Line Prophet 100 vs Mantra

[Mudfoot]

Trying to decide between the Prophet 100 (186cm) and Mantra (191cm). They have similar demensions and I think similar characteristics. I've found lots of info here and elsewhere about the Mantras, but not much on the Lines. Anyone here on the Prophet 100s?

I've got other skis and I'm looking to replace my 190 cm K2 AK Launchers with a powder/crud ski. Not too concerned with mogal or hard snow performance. I'd only pull them out with at least 6" new. I found some deals on 191 Mantras but the reviews seem to be all over the map on performance, and now I'm seeing stuff on delamination problems.

I can get the Lines in a 186, which may be too short because of the turned up tail taking even more length away. I'm 210 lbs and need something with a little heft, but I'm not interested in going much fatter than these skis. I like my 190s and find my 184 Atomic REXs to feel a little short. I'm concernd the 186 Lines may not be enough ski.

Any thoughts on the Line 100s would be appreciated.

[bio-smear]

Sounds like you are in the same boat I am-- Bigger guy who needs a bit longer ski. I have the Prophet 100's and they're a pretty good all around ski with good float, but they feel short to me because of the twin. I'm not sure how the turn radius of the Mantra compares, but the Prophet is a little on the short side for me. It's 18m, and I feel much more comfortable driving my Jaks, which are softer, but have a turn radius of 23m. Then you've got Bros, which have much less sidecut with a turn radius of like ~30m. Very stable, but it takes a little more pushing to get them around, especially the stiffs. I've found the Prophets really really easy to turn, which is nice in steeps with decent snow depth, but for running out or straightlining at speed, they get a little hairy. The dimensions of the Mantra are somewhat smaller than the Prophet 100(-5mm all around), though, so the skis are not necessarily in the same category.

That advice is prob worth less than a penny.

[Mudfoot]

bio-smear: On the contrary, that is just the kind of info I'm looking for. How long are your Prophet 100s? Besides the length, I don't particularly like the large sidecut on the Lines. I prefer a powder ski that is a little straighter since I tend to make bigger turns anyway. I can also get a deal on the Jaks, but have always thought of those as more of a tele ski. (Actually my plan is to buy something new for alpine and remount the AK Launchers for tele, but that's another story.) Perhaps a longer Jak would fill the bill as a alpine powder board. How long are yours?

[sfotex]

Jak = Mo'Ship
Launcher~Work Stinx (more or less)

[bio-smear]

My Prophet 100's are 186cm, my '03 Jaks are 190cm. The Jaks don't have as big a twin tip so they feel longer.

The new Jak is no longer the Mothership AFAIK. It's got a flat squared off tail, but is only 90mm in the waist. The Jak Team however = Line Prophet 100 sans the threaded inserts. I looked at the Jak BC in the shop the other day and it looks to be a nice, light BC ski. Not sure how the flex compares to the reg Jak or Jak Team though.

-Jak Mehoff

[pechelman]

I know you want something longer, but maybe checkout that groups deal on kingswoods going on. 185 might be a tad short, but beef it up with the extra stiff option and pick your girth and it could potentially suffice.

As far as mantras, maybe find an older 190 Exploder?

[dirtybryan]

I remember seeing a shop in stowe vermont blowing out some 191 mantra's IIRC for like 350-400 new. If you end up choosing the mantra i'll try to look the store up for you.

[Mudfoot]

I e-mailed the US Volkl rep and ask for a list of all the Colorado, New Mexico and Utah shops that he had shipped 191 Mantras and he gave me the info (a very short list), so I've tracked down a couple of pairs and am trying to work deals, but $400 is way less than they are offering so far. I usually have good luck negotiating for long skis at the end of the season, especially when they are changing the model like the Mantra.

I was pretty commited to getting the Mantras but started having second thoughts after reading about the delam problems. One of the dealers suggested rounding the top edges with a file to reduce the topsheet splinter factor. I have noticed that most of the reviewers either love or hate them, but I liked the old Explosivs (although I found them a little planky) so I figured a little softer and a little more tip width and sidecut would be just about right.

It sounds like I would find the 186 Prophets a little short. I guess I'll have to check on the Jaks a little more. I like the idea of a 190, but I was shooting for a little more than a 90mm waist. Is the Mothership wider?