Manta 42 MK II •

Built in Florida in a new Manta 42 MK II production facility, the Manta cat offers a lot of cruising amenities and sailing performance at a very fair value. The fractional rig flies a high-roach fully-battened main, and the headsail is a fully-battened self-tacking jib on a Camberspar.

Roller-furling headsails can also be specified as well as asymmetrical downwind sails. The main boom is controlled by a Dutchman Boombrake and a rigid vang. The big main has a custom boom, lazy jacks and a trademarked BoomBasket. The rig has been set up to offer plenty of power in the light stuff and can be easily handled by a single watchstander when cruising offshore.

The cockpit is huge and comfortable. The builders provide the option to mount a stainless steel arch aft, which can carry the mainsheet traveler and also will be home to radar and other antennas; the arch doubles as davits for the dinghy. A hard top comes as an option that provides sun protection in the tropics and can be enclosed with curtains for wet sailing in the northern climes. This is the perfect platform for a large array of solar panels. You rarely see a Manta 42 without these two add-ons.

The saloon has a large Lshaped dinette to starboard and the galley and nav station to port. The windows on the forward side of the saloon wrap around the living area and come with horizontal louvers that keep direct sunlight out of the interior; this feature will greatly aid in keeping the boat cool in the tropics. The port hull hosts the master cabin and a large head. The starboard hull offers two guest cabins with a large head in between. The interior design and styling is a mixture of old and new, with attractive louvered wood doors on the cabinets and fine wood detailing throughout.

The 42 under power is driven by two 27-horsepower diesels. With 125 gallons in the fuel tanks, the boat will have a cruising range of about 500 miles and in a pinch at low revs will be able to motor farther. The water tanks hold 100 gallons, which will be ample for coastal cruising. For offshore work, a water-maker will be a valued optional extra.

The Manta 42 Mk II is a proven design built by a reputable American builder. The owners tend to be sailors who travel far and wide and expect their boats to stand up to heavy weather as well as the wear and tear of longterm cruising. Even better, Mantas tend to hold their value. For more information contact Manta Inc., in Sarasota, Fla., at 866-28MANTA.

www.mantacatamarans.com