The Manta

I know you have been thinking that we were just joking about buying a catamaran....but we're in Kemah, Texas now aboard a Manta 40.   We've met with the current owner during the day today and are getting acquainted with the boat.

So far, it's very nice.  The repairs that we were waiting on all this time were done very nicely.

Here it is - the soon-to-be renamed Manta 40.   Nothing exciting on this post - just lots of boat photos!

The cockpit fiberglass/gelcoat repair is amazingly well done!

We will be very comfy cruising around in this boat!

The galley - lots of storage!

The saloon area is very roomy.

Love the cavernous chest refrigerator and freezer!

Digital controls - we just turned them on so they're not quite cooled down yet.

Walking towards the starboard (right) side.

The "guest" hull - forward is the head (bathroom) and shower .  In the most forward area is a berth with a single bunk - and mostly storage for  spare parts!

Also in this forward area is the washer/dryer.  I know this doesn't sound exciting, but it's pretty uncommon to have one on a sailboat!  It washes the clothes and then dries them in the same tub.

The boat has practically new engines (30 horsepower Volvo diesels).   Due to a manufacturer's recall, we'll be getting brand new engines at some point in the next year or so!

There's also a water-maker - so we'll be able to make fresh water from sea water!

The aft area on the guest hull has a very nice double berth.

And very nice storage!

The electronics and electrical panel are very nicely done.

Going over to the "owners hull"....again, great storage areas.

Here is our berth.

And very nice storage on this side also.

And the entire forward area is the owner's head and separate shower.

That's all for now - going sailing with the owner tomorrow!

Boat we are buying - we think!

I thought I'd post some photos of the boat that we are buying....and I say "we think" because the deal is not finished yet.  Due to some scheduling delays on some repairs, we won't be getting the boat until October when we return from our Australia trip.

The boat is near Houston, Texas....so will be quite an adventure getting it home to NC!!  I calculated that it's well over 2500 miles.


This is the boat - a Manta 40 catamaran.  These photos are not mine - they are the previous owner's.  We have not seen the boat yet, but have a deposit on it pending our inspection.  If it's as advertised, it's very well equipped and a good solid boat.

The name will NOT remain "Double Wide"....we'll have to have a re-naming ceremony to appease the "sea gods"!

Cockpit....dog definitely NOT included, of course!

Interior pics.

At anchor in the Bahamas

Galley -

Cockpit

Single berth

Saloon area

Berth - there are 2 similar berths.

Generator - yay!  A/C at anchor if we desire!!

Yay!!  washer/dryer!

Watermaker - so we can be pretty self-sufficient!

2 heads...so our guests can be comfy!!

Stay tuned....will update in October when we head to Houston!

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South Florida boat shopping

We flew to south Florida to do a little boat shopping!

Arriving near Naples - we had forgotten how many people live in South Florida!!!  Haha

First up was 40' Leopard - this boat has been around the world!  It's very nicely equipped.

Nice galley.

And several custom features - including this great drawer arrangement in the forward guest berth for tool/spare part storage.

This was the only boat to see in Naples - so we had a bit of fun during what remained of the afternoon.

We went for a 4 mile walk - from our hotel to the beach.....on the way I spied these HUGE ficus trees in the background (the round mushroom-like trees)....just thought they were cute  and I wonder if I can get my little ficus tree to grow like that!!!  (Nice to be in shorts on Dec 30th!!!)

Walking down the beach in Naples - we're really close to the airport  - saw several helicopters buzzing the beachline.

Walked all the way to a quaint little downtown area called Tin City - lots of shops and restaurants on the waterfront.

We went to "Pinchers" - seemed to be a popular spot.

Two-for one beers....

And some really great raw oysters!

 On the walk back thru Tin City - note the airplane on final approach to the airport.

Then the next day, it was a quick flight up to Sarasota Airport (just 80 miles).

We had an appointment with a broker to see a couple of Manta catamarans.

I didn't get a really good photo of the "whole boat"....but it's a nice sturdy catamaran.  (I don't like the name....Iguana Dance....but that could be fixed).

Interior was in good shape.

Nice large berths.

Some nice cabinetry.

And we're thinking about putting an offer in for this one!!!