Native Mantaray 14

Still comparing online before I buy this spring. Dose anyone know anything about this boat?

http://www.nativewatercraft.com/manta_14_angler.cfm

It's got a similar hull to the tarpon, but you sit a little deeper, so it's a little less comfortable sitting side saddle. Hull is efficient & stable, and it's good quality plastic.

It would be a fine boat. What's your size & what are you wanting to do with it?

I want something between 14'-16' for the sound, and the occasional off shore paddle. I want my second boat to be faster, and track better than my Cobra Fish 'n' Dive. I'm still pretty well sold on the Malibu Stealth 14, but this boat caught my eye. 

It does look like a Tarpon but w/ love handles. 70#'s is pretty chunky and beats my 16' Adventure. Also the tankwell is a little skimpy as is the seating area. Not much flat deck space for adding rod holders etc..


The Stealth14 is a little lighter and has a really large tankwell and seating area. It's pretty much the the old X-Factor w/ some additions. I paddled the X for some time and while it did paddle well and was ULTRA stable you really feel the mass when carrying and paddling.

Although it's marketed as 13' feet, the almost 14' X-13 (13'10") is a better choice IMO. I like it's svelte lines. It's a paddler while the Stealth is more a utility yak. It's no Hobie (wink wink) but if you're a paddler I think that will fit the bill better for your sound and offshore trips.

The X-13 reminds me a lot of of the T15 with different hatches. I can see where both would be a better paddle than the S-14. One of the biggest obstacles I'm up against is the wife. She wants to start going out with me from time to time, and I don't want to put her in the Cobra. The Cobra has the stability I want for her, but I think she would get discouraged trying to push it around. I want to try and find some kind of middle ground where she will be comfortable, and I will have a boat that is easier to push those extra few miles. This is all part of the attraction to the S-14.I love the mirage drive, but I'm not sure if that's the route I want to go.

Hey Rav, are you around this weekend, want to meet and you can peddle the Revo, your wife can try it as well.  Holt

Hey Rav, are you around this weekend, want to meet and you can peddle the Revo, your wife can try it as well.  Holt

Thanks Holt, I'll shoot you a PM after I talk to the wife about it. Not sure If I can get her on a yak with the cooler weather. She will definitely be a summer time bluebird paddler, but I'll most likely take you up on this offer.


After a couple hours of online research on the X-13; I think it has edged out the S-14 as #1 on my most likely list. I like the hatch/deck layout of the S-14 better, but overall the X-13 really fits most of the requirements on my list. It appears to be far more stable than I had initially given it credit for, and apparently one of the more paddle friendly angling yaks on the market. Hobie is still and has been the wild card, but I am really liking the X-13.

Thanks for pointing it out Zee.

The X-13 reminds me a lot of of the T15 with different hatches. I can see where both would be a better paddle than the S-14. One of the biggest obstacles I'm up against is the wife. She wants to start going out with me from time to time, and I don't want to put her in the Cobra. The Cobra has the stability I want for her, but I think she would get discouraged trying to push it around. I want to try and find some kind of middle ground where she will be comfortable, and I will have a boat that is easier to push those extra few miles. This is all part of the attraction to the S-14.I love the mirage drive, but I'm not sure if that's the route I want to go.

They're all gonna be just as hard to push around as the other. When you're looking at beams from 26-36".....they're all slow. You're not going to see a big change in glide unless you were in something 23" or less and 16ft or longer.

No worries Rav.

They're all gonna be just as hard to push around as the other. When you're looking at beams from 26-36".....they're all slow. You're not going to see a big change in glide unless you were in something 23" or less and 16ft or longer.

Whatever Mr. SIK...   

Z

it's true. 15' x 30 (t-15) isn't a big change from 14' x 30. (manta 14)

you're actually going the wrong way to get more glide.

The only thing that's going to be easier is something 16ft+

If you want her to be stable and not work to hard, don't get a SOT. I'd get her a WS pungo 140. 40lbs, much less drag & resistance than any SOT, and a cockpit big enough for an elephant.

You don't have to take my word, buy another SOT and see for your self.

I understand those physics, and agree 100%. The boat I buy won't be exclusively her boat though. Right now all I own is a Fish 'n' Dive (12.5' X 36"), and what I want is another SOT that is longer and narrower. I know she won't be able to push it around as well as a Pungo, but far easier than the FnD I'll be in with our daughter. Then I'll have a faster ride when she's not on the water (most of the time). This is where Hobie really weighs on my mind. It would be ideal for her, but I really like to paddle.

Didn't mean to stir the hive, just picking the brains of NWKA's experience

  I've been known to take the big A out for a paddle and leave the drive at home. I know it's not as fast as a touring yak (and has in fact been nicknamed The Bus), but it paddles alright for me. I'd rather fish with the drive in, but for just paddling it goes a lot better with the drive out. Might want to give it a shot if you test a Revo. Could be you would find what you're looking for.

  I've been known to take the big A out for a paddle and leave the drive at home. I know it's not as fast as a touring yak (and has in fact been nicknamed The Bus), but it paddles alright for me. I'd rather fish with the drive in, but for just paddling it goes a lot better with the drive out. Might want to give it a shot if you test a Revo. Could be you would find what you're looking for.

I will certainly give this a try if my schedule aligns with Holt's one day here soon.

  You're welcome to my boat for a test as well if you'd like...................

Agree w/ Em. The big A is a pretty nice paddler.

Z