The Manta range has been extended for the new
season to include a 49cm wide Dave White
signature model, being his weapon of choice to
further his title when the opportunity arises. The rest
of the series remains unaltered, retaining the same
graphic appearance as last year, although none of
them come supplied with fins . The 68 is the
second largest in the range and like its siblings is
produced in ‘Hyper-light’ carbon sandwich
technology, making it one of the lightest in this test
group. With its super short and boxy outline it still
looks very unique and aggressive compared to the
rest, being wide and flat around the mast track
before tapering down rapidly to its domed tail. On
the underside it sees pronounced double concaves
forward of the mid-point which steadily reduce to
vee in the tail, the hard rails only experiencing a
moderate amount of tuck whilst the cutouts in the
tail remain some of the most defined around.
Ride and Handling
On the water the Manta offers an adrenaline charged
ride, and rewards the experienced sailor with
masses of performance. Feeling quite possibly
smaller than its quoted volume, its nose is thin yet
wide, enabling it to take an 8.5m sail at a push.
Releasing from the water early, its flat deck helps the
rider progress down the board and into the straps,
from where the board accelerates at a blistering
pace. Used in comfortably powered conditions, the
68 can be used to great effect, powering off the fin
well (it was used with a variety of fins, although the
best compromise seemed to be a 40cm blade), to
cover great distance with ease. We did find the
deckpads a little soapy when stepping on them from
other boards and the protruding fin bolt was
awkward when we found our back foot connecting
with it, so time was spent adjusting the straps to
help secure our feet right out on the rail. In
overpowering conditions, the Manta’s raw speed is
still there although it is certainly not a board for the
faint-hearted. With its wide shoulders it does get
influenced by the headwind whilst travelling across
or upwind, losing its speed as it rocks from side to
side on its concaves, or begins to tail walk. Get the
trim right, and the Manta can challenge anything
around, although it demands a lot of concentration
and input on the rider’s part. As such the 68 is a real
rider’s board, best suited for the experienced sailor
looking for a board to keep them captivated.
Manoeuvres
With its wide shoulders, the Manta responds best to
an assertive gybing style getting forward on the front
foot to push the leeward shoulder in. Get it right and
board replies with a stunning amount of grip and
can charge round the tightest of turns, the flat deck
a welcome asset as you step forward out of the
corner. Tacking the Manta on the other hand is a
whole different ball game, its wide nose deceptively
possessing little volume and therefore room for error.
For: Exhilarating ride and top level performance.
Against: No halfway house, the Manta is a technical
board to sail well. Fin bolts protruding from the top
of board.
Length (cm) 222
Width (cm) 68
Vol (L) 100
Weight (Kg) 6.50
Fin No fin (Deep Tuttle)
Sail Range 6.0-8.5m
Price £999.00
Verdict
The Manta remains one of the most potent
slalom boards on the market today, yet
requires good, technical input from the rider to
realise its range.
