Manta 42' Catamaran

[colemj]

The only cats that are load friendly are dogs by design or need more money than god to buy. Load is always the killer with cats, but some handle it better than others. The Manta has narrow beam hulls compared to most charter production cats now and is not as load friendly by design. In a cat, load friendly is described by waterline length and hull beam. In general, length is good and hull beam is bad. Length is fixed for any given bracket of comparable boats. However Mantas are not as proportionately narrow as Outremer, White, etc. It is a relatively small boat that is often loaded to the max by owners. The davit system can handle a humungous load - much more than most other cats - and as a result, a lot of owners put really nice comfortable dinghies on it. Because it was not sold into the charter market, and its market niche was predominantly retired couples going cruising, the boats have a lot of amenities in them. Particularly for a 36' boat stretched out in the ends.

Technically, it has a PPI immersion of around 1,000 lbs - stick a 1,000 lbs in it and watch it go down an inch.

It floats on its design lines in factory trim, so it is not overloaded from the factory. However, it is loaded from the factory, and that point is often confused. You want a Manta that will run circles around any production cat? Throw out the two 16,000BTU air conditioners, generator, Boston Whaler dinghy with 50hp motor, full Corian counters up and down, large tankage, washer and dryer, water maker, extra large battery bank, solar panels, inverter/charger and all the extra 4g-10g wiring hooking these up. Keep the giant arch and bimini - without them it will definitely be a lopsided matchup. Or put these amenities on an Outremer or White and compare the difference.

As for the number of boats for sale, I have noticed that the typical Manta ownership is for 4-7 years. Given that the market niche for these boats have been retired couples going cruising with definitive plans, most cruises last 4-7 years. I have met several owners who have boats for sale and it appears that the number of Mantas for sale seems to correlate with a "hump" of owners that have completed their cruising objectives. Having been close to the Manta market for the past 6 years, I have noticed that there are either none on the market, or a bunch of them at any given time. The larger number for sale now could be the economy (lord knows, it's effecting us), but I think it is just a coincidence.

Mark

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by colemj

It floats on its design lines in factory trim, so it is not overloaded from the factory. However, it is loaded from the factory, and that point is often confused. You want a Manta that will run circles around any production cat? Throw out the two 16,000BTU air conditioners, generator, Boston Whaler dinghy with 50hp motor, full Corian counters up and down, large tankage, washer and dryer, water maker, extra large battery bank, solar panels, inverter/charger and all the extra 4g-10g wiring hooking these up. Keep the giant arch and bimini - without them it will definitely be a lopsided matchup. Or put these amenities on an Outremer or White and compare the difference.

That is one of the real points about the Manta that people forget about.
It has everything on it. Designed in.

When you buy one of the other cats and put all the stuff you want on it (assuming you want that level of cruising comfort) it is pretty well loaded down.

If you don't want that stuff then you would not buy a Manta anyway.

[Tropic Cat]

We were fortunate to have a close look at a Manta 42 which stopped into our marina for a short visit a couple of years ago. The owners were attending the SSCA annual meeting in Melbourne, FL and our marina is convenient.

I positively fell in love with that boat. It is absolutely gorgeous by anyone's standards. These boats have a stellar reputation and I for one would be very proud if I were able to someday afford one.

[PHIL+MARYANNE]

The actual length of a cat gives you a guideline, but does not really tell the whole story. Many boat companies, especially production companies - build lots of space into a shorter boat, or (as in most South African boats) a wider boat. An Atlantic 55 is 55' long, very fast, tall mast - a serious sailer - but has only a bit more interior room than a Manta. Mantas ARE built for comfort, loaded with great gear, and have a wonderful, easy-to-handle layout - that's why they're so popular with the 'mid-age' cruising set... The extra length added and the sail design make them one of the fastest and most comfortable boats in the 42' range, inspite of their 'load'. Our 'loaded' boat keeps her stern scoops comfortably out of the water... and goes fast

[drjay]

If you are still serious about buying a Manta, find Barry Lipoff of Crown Yacht Sales in Sarasota. When the Manta business went under after Dan died, most Mantas sort of went adrift on the mkt. That market is coming back to life and Barry is part of the reason.

[Sand crab]

Anybody know what happened to the Manta 50 prototype? BOB

[drjay]

It was at their abandonded factory in February of 2009 and is now gone as of March 2011. The molds are sitting out in the sun getting weathered. No idea where the actual boat went. Maybe the guy who 'bought' the company?

[muskoka]

Colemj has hit the nail on the head. Mantas come factory fitted with everything a live aboard cruiser could desire. The basic design was a 38 which was kitted out and as over time stretched to carry the load comfortably. The later versions were 42 feet which have less space than some of the more recent 40 footers, but the Manta has truly been designed to it's purpose. They're a really nice boat and it would be nice to someone pick up the moulds and continue production.

[joda cancruise]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

Anybody know what happened to the Manta 50 prototype? BOB

I would be willing to bet my boat fund that it is Ice Wars II

[colemj]

You will lose your boat fund.

Manta never designed or built a boat other than those they sold until they went out of business. There never was a 50' prototype.

This boat is not associated with Manta. It shares the same naval architect as the Manta powercat and an ex-owner/principal of Manta was responsible for overseeing the build and outfitting (and it was commissioned by a person who used to own a Manta sailcat), but it has nothing to do with Manta.

BTW, I seem to be typing this comment a lot!

Mark

[SouthSailmaker]

I have a brand new unused Manta 42 hank on fullbatten jib with pocket for carbon boom ready to go from 8oz. Dacron built by South Sails Florida
Luff 42.3
Leech 36.85
Foot 12.65
9” roach 3 full battens
List 2500.00
Sale price 2050.00
321 777 9555 can text also