MANTA
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MANTA in Halifax
There is a lot of room for anyone on board was very important. The salon has room to move around in a free way. There is another berth for the person on watch to rest a bit. Standing height is, by the way, 2 m or more throughout the whole boat. The kitchen is where it belongs. In the hull and on the center of gravity of the boat. To ensure the lowest way of movement. To lessen the risk of an accident. The kitchen is the area where the most boat accidents occur.
The room between the shower and the collision bulkhead can serve as a workshop. Or, one owner used it as a garage for his motor scooter
SPECIFICATION
L.o.a.: 12.45 m
L.w.l.: 11.90 m
L.w.l.(mod.): 12.45 m
Beam : 7.10 m
Beam c/c : 5.20 m
Draught : 0.85 m
Mainsail 42.00 m2
Jib 28.00 m2
Stay sail 18.00 m2
Reacher 80.00 m2
Weight empty 4800.00 kg
Weight load c.w.l. 7200.00 kg
Aux.power 2x 22.00 HP
L/B hulls 1 : 12
B/L ratio c/c 48 %
Stability maximum 32000 kg/m
L.o.a.: 12.45 m
L.w.l.: 11.90 m
L.w.l.(mod.): 12.45 m
Beam : 7.10 m
Beam c/c : 5.20 m
Draught : 0.85 m
Mainsail 42.00 m2
Jib 28.00 m2
Stay sail 18.00 m2
Reacher 80.00 m2
Weight empty 4800.00 kg
Weight load c.w.l. 7200.00 kg
Aux.power 2x 22.00 HP
L/B hulls 1 : 12
B/L ratio c/c 48 %
Stability maximum 32000 kg/m
The medium base-speed calculations show a speed of 10.2 knots. The last Atlantic crossing proved the speed prediction. Depending on sea and wind conditions
speed of around 18 knots is not unusual.
speed of around 18 knots is not unusual.
BUILT THE PROVEN WAY
Like all my boats, MANTA uses the time-proven plywood / fiberglass / epoxy composite construction.
It is a strong, light and practical building method that has proved itself for decades — exactly the kind of construction you want for a serious cruising and expedition boat.
Depending on the skill and experience of the builder, construction time will normally be around 2,800 to 3,200 hours.
The hulls are built upside down, making the work easier and keeping the structure simple and accurate.
I also developed a system that allows the bulkheads to be set up correctly even when the workshop floor is not perfectly level.
No building stocks are required.
That means less material, less preparation and less wasted time.
Simple methods. Proven materials. Strong results.
Below are some pictures showing the main stages of construction.
Like all my boats, MANTA uses the time-proven plywood / fiberglass / epoxy composite construction.
It is a strong, light and practical building method that has proved itself for decades — exactly the kind of construction you want for a serious cruising and expedition boat.
Depending on the skill and experience of the builder, construction time will normally be around 2,800 to 3,200 hours.
The hulls are built upside down, making the work easier and keeping the structure simple and accurate.
I also developed a system that allows the bulkheads to be set up correctly even when the workshop floor is not perfectly level.
No building stocks are required.
That means less material, less preparation and less wasted time.
Simple methods. Proven materials. Strong results.
Below are some pictures showing the main stages of construction.
WHEN THE MARINA ENDS, MANTA BEGINS.
BUILT TO GO WHERE OTHERS TURN BACK
Adventure. Expedition. Exploration.
MANTA is not a marina ornament.
It is a serious go-anywhere catamaran, designed for sailors who want to leave the easy routes behind.
Designed in 1988, MANTA was created around three priorities:
Strength. Simplicity. Seaworthiness.
No gimmicks.
No unnecessary complication.
No fashionable nonsense.
Just a tough, practical boat built to keep going.
EXTREME CONDITIONS? THAT'S WHAT SHE WAS MADE FOR.
MANTAs have sailed the North Atlantic, worked as professional diving boats in the Mediterranean, and carried guests and adventurers in Asia.
Cruising. Diving. Charter work. Expeditions.
You name it. MANTA has done it.
The first owner ran a marina in the Netherlands.That meant summer was for work. Winter was for sailing. So his MANTA sailed the North-sea in winter.On one trip he sailed to the London Boat Show in January. An appointment forced him to return home sooner than planned. WIND FORCE 9. His response? SO WHAT? He sailed home. That story says more about MANTA than any brochure ever could.
And there are more stories like it.
BUILT TO GO WHERE OTHERS TURN BACK
Adventure. Expedition. Exploration.
MANTA is not a marina ornament.
It is a serious go-anywhere catamaran, designed for sailors who want to leave the easy routes behind.
Designed in 1988, MANTA was created around three priorities:
Strength. Simplicity. Seaworthiness.
No gimmicks.
No unnecessary complication.
No fashionable nonsense.
Just a tough, practical boat built to keep going.
EXTREME CONDITIONS? THAT'S WHAT SHE WAS MADE FOR.
MANTAs have sailed the North Atlantic, worked as professional diving boats in the Mediterranean, and carried guests and adventurers in Asia.
Cruising. Diving. Charter work. Expeditions.
You name it. MANTA has done it.
The first owner ran a marina in the Netherlands.That meant summer was for work. Winter was for sailing. So his MANTA sailed the North-sea in winter.On one trip he sailed to the London Boat Show in January. An appointment forced him to return home sooner than planned. WIND FORCE 9. His response? SO WHAT? He sailed home. That story says more about MANTA than any brochure ever could.
And there are more stories like it.
Background Ushuaia, Patagonia
The Netherlands
SAILDRIVE
Engine room. Black box is the saildrive
STUDY PLAN
The study plan consists of 16 pages, many pictures, and the list of material to calculate the costs of and lists of the MANTA manual. Plus an extra photo show.
available for $ 20,-
The study plan consists of 16 pages, many pictures, and the list of material to calculate the costs of and lists of the MANTA manual. Plus an extra photo show.
available for $ 20,-
PLANS
The complete plan set gives you everything you need to turn the design into a real boat: clear building instructions, practical construction information, and all necessary drawings.
All drawings are supplied in convenient JPG format, making them easy to view, print, enlarge, and use directly in the workshop.
The plan package includes permission to build one MANTA for private use.
Price for the complete plan set and one-boat building licence: on request.
The complete plan set gives you everything you need to turn the design into a real boat: clear building instructions, practical construction information, and all necessary drawings.
All drawings are supplied in convenient JPG format, making them easy to view, print, enlarge, and use directly in the workshop.
The plan package includes permission to build one MANTA for private use.
Price for the complete plan set and one-boat building licence: on request.
Copyright © 2026 by B. Kohler, K-designs All rights reserved
UP
Los Nietos, Spain
MANTA uses proven plywood, glass fibre and epoxy construction. Here is the layout
MANTA