Maximize Your Deck Space with the Manta Rack: The Ultimate Solution for Water Mat Storage
The Manta Rack is an innovative storage solution for bulky water mats, allowing boaters to free up deck space and easily transport gear using their boat’s rod holders. Designed for durability and convenience, it enhances both the functionality and comfort of any boating trip.
If you’ve been out to the sandbar or on the water in the past few years, you’ve likely seen those big, round foam mats sticking out of boats or floating at an island or sandbar. Water mats have become incredibly popular for sandbar hangouts and family outings on the boat, offering endless hours of entertainment and a great place to relax. However, if you talk to anyone who owns one, you’ll hear the same complaint: they are a huge pain to store and transport!
As a Heritage 231 owner—which is the perfect boat for both sandbar trips and fishing—and with a young family, I’ve experienced firsthand the hassle of transporting one of these mats, especially when we have other families joining us. While the mats are lightweight, they are bulky and difficult to store in a convenient spot on the boat. My kids won’t let us leave the dock without it, so we had to find a solution.
Luckily, we have a friend in the industry who invented the perfect solution: The Manta Rack. This state-of-the-art system utilizes the gunwale rod holders on the boat, not only getting the mat off the deck but also out of the way. These racks are incredibly high-quality and swivel to work with the different angles of rod holders. Made from powder-coated aluminum, they are durable yet lightweight. Additionally, the system includes an adjustable bungee strap to secure the mat when underway.
The Manta Rack has not only freed up deck space and allowed us to have friends on board more comfortably, but it also enables us to travel with the mat even when the boat is on the trailer. Although it’s not officially recommended, we found a way to transport it safely to the Keys and beyond by securing a line from the midship cleat to the stern cleat, and running a strap from the trailer to the toe rail. We’ve successfully traveled all over Florida, comfortably hauling our bulky mat along with us.
If you’d like more information about these racks and the various options and accessories available, check out the Manta Rack website.