I have been inspired by your manta reviews. I drove to Bloomsburg PA to get a manta (over 3 hours away) after receiving a broken one from Walmart. I have already installed lighting and built my own rear mounted transom I am thinking of trying to market. Went today and got it registered in NY and I'm really excited to hit the lake!
@BarryP So let me put my experience here buying a Manta so others know what they're getting in to. There is a happy ending but I went through a lot of effort and frustration. Ordered the white one from Walmart, shipped from Utah and arrived to Northern Virginia 9 days later on Friday, 8/16. I was checking on my neighbors fish tanks when it arrived, walked up to the truck getting ready to leave, manta on my front walkway. Asked the delivery guys if they needed a signature or if i needed to inspect it, they said No and drove off. The front end obviously took a major hit in shipping. There was a giant crease, the lifetime logo plate was crumpled, front carry handle was missing, one of the carry handle brackets was hanging by one screw, the front rod holders weren't attached, the bars on the seat were scratched up, there were multiple gouges on the hull and the motor mount was missing. Too much damage and problems, so I returned it to my local walmart in Leesburg. My buddy Beau found a Manta at Tractor Supply in Fredericksburg. I bought it online and called them. Asked the guy to take a look and make sure it was undamaged before I drove the 90 minutes to pick it up. He said it looked fine, went there Saturday (yesterday, 8/17). It was standing upright, looked OK except one minor dent. When they pulled it off the rack, i noticed that one wheel assembly, the shroud and wheel, were gone. The other shroud was mangled and the wheel was missing. Manager said he'd discount it, offered $500 (retail is 700 at TS). I came back with $450, he said Done and effectively refunded me $250. When i got home it occured to me, my Walmart had the one i returned, and the only thing that wasn't damaged was the wheel assemblies. I went back, and found the dude that helped me Friday. He checked with his manager and she said he could take the parts off for me. Gave him a screwdriver and needle nosed pliers, 10 minutes later he handed me the wheel assemblies. Went home and installed them, used silicone sealant to sure up the threaded grommets since they're obviously a weak point. Along the way i noticed the motor mount is broken and the basket for the front hatch is missing. Calling Lifetime tomorrow to see if they'll make it right. At the end of the day, i now have an intact Manta for $450. RE: rod holders, took mine apart and the outer ones that stick out, I took a chisel and shaved off the index point, rotated them to match the other and sealed everything back up. Worked perfectly. Love the kayak, gonna get it wet next weekend, but for those trying to hunt it down beware. Walmart can't seem to ship them properly and TS can't stock them. Lifetime has really botched this up the way they made them exclusive to only these two retailers. And with all the shipping problems, I dont know why they dont just ship it without the wheel assemblies attached and have the customer install them. The reviews at Walmart and on Lifetime's website are full of wheel assembly issues. Check you soon Barry, thanks for this series!
Sorry for the delayed response, bud. I've been swamped. I actually kinda had the same issue, but thought it was likely a fluke. When I picked up my Manta from Tractor Supply, one of the skeg-wheels completely fell off as the TS employee and I were loading it up on the Jeep. I gathered up all the hardware off the ground and properly set everything when I got home. I really should have R&R'd the other, as it came off during my swift-water float. Lifetime subsequently sent me a whole new set under warranty. My recommendation to EVERYONE is to be home and fully inspect kayak deliveries (whether the Manta or any other kayak of any brand). Refuse delivery if it's jacked up. As far as Lifetime's skeg-wheel assemblies, before you go out, take them off, make sure the pressure fittings are properly in place and re-install.
@@BarryP Minor update. Wrote this on a Sunday, 8/18. On Monday, 8/19, TS put the Manta on sale for $150 off retail ($550). Took a printout of my order in to my local TS and they refunded me $150 to honor the sale price. So i ended up with a $300 Manta! Went through some BS for it but well worth it after all was done
Love to buy one as a lighter weight alternative to my 12' Kayak But, only place I can find them in stock is Walmart and only if it's shipped to my home and I can not pick up the Kayak at Walmart so I can inspect the Kayak before I take ownership How is Wallmarts shipping an undamaged kayak?
Walmart's policy insists that you be home when it's delivered, so the buyer can inspect shipped items like kayaks... but they have been known to just drop it and drive away. If that was the case and the kayak arrives damaged, you have a very strong case that THEY actually broke their own policy and owe you a replacement or refund. They need to allow you to inspect it and accept delivery. I haven't heard any horror stories about Manta deliveries from WM, but I suppose it's possible. If you decide to do so, pay close attention to the condition of the wheel skeg assemblies. Those seem to be the most vulnerable part in the shipping process. Another suggestion is to pick a zip code of a family member or friend and see if it's available at their local Tractor Supply. Bear in mind that the Blue colorway is a TSC exclusive, and that the GREY colorway is a WM exclusive. Let us know if you have any other questions. It's an awesome kayak, and is worth the hassle it takes to get one in your hands. My "Swift Water" video drops at 6pm ET this evening.
Had a Teton 100 as my 1st YAK, 3.5” seat riser made it super tippy. Watching that Manatee in action, you really need to add a rudder or true skeg. It walks so much while being paddled. Fat Sally as she is you will kill yourself getting from A to B expending extra effort.
Mine should be coming on Monday! It shipped from Utah. When I get it I'll get a video posted.
That's great to hear, man! Thanks for keeping us posted through the difficulties!
I have been inspired by your manta reviews. I drove to Bloomsburg PA to get a manta (over 3 hours away) after receiving a broken one from Walmart. I have already installed lighting and built my own rear mounted transom I am thinking of trying to market. Went today and got it registered in NY and I'm really excited to hit the lake!
That is great, Nicholas! My email is on my home page if you want to send me a couple of photos of what you built! Thanks for the kind words!
@BarryP So let me put my experience here buying a Manta so others know what they're getting in to. There is a happy ending but I went through a lot of effort and frustration.
Ordered the white one from Walmart, shipped from Utah and arrived to Northern Virginia 9 days later on Friday, 8/16. I was checking on my neighbors fish tanks when it arrived, walked up to the truck getting ready to leave, manta on my front walkway. Asked the delivery guys if they needed a signature or if i needed to inspect it, they said No and drove off.
The front end obviously took a major hit in shipping. There was a giant crease, the lifetime logo plate was crumpled, front carry handle was missing, one of the carry handle brackets was hanging by one screw, the front rod holders weren't attached, the bars on the seat were scratched up, there were multiple gouges on the hull and the motor mount was missing. Too much damage and problems, so I returned it to my local walmart in Leesburg.
My buddy Beau found a Manta at Tractor Supply in Fredericksburg. I bought it online and called them. Asked the guy to take a look and make sure it was undamaged before I drove the 90 minutes to pick it up. He said it looked fine, went there Saturday (yesterday, 8/17). It was standing upright, looked OK except one minor dent. When they pulled it off the rack, i noticed that one wheel assembly, the shroud and wheel, were gone. The other shroud was mangled and the wheel was missing. Manager said he'd discount it, offered $500 (retail is 700 at TS). I came back with $450, he said Done and effectively refunded me $250.
When i got home it occured to me, my Walmart had the one i returned, and the only thing that wasn't damaged was the wheel assemblies. I went back, and found the dude that helped me Friday. He checked with his manager and she said he could take the parts off for me. Gave him a screwdriver and needle nosed pliers, 10 minutes later he handed me the wheel assemblies. Went home and installed them, used silicone sealant to sure up the threaded grommets since they're obviously a weak point.
Along the way i noticed the motor mount is broken and the basket for the front hatch is missing. Calling Lifetime tomorrow to see if they'll make it right.
At the end of the day, i now have an intact Manta for $450.
RE: rod holders, took mine apart and the outer ones that stick out, I took a chisel and shaved off the index point, rotated them to match the other and sealed everything back up. Worked perfectly.
Love the kayak, gonna get it wet next weekend, but for those trying to hunt it down beware. Walmart can't seem to ship them properly and TS can't stock them.
Lifetime has really botched this up the way they made them exclusive to only these two retailers. And with all the shipping problems, I dont know why they dont just ship it without the wheel assemblies attached and have the customer install them. The reviews at Walmart and on Lifetime's website are full of wheel assembly issues.
Check you soon Barry, thanks for this series!
Sorry for the delayed response, bud. I've been swamped. I actually kinda had the same issue, but thought it was likely a fluke. When I picked up my Manta from Tractor Supply, one of the skeg-wheels completely fell off as the TS employee and I were loading it up on the Jeep. I gathered up all the hardware off the ground and properly set everything when I got home. I really should have R&R'd the other, as it came off during my swift-water float. Lifetime subsequently sent me a whole new set under warranty.
My recommendation to EVERYONE is to be home and fully inspect kayak deliveries (whether the Manta or any other kayak of any brand). Refuse delivery if it's jacked up. As far as Lifetime's skeg-wheel assemblies, before you go out, take them off, make sure the pressure fittings are properly in place and re-install.
@@BarryP Minor update. Wrote this on a Sunday, 8/18. On Monday, 8/19, TS put the Manta on sale for $150 off retail ($550). Took a printout of my order in to my local TS and they refunded me $150 to honor the sale price. So i ended up with a $300 Manta! Went through some BS for it but well worth it after all was done
I can't wait!!😊
Do you have one on the way?
@@BarryP not yet, soon tho
@@emarmy00 I finally got the Manta onto a long, swift stretch yesterday. It's a great kayak!
Love to buy one as a lighter weight alternative to my 12' Kayak
But, only place I can find them in stock is Walmart and only if it's shipped to my home and I can not pick up the Kayak at Walmart so I can inspect the Kayak before I take ownership
How is Wallmarts shipping an undamaged kayak?
Walmart's policy insists that you be home when it's delivered, so the buyer can inspect shipped items like kayaks... but they have been known to just drop it and drive away. If that was the case and the kayak arrives damaged, you have a very strong case that THEY actually broke their own policy and owe you a replacement or refund. They need to allow you to inspect it and accept delivery. I haven't heard any horror stories about Manta deliveries from WM, but I suppose it's possible. If you decide to do so, pay close attention to the condition of the wheel skeg assemblies. Those seem to be the most vulnerable part in the shipping process. Another suggestion is to pick a zip code of a family member or friend and see if it's available at their local Tractor Supply. Bear in mind that the Blue colorway is a TSC exclusive, and that the GREY colorway is a WM exclusive. Let us know if you have any other questions. It's an awesome kayak, and is worth the hassle it takes to get one in your hands. My "Swift Water" video drops at 6pm ET this evening.
Had a Teton 100 as my 1st YAK, 3.5” seat riser made it super tippy. Watching that Manatee in action, you really need to add a rudder or true skeg. It walks so much while being paddled. Fat Sally as she is you will kill yourself getting from A to B expending extra effort.
You'd be surprised how easy it is.