What is the background and history of the Manitou 32?
• The original advertising suggested that the Manitou was named after the Hawaiian God of wind and water. An extensive search has failed to reveal any such Hawaiian deity and it seem more likely that the origin is linked to the North American Indian word for the “Great Spirit”. More. • Manitoulin Island in Canada is the largest fresh water island in the world, and we have appropriated its name to use as a collective noun for Manitou owners. • All this North American influence might lead you to think that the Manitou is an American or Canadian design. Not so – the Manitou 32 is Australian designed. • Word has it that John Biddlecombe saw a delightful little yacht called Paulina E, designed by naval architect Bill Elliot, and approached Bill for the lines. From these, he developed the Manitou 32. Paulina E was owned by Dave Gray and was moored for many years at RPAYC at Newport. • Bill Elliot’s design was about 30 ft long with an aft cockpit. John kept the underwater lines but extended t
