Press release from Manta Catamarans: POWER CAT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: Why doesn't the Manta 44 PowerCat have a fly bridge? Two of the main priorities when we created this design were to maximize fuel efficiency and stability. The added weight and windage of a flybridge is counter to both of these. The individual hulls would have to be quite a bit wider to accommodate the added weight which would reduce efficiency and the increase in windage would reduce the speed. Additionally the added weight aloft would raise the VCG quite a bit reducing stability offshore. Finally, with an above the waterline clearance under fifteen feet, the Manta can clear many fixed bridges, opening up the opportunity cruising trips such as the Great Loop. Q: Is the Manta 44 a displacement or a planning design? The Manta 44 PowerCat is a high efficiency displacement hull design with enough area aft to allow planning when the appropriate horsepower is used. This hull shape offers the ability to be very efficient at displacement speeds, but requires much less power to go to a planning mode than conventional monohull designs, while offering a softer ride offshore. Q: What does the gull wing shape in the bridge deck offer? The gull wing shape or Nacelle offers several distinct advantages over flat bridge deck designs. First this shape offers much better structural integrity over flat shapes with no hard corners to stress, second it offers a much smaller profile to wave action to reduce wave pounding between the hulls, and third it provides extra buoyancy in rough seas to help prevent pitching. Q: Is the Manta power cat more fuel efficient than conventional monohull trawlers? The Manta PoweCat requires less horsepower to push at displacement speeds because the fine hulls create less drag with a much smaller bow wave than monohull trawlers, and with its high tech construction weighs less. These features allow higher displacement speeds and require less horsepower at a given speed than an equivalent size monohull trawler Q: How does the Manta achieve such a shallow draft? The Manta achieves a 2'8" draft with the use of propellers tunnels and a lighter overall displacement. Though tunnels normally detract a bit from performance, Manta has been able to maintain good flow to the propellers through the careful design of its canoe stern. These tunnels allow the props to be tucked up enough to offer a shallow draft with full protection without the drag of struts and protective fin keels/skegs that other designs utilize. Q: Why is the Manta priced lower than some other designs? First the Manta is made entirely in the USA, so there are no long range shipping charges. Also there is no exchange rate penalty paid, and Manta sells only factory direct, saving the normal dealer markup. These advantages combined with the fact that the company is privately owned and the Manta is built as a limited production yacht, allow Manta Catamarans to offer one of the best values in the marine industry. Q: How stable is the Manta offshore? Between the generous overall beam of 21', low VCG as a result of no flybridge, and fuel and holding tanks installed below the waterline, the Manta 44 PowerCat is one of the most stable yachts in the world in its size range. Needless to say stabilizers and their high associated cost normally required for offshore monohull cruisers are not needed here. Q: How difficult is it to handle the Manta when docking? The widely spaced engines of the Manta offer excellent maneuverability with the ability to spin on a dime. An optional bow thruster is available as well to offer superb maneuverability. Q: Are the propellers and rudders fully protected? Yes the propellers and rudders are fully protected with a massive stainless steel skeg running between the end of the canoe fairbody and heel of the rudder. Q: Does the Manta have long range capabilities? Yes, at displacement speeds the Manta has a range over 2000 miles. Q: Why is the Manta wider than some other designs? The Manta was designed for serious cruisers and liveaboards so less emphasis was placed on marina friendliness and more on what is important to cruisers. However at 21' the Manta 44 PowerCat is still easily accommodated in most yards and marinas. The generous beam of the Manta offers a multitude of advantages; wider side decks for a given interior volume, better stability, better maneuverability, larger salon and cockpit space. Q: Is the Manta designed to be a self sufficient cruiser like the SailCat? Absolutely. The Manta 44 PowerCat employs the same high efficiency electrical system as the SailCat. With a standard house battery capacity of 600amps and the option to go to 800amps, combined with optional solar panels, standard high capacity battery charger and alternators, all with smart charging regulation, propane stove/oven, and 12 volt refrigeration, the Manta 44 is one of the most self sufficient motor yachts afloat. Q: How secure are the dinghy davits offshore? The dingy davits are custom designed to offer a very secure location for offshore cruising. These davits keep the dinghy high enough for safety without the inherent loss of stability realized by others when they stow the dinghy on upper decks and hardtops. Q: Can the cockpit be air-conditioned? Yes the cockpit can be ducted for reverse cycle air-conditioning, for all weather comfort. Q: What are the advantages of having the engines aft in the Manta? One of the main advantages the Manta 44 PowerCat offers is a large separate engine room with a completely watertight bulkhead. Not only does this reduces interior noise and heat, but would prevent flooding of the interior in the event of a major leak in the engine room. Q: How hard is it to anchor the Manta? The Manta 44 PowerCat has a superb anchoring system with dual anchor and large capacity chain rode storage and bridle system. With the all chain rode, deployment and retrieval is push button, and the bridle system offers great control and shock absorption. Q: What advantage do the salon window louvers provide? While we feel the louvers are aesthetically pleasing, they also are very functional, protecting the windows from direct sunlight and the associated radiant heat reduces cabin temperatures dramatically. Also the louvers protect the salon windows from oncoming seas offshore in bad weather. Q: What is different about the rudder design? Unlike many other PowerCat designs that use "off the shelf" bronze rudders that were designed for high speed planning yachts, the rudders for the Manta 44 PowerCat are custom designed for maximum efficiency at displacement speeds and in a seaway. They are much larger than the norm with a thicker cross section and less tendency to stall. These features allow for better control in adverse conditions and when utilizing one engine. http://www.mantacatamarans.com/powercat.html -- By the by, when I pass along press releases that I cross my desk, I post them for what they are, publicity releases from power catamaran builders, designers, dealers and others which represent the viewpoint of those same builders, designers, dealers and others. The discerning reader may need to apply a grain of salt. I post the releases for general information purposes, without any verification or endorsement, and clearly indicate the source. If you disagree with the subject matter of a release, or have other comments, please post a message to the List. --Georgs Georgs Kolesnikovs Power Catamaran World http://www.powercatamaranworld.com PS Members of the trade are encouraged to ensure I'm on their contact lists for press releases.