Designed with a couple in mind, the new concept builds on a homegrown US catamaran line.
By
Cruising World Staff
Updated: June 5, 2014
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Former Manta Catamaran partner Pat Reischmann and naval architect Cortland Steck have teamed up to the create plans for the Manta 46, which Reischmann says is the next evolution of the original Manta 38, which eventually grew to be the Manta 42.
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Mantas were built in Florida from 1994 to 2009; in all, 127 were launched. The boats were intended for full-time live aboard cruising couples with a hankering for blue water.
Manta 46 Catamaran design – layout
The 46 borrows from its siblings, but is designed with wave piercing bows; hulls that are narrow at the waterline and flare from there up to create lots of interior space; keels and centerboards for better upwind performance; and a rig and sail plan that’s easily managed by a shorthanded, two-person crew.
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A hard bimini protects the helm station below and provides access to an antenna tower, acts as an anchor point for the main sheet and is a dedicated space for solar panels.
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Belowdecks, the interior is laid out to accommodate a couple who’ll occasionally sail with friends. Each hull has a single stateroom and en suite heads with separate showers. There’s also space for a laundry or tool shop.
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Reischmann says he’s testing the waters with the new design to gauge the interest in a cruising cat, built in the USA.
