Design Brief & Intent
The primary mission of the Manta 19 was to deliver a highly functional, safe, and easily transportable "sports cruiser". In an era when many pocket cruisers of this size felt like glorified day-sailers, Miglitsch engineered the Manta 19 to compete directly with contemporary designs like the Hunter Europa and the Investigator 563. What set the Manta 19 apart from its competitors was its high-quality construction and refined interior. Unlike many small yachts of its class, the Manta 19 features a fully molded GRP interior cabin liner. This dual-skin approach virtually eliminates condensation while presenting a smooth, modern aesthetic inside the cabin.
The interior fit-out is completed with warm mahogany joinery and wood trim. Despite its diminutive 19-foot length, the boat manages to squeeze in four berths—two V-berths in the bow and two quarter berths extending aft—making it a snug but viable "weekender" for a small family. However, accommodations are compact, with a maximum headroom of 4.15 feet (1.26 meters), meaning movement below is restricted to sitting or crawling. The layout does not include a dedicated marine head, though many owners successfully stash a small chemical toilet under the V-berth cushions.
Variations & Configurations
The Manta 19 was offered in a few keel and rig arrangements to suit different sailing environments. The most prevalent configuration is the lifting keel model, which features a shallow, molded cast-iron stub keel weighing roughly 185 kg (408 lbs). This stub housing contains a galvanized steel centerplate (or centerboard) weighing approximately 25 to 30 kg (55 to 66 lbs). With the centerplate fully retracted, the boat draws just 1.59 feet (0.48 meters), allowing it to sail in very shallow waters or be easily launched from a trailer. With the centerplate lowered, the draft increases to 3.0 feet (0.91 meters).
For sailors in tidal areas—particularly along the muddy estuaries of the United Kingdom—Schöchl and Blakes Marine produced a bilge-keel variant. This twin-keel design allows the boat to take the ground and dry out completely upright on sand or mud without the need for legs or relying on a single central stub. Rigging is a straightforward masthead sloop configuration featuring a lightweight, easy-to-step 25-foot mast. The sail plan originally consisted of a 5.48 square meter mainsail and a choice of foresails, ranging from a standard working jib to an overlapping No. 1 genoa of 7.4 square meters.
Sailing Performance & Handling
At a total displacement of 1,500 lbs (680 kg) and carrying 408 lbs (185 kg) of ballast, the Manta 19 features a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 27.2%. This ratio, paired with a relatively narrow beam of 6.79 feet, makes the boat highly responsive and "nippy" in light-to-moderate air. It behaves much like an oversized dinghy at the helm—highly communicative and agile.
However, with a capsize screening formula around 2.38, the Manta 19 is a tender boat that is easily overpowered when the wind picks up. In winds approaching Force 4, the boat heels quickly, demanding early reefing of the mainsail and a few rolls of the genoa to maintain a balanced rudder. While the heavy cast-iron stub keel provides a reasonable safety margin, the boat's ultimate stability limit is low compared to heavy-keeled pocket cruisers. In fact, if knocked down past 90 degrees with an open companionway, the Manta 19 is vulnerable to rapid downflooding—a point underscored by historical capsize events on deep Alpine lakes. Consequently, it is best enjoyed as an inland lake cruiser or a protective coastal day-boat.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Today, the Manta 19 is highly regarded on the European brokerage market as a value-driven starter boat or a low-maintenance trailer sailer. It occupies a distinct market tier: cheaper to buy, store, and maintain than larger 22-to-24-foot pocket cruisers, yet offering vastly superior shelter and build quality compared to open day-sailers. Owners can expect incredibly forgiving refit economics. Replacement sails from budget lofts are highly affordable, and the auxiliary power demands are easily met by a simple 4 hp to 5 hp long-shaft outboard motor.
Known Issues & Triage
Maintaining a vintage Manta 19 requires keeping a close eye on several age-related mechanical issues:
- The Centerplate Mechanism: The galvanized steel centerplate is prone to heavy scaling and rust over decades of service. If left neglected, the plate can swell within the cast-iron keel slot and become jammed. Removing the plate to sand, treat, or replace it requires lifting the boat completely off its trailer. The centerplate pivot bolt (an Allen head screw on the starboard side of the keel) is notorious for seizing; attempting to force it frequently results in the bolt head snapping off, requiring careful drilling and blowtorch heat to extract.
- Rudder Stock Delamination: The original kick-up rudder housing is constructed of laminated 18mm marine plywood cheeks. Years of water ingress often cause these wooden cheeks to rot and delaminate. Many owners choose to fabricate replacement cheeks using marine-grade plywood sealed in epoxy, or upgrade to a custom aluminum plate stock.
- Mast Foot Cracks: The cast-aluminum pivoting mast foot is a known weak point. Hard landings during mast-raising or over-tensioning the rigging can stress the casting, leading to cracks around the pivot pin hole. This component must be closely inspected for hairline fractures before stepping the rig.
The Verdict
The Schöchl Manta 19 remains one of the most successful small trailer-sailers of its era, combining a high-quality GRP build with an intelligent layout that maximizes comfort on a tiny footprint. It is an exceptional, budget-friendly entry point for those sailing on inland lakes, rivers, and shallow coastal estuaries.
Pros:
- High-quality molded GRP interior liner virtually eliminates cabin condensation.
- Extremely light towing weight makes it easy to trailer behind standard passenger cars.
- Shallow draft with the centerplate up allows access to tight creeks and easy beaching.
- Large, active owner community provides plenty of technical documentation and support.
- Very low ongoing maintenance and slipway operating costs.
Cons:
- Tender in a breeze, requiring early and frequent reefing.
- Low ultimate righting moment makes it unsuitable for open ocean or rough offshore passages.
- Extremely limited headroom makes the cabin strictly "sitting room only."
- The centerplate mechanism is highly prone to jamming due to rust and seized pivot bolts.
