52-55 - MANTA TEST US - Multihulls World

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Classic design, updated!
Breathing New Life into an Old Cat
The Manta 42 Mark II maintains the silhouette
of the famous 40...
MANTA 42
MARK II
Under sail, this boat is pleasant,
even if performance isn’t her selling point…
TEXT& PHOTOS :
ROY LAUGHLIN
The famous raised bench in the cockpit…
Comfortable and practical!
Manta is an established name in
luxury cruising cats. The original
M
Manta 40, introduced over 20
years ago by Manta Enterprises,
was among the first of the 40 foot catamarans
built for living aboard or extended
cruising. Manta Enterprises successfully
established its niche for a larger luxury
cruiser, one that had a simple, serviceable
sailing rig, but was primarily built for comfortable
and relaxed living aboard. The
Manta’s interior, however, became highly
dated as French and South African catamarans
introduced new layouts, modern
interior finishing materials and reduced
interior wood work to make interior
spaces seem brighter and more spacious.
These modifications reduced weight for
sailing performance and lowered maintenance
for owners.
In 2000, John Farrow of Chesapeake
Catamarans, purchased Manta Enterprises
and the Manta production facilities. He
and the design team at Manta took a still
serviceable hull plan and brought it up the
state of the art for the new century. The
remodeled Manta Mark II is a combination
of new materials and a layout highly
influenced by Chesapeake Catamaran’s
experience as a boat broker attuned to
customer preferences. The result, the
Manta Mark II, is a completely contemporary
42 foot catamaran design with a
notable past.
Hull Layout
Two features distinguish the appearance
of a Manta: a gracefully arched molded
composite front cross beam and a elaborate
tubular aluminum Targa frame behind
the cockpit. The Targa frame has multiple
functions. First, it supports a fiberglass
hard top over the cockpit, a place to stand
when tending the sail on its boom. The
Targa’s upper end over the transom is the
attachment point for the main sheet
blocks. It also supports four fiberglass
compartments and a raised bench running
the cockpit’s interior length between the
hulls. The Manta 42 Mark II, True Colors,
reviewed for this article had a ‘hard
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A new, much more modern design inside.
The galley is small but practical and complete.
Excellent finishing and well-finished details:
here the electric panel
cushioned’ bench; a new folding canvas
sling is now available as an option. The
cockpit transom under the aluminum archseat
is low. Finally, the transom is a dinghy
davit . The catamaran is designed to carry
a 400 lb dinghy on the davit, and the available
space allows one up to 11 _ feet.
Even thought the Targa frame can hold
well over 400 lbs, carrying more on the
davit undesirably affects catamaran
motion in waves.
The Manta 42 Mark II’s decks are uncluttered
and level, allowing easy passage from the
cockpit to the bow. A pair of steps between
the side window and the cockpit give access
to the salon roof for sail handling. The front
windows are covered by a similar pair of
steps that additionally provide shade over
the salon’s front windows.
The foredeck includes both a hard portion
ahead of the mast and a pair of trampolines
between a hard deck catwalk leading to the
front cross beam. The hard deck extension
houses anchoring tackle. The trampoline’s
outer back corners include a raised curved
portion that allows a comfortable sitting
position.
Hull transoms are sugar scoop with 2 broad
steps. The sugar scoops In the Manta 42
Mark II are more rectangular than those in
the Manta 40 , and responsible for the extra
length. The cockpit area is average for a
catamaran of this length.
Below the waterline, the Manta 42 Mark II
has a fixed keel midhull. The rudder does not
extend deeper than the keel in front of it.
Hull construction is of Corecel with vinyl
ester resins on the exterior and isophthalic
resins on layout. The keel is cloth and
resin without coring.
Interior Layout
and Appearance
The salon has a spacious floor area. A hinged
door leads from the cockpit to the
salon. The dining table is on the forward
right side of the salon. A passage to the
starboard hull is on the salon’s right aft
quadrant. The galley occupies the left aft
portion. The working area of the galley is
relatively small, but efficiently laid out.
The sink can be covered with counter
material to increase this area as needed.
A hole in the counter top provides access
to a trash receptacle while securely holding
it when the catamaran is underway.
A passage to the port hull opens just forward
of the galley area. Additional galley
appliances are on the forward side of the
passage, a placement that separates the
galley into a smaller and efficiently organized
working area and an immediately
accessible storage area.
The starboard hull includes two staterooms,
fore and aft, with a head mid hull.
The aft stateroom has a queen size berth;
the forward one is a twin berth. The port
hull has a queen berth aft, a study and nav
station mid hull and a head and storage in
the bow section. This area will also
accommodate laundry appliances if desired.
This layout is an owner’s layout. One
with 4 berths and more in tune with the
charter market is available as well.
Each hull has 3 opening side ports and a
hatch in each stateroom, made by Bomar.
On the model reviewed, solar powered
ventilators were part of the hatches, to
allow air flow even when the hatches
were secured.
The original Manta 40 was notable for its
extensive interior joinery, a tradition that
continues in the Manta 42 Mark II. There
have been changes, however. The wood
is now teak and maple, lighter in color
and less extensive in coverage, without
sacrificing a ‘yachty’ ambience. Cabin and
salon soles are wood or laminate covered.
Closets have cedar linings, a useful feature
in humid tropical and subtropical areas.
Louvered wooden doors are used throughout
the Manta 42 Mark II, as was the
case in the Manta 40, again an adaptive
inclusion for a catamaran used in Florida
and seas further south. Formica counters
are gone, replaced in the Manta 42 Mark II
with Corian type counters in the galley
and heads. These surfaces were powder
blue in True Colors, very attractive and
refreshing to the eye.
The primary customer for the Manta 42
Mark II is cruising couples and families
rather than the charter market. Modest
galley size, and dining table in the main
salon, and stateroom accommodations
are a conscious appeal to this type of customer.
Interior finishings are also a grade
above the typical charter catamaran’s.
Sail Plan
The Manta 42 Mark II has three sail plans.
The one reviewed here had a main sail
and a self tacking jib with a total area of
833 sf (32 sm). A spinnaker is an option.
The main sail is stored in an aluminum sail
pack that includes lazy jacks. The self tacking
jib is mounted on a CamberSpar
boom. When not in use, it furls on the
boom, making jib sail handling easy.
Doyle Sails built the sails.
The mast and boom are designed simply.
The 50 ft mast has a single spreader, with
additional stabilization provided by a pair
of running back stays. The boom attaches
to the Targa through a single Harken
Carboblock. It has no traveler. A boom
vangs also control the boom and sail attached
to it. In recent Manta 42 Mark IIs the
hull attachment point for running back
stays have been moved forward, obviating
the need to make them slack when sailing
off the wind. All sail control lines lead to
the cockpit near the helm. Winches located
on the cockpit coaming enhance easy
sail handling. True Colors had an electric
winch to raise sails and perform other sail
handling chores. JSI made the rig and
standing rigging. All other equipment sail
handling equipment is Harken.
Other Systems
The main electrical power panel is in the
fore part of the galley on what appears to
be a cabinet door. When closed, it seems
just a typical electrical control panel.
Opening the door exposes the back of the
panel, covered by a clear plexiglass enclosure.
This convenience allows easy inspection
of wiring and connections, and
replacement of damaged breakers and
indicator lights. This arrangement is one
that an owner will appreciate each time
there is an electrical malfunction or routine
maintenance required.
The Manta 42 Mark II instruments is predominantly
Raymarine instruments, including
autohelm, compass, speed and
depth indicators. Other instruments are
available as the customer prefers.
The anchor windlass, is in a compartment
under the foredeck with a lead down the
center hard deck. There is a salt rinse
hose in the anchor locker. The Manta 42
Mark II has a stainless steel anchor chain.
Two 30 hp diesel engines running sail
drives provide auxiliary propulsion.
Access to the engine compartment is
through the aft staterooms. These
engines provide a cruising speed up to 15
kn. A Whitlock steering mechanism
controls the rudders.
Manta offers an extensive options package
to suit the intended use and preferences
of the owners. The Manta production
and sales team have a strong
commitment to the standard equipment
they offer, but also have an equally strong
record of accommodation to the customers’
preferences and requirements.
Test Sail
The test sail occurred on Biscayne Bay in
light air. The Manta 42 Mark II reviewed
handled well under auxiliary power. The
crew quickly and easily raised the sails
using the electric winch. With sails set, the
catamaran sailed easily and with hardly
noticeable helm. Because the wind was
about 12 kn, we had little chance to set a
new speed record. But boat motion was
comfortable, even in power boat wakes.
Moving around the Manta 42 was easy
because of the extensive flat decks and
ample hand holds. The Manta 42 Mark II is
clearly a luxury cruiser of the first rank.
The Manta 42 Mark II Targa bench
deserves special comment. It is raised
above the cockpit sole and allows a comfortable
visibility over the salon roof. And
notably, it is high enough for those seated
in it to enjoy a cooling breeze. The bench is
not so high, however, that it is difficult to
climb into, or is uncomfortable because of
exaggerated boat motion. For some, this
seat will be the best place on the Manta 42
Concluding Comments
The same forces affect remodeling an old
catamaran design and an old house. A
successful outcome depends on starting
with a good design and then properly
modifying a sound structure. The Manta
has a pedigree of both. The new Manta
brings those into the present decade on
what John Farrow describes as the, “best
build American catamaran.”.
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Comfortable, well-insulated cabins
Major work has been accomplished on the ventilation
in the cabins… Essential for tropical sailing…
Specifications
M A N T A 4 2 M K I I
3LOA:
3LWL:
3Beam:
3Draft:
3Displacement:
3Water capacity:
3Fuel capacity:
3Sail area:
3Mast above D.W.L.:
3Head room:
12,75 m (41'8'')
12 m (39'10'')
6,40 m (21')
1,06 m (3'8'')
6100 kg (13,500 lbs)
363 l (100 gals)
454 l (120 gals)
82 sm (833 sq.ft.)
18,14 m (59'9'')
1,95 m (6'4'')
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