. Find a late 70's or early 80's Fiberform and see how similar the hull is to a Marathon.
Marathon aluminum boats is not connected to Marathon Fiberglass boats. I think Grumman makes the aluminum ones.
My data plate is just left of the wheel on the helm, and states 10 persons, 2800 Lbs., including gear.
My boat was very low hours when I got it, and it has been a great boat for me.
Origo 2 burner non pressurized alcohol stove, works great. Groco marine head with 20 gallon holding tank, had to rebuild one time. 6 gallon hot water heater, pressurized on demand water system. Has the 12v 120v fridge, but I take a big cooler and use the fridge like a cabinet. The boat has enough teak to have great personality, but not so much that its a pain to maintain.
Glad to see several Marathoners here on the forum.
__________________ "If the course is hard, still steer."
1988 Marathon "Plan B "
Joined: 29 August 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 979
Posted: 18 December 2008 at 7:22am | IP Logged
2 Wheels:
Here is some info on Marathon:
Marathon Boats, Kershaw, South Carolina:
lasted about 5 years--from
around '84-'89. A man named Ed Fitchett who'd been a design engineer for
Wellcraft was another of those who thought they could get rich in the boating
boom of the '80s with an entry-level boat.
Marathon Boats: Checking the Coast Guard Records
reveals five companies that used the Marathon name: The one most commonly
referred to is the one that built boats out of Kershaw, South Carolina,
(Marathon Boat Co. Inc). They went out of business in1989.
In 1990, Marathon Cruisers was created: Lancaster,
South Carolina but they also went out of business in 95.
Marathon Cruisers bought some of the molds from
Marathon Boats then went out of business and sold some molds to Whitewater
Manufacturing: who has since gone out of business. The molds that were used to
build Marathon Boats were originally purchased from Fiberform which was a
division of Bayliner and have since discontinued.
FYI: Three digits of your HIN # (Hull
identification#) should show "NBO" which is the code for Marathon
Boat Co. Inc.
There are, so far, twelve of us Marathoners who get
together, share our information, repairs, experiences, pictures etc etc with
Marathons.(I’m #7)lol. Our growing group
has lots of info and gets more every day. (There are now 12 guys in the group, and
it only started up in mid June 08). (I’m the 7th guy who joined in that group).
Now, we’re half way through page 10 on the forum. A lot of good information n
stuff and it is a lot of fun to confab with the other "Marathoners".
If
you want, please feel free to drop in on our Marathon Boat Owners forum. I
think you’ll have blast and you will learn lots about your own Marathon, engine/out
drive and piles of other stuff Here’s
the link to get you to page 10, but I know that you will eventually want to go
back to page one and read it through in it’s entirety: (I know, I did). Anyway,
“Two wheels” here’s the link:
Joined: 29 August 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 979
Posted: 30 September 2009 at 10:42am | IP Logged
Ok Guys... The big Marathon Boat Owners Group forum is growing.. here is the link if you're still in possession and/or interested in Marathon Boats, We're now on pg 75 in the forum. Here's an updated link to a very Marathon informative place.
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Topic: Marathon Boat, Kershaw, SC?
