Von Sol 'Flying Manta' stub groveler

[cbadsurfer]

Ive ridden my flying manta 3 days in a row now, in waves I wouldnt have normally paddled out in. So much fun. The speed in small flat waves is ridiculous.

I liked it so much I grabbed a von sol seabird off craigslist. I bought it from someone's wife who said her husband had just purchased a few dark arts albums. I suspect they lurk here somewhere..

 

[MathDebater]

Manta FTW! What's the seabird supposed to be?

 

[cbadsurfer]

Im not totally sure, but it feels pretty similar to the manta. oceanslide gave a ride report many pages back. He said it could turn slightly better but didnt grovel quite as well. My manta is 5'5 x 21 3/4 x 2 3/4 and the seabird is 5'7 x 21 7/8 x 2 3/4.

@Oceanslide is this the same 5'7 you surfed a few years back?

 

[toowalled]

Im not totally sure, but it feels pretty similar to the manta. oceanslide gave a ride report many pages back. He said it could turn slightly better but didnt grovel quite as well. My manta is 5'5 x 21 3/4 x 2 3/4 and the seabird is 5'7 x 21 7/8 x 2 3/4.

@Oceanslide is this the same 5'7 you surfed a few years back?

Is the 2 3/4 foiled out? or is it super floaty

 

[cbadsurfer]

The rails arent too beefy. They are pretty foiled towards the tail. I dont have any problems sinking the rail on turns.

 

[Havoc]

oceanslide had a potato popper iirc

 

[Oceanslide]

Im not totally sure, but it feels pretty similar to the manta. oceanslide gave a ride report many pages back. He said it could turn slightly better but didnt grovel quite as well. My manta is 5'5 x 21 3/4 x 2 3/4 and the seabird is 5'7 x 21 7/8 x 2 3/4.

@Oceanslide is this the same 5'7 you surfed a few years back?

Long time ago, but yeah, it was Sean’s carbon Seabird when he was riding smaller boards than I was. Still super fun and playful, but I’d prob go an inch or two longer than a Manta if you want similar grovel.

 

[Oceanslide]

Is the 2 3/4 foiled out? or is it super floaty

The rails on these are very foiled down rails.
Part of the magic, IMO.
Damn, I need to surf mine more. I just need to surf more! Lol

 

[donger]

Ive ridden my flying manta 3 days in a row now, in waves I wouldnt have normally paddled out in. So much fun. The speed in small flat waves is ridiculous.

I liked it so much I grabbed a von sol seabird off craigslist. I bought it from someone's wife who said her husband had just purchased a few dark arts albums. I suspect they lurk here somewhere..

View attachment 142239

havoc's sloppy thirds are magic...makes me chuckle whenever I see that hole in the pad and the von "sold"!

 

[cbadsurfer]

Long time ago, but yeah, it was Sean’s carbon Seabird when he was riding smaller boards than I was. Still super fun and playful, but I’d prob go an inch or two longer than a Manta if you want similar grovel.

Cool, the seabird I got is 2 inches longer but 1/8 wider than my manta. Do you recall what fins you used in it? Did you use the nubster? I have the fiberglass von knight quad and honeycomb stilettos now.

 

[Havoc]

 

[BrownFish]

Which one of you fools used to own this one? It's a 5'8. I just picked it up off CL in Encinitas. Guy I bought it from said he was the second owner. Small inside sandbars have left me wanting one of these speed demons again. Plus, going to WACO for 3 days in May (driving through). Might be a good option from everything that I've heard.

 

[BrownFish]

Oh My! This board goes so good. I'm approaching 55, and this board makes me feel young again. So much speed and maneuverability. It's really nice riding a shorter board again. This is my 3rd Manta, but it's been some years since I've ridden one. I especially like the pointed nose. I know is aesthetics, and doesn't do anything vs than the squared one, but it just feels good. If you still have one of these in you quiver and haven't ridden it in a while, Give it a go. Best board purchase in a while!

 

[lofatkilla]

Oh My! This board goes so good. I'm approaching 55, and this board makes me feel young again. So much speed and maneuverability. It's really nice riding a shorter board again. This is my 3rd Manta, but it's been some years since I've ridden one. I especially like the pointed nose. I know is aesthetics, and doesn't do anything vs than the squared one, but it just feels good. If you still have one of these in you quiver and haven't ridden it in a while, Give it a go. Best board purchase in a while!

Love hearing this. I'm all excited to ride mine now. Haven't in a month or so.

 

[cbadsurfer]

My manta hit some rocks on the inside the other day

My VS seabird - pointy nose, swallow tail, fuller rail manta - is my best purchase in a while. So slippery fast and draws the tightest fastest arcs even on the smallest ripple. My only complaint is its easy to get too much speed that is hard to wipe off. Love that board.

 

[Oceanslide]

It’s been a long time since I’ve surfed mine. Hell, it’s been a long time since I’ve surfed at all! Need to rekindle the love. Stoked for you, G!

 

[lofatkilla]

My manta hit some rocks on the inside the other day

My VS seabird - pointy nose, swallow tail, fuller rail manta - is my best purchase in a while. So slippery fast and draws the tightest fastest arcs even on the smallest ripple. My only complaint is its easy to get too much speed that is hard to wipe off. Love that board.
View attachment 150508

VS seabird?! I need!!

 

[cbadsurfer]

VS seabird?! I need!!

Yes you do! Pictures are at the top of this page. So fun.

 

[vanrysss]

I see one of these in my future.

 

[menobrah]

not gonna lie getting boards from sean is a real pleasure. Have been thinking about getting fishy and that video might have sold me on the next one...Genius middle aged marketing plan there.