Manitou Pontoon Boats Reviewed in 2025

New Generation Manitou Pontoon Boats — The Most Innovative and Unique Pontoons on the Market Today?

Beginning in 2023, Manitou completely modernized its pontoon designs, beginning with the Cruise and Explore models. While these are entry- to mid-level boats, available between 20 and 24 feet long, the new features make them appealing to even experienced tooners.

They’re beautiful, revolutionary, and really stand out in an otherwise ho-hum market.

Manitou spent a lot of time making these boats look great. The side walls are shaped aluminum panels—much sleeker and better finished than any other comparable pontoon. The interior seating is equally beautiful and well-thought-out. There are integrated speakers, cup holders, and USB charging ports everywhere.

Part of the BRP family, it’s clear the innovation in design and tech isn’t far from other exciting boats in sister companies’ fleets. The unique Sea Doo Switch pontoon hybrid is one such example of leveraging innovation across platforms, demonstrated by the Rotax motors.

Rotax S Outboard Power

By far, the most unique and eye-catching feature of the new generation of Manitou pontoons is the “stealth” outboard. This all-new motor is unique to this pontoon boat because it is manufactured by Rotax, a well-known Canadian engine manufacturer that BRP also owns. You’ll only find the engine on other BRP brand boats, like Alumacraft, Quintrex, and Sea Doo.

So, what is a “stealth outboard,” anyway? While the name is a bit of an exaggeration, the motor is certainly less intrusive than any other on the market. In addition, the engine is designed to be flat, with the powerhead mounted horizontally at the waterline instead of vertically above the water.

At first glance, the engine doesn’t appear all that different. But once you start thinking about it, quite a lot has to change to make such an engine possible. For example, its cowling cover is a sealed, watertight compartment to protect it from the elements. Rotax also includes a number of water sensors and pumps designed to ensure no water intrusion occurs. The drive train is also complicated, with extra gears to transfer engine power to the prop.

And then, there’s the fact that this outboard is a truly rare breed in the 2020s. It’s a two-stroke. This outboard is built on technologies last seen in the previous generation of Evinrude two-stroke outboards, a brand BRP killed off in 2020. It features oil injection, so you don’t have to mix your fuel, but you do need to keep the 3.5-gallon oil reservoir topped up. The computer-controlled system, called E-Tec, ensures the engine runs smoothly and cleanly.

One advantage of the two-stroke motor is that it requires less maintenance. There is no crankcase oil to change every 100 or 250 hours. BRP’s first recommended service for the Rotax occurs at 500 hours or five years. That service, however, and any before or after it, are sure to be doozies. You’ll have to disassemble the watertight housing that protects the motor and reseal it extremely carefully to get to the motor.

So, the Rotax S outboard has some positives of two-stroke motors, but not all. It’s not light. The S150 weighs 522 pounds. BPR says that the engine’s own buoyancy counters some of that weight. It’s apparent when planing that the engine’s weight creates a smooth, efficient ride too.

They also claim that the engine is quieter. One measurement to consider is the Manitou Cruise Max, with around 80 decibels at cruising speed. It’s not silent, but it’s not raising a storm of noise, either.

First impressions will be very positive for the overall experience of the comfort and performance of the Manitou line.

The real purpose of this innovation is to get the engine out of sight and out of mind. The engine is hidden below a swim platform, which Manitou calls the MAX Deck. The deck has a hinged portion under the engine, so when the motor can still be tilted out of the water.

Max Deck Aft Platform

By making an outboard with such a low profile, BRP has been freed up to utilize the space above it. They’ve created a four-foot-wide platform for the Manitou pontoon and Alumacraft fishing boats that looks like the huge swim platform you’d expect on a jet or inboard ski boat. Manitou says the platform adds 38 square feet of more useable space to the boat. On a 20 or 24-foot boat, that’s a pretty big deal. They call it the “+4,” meaning it sticks out around 4 feet.

The platform is covered with foam decking for comfortable traction. It also includes tie-down attachment points for BRP LINQ accessories, like coolers, storage bins, and fishing gear.

There are a few tradeoffs, however. The Max Deck is slightly higher off the water than the true swim platform with an inboard vessel. There’s a retractable ladder that hides in the starboard side of the deck, but it’s worth noting if you spend a lot of time with watersports and swimming.

Also, since this is an outboard boat, the prop is right under the platform. So while it’s great for skiing and tubing, some attention to preventing the tow rope from getting tangled in the prop needs to be had.

Modern Styling

Manitou’s brand image has always been based on sleek styling that is a cut above the standard pontoon boat. Even their entry-level Cruise model features aluminum body panels with integrated docking and nav lights. It’s eye-catching, sleek, and looks more like an automobile than a boat. It definitely takes the pontoon boat to the next level.

On the high end of the Manitou range, the TX boat has painted fiberglass walls that stand out. The glass allows for more curves and an even more modern appearance,

plus, it’s lightweight and easy to maintain on the water.

The modern touches don’t stop when you step aboard, though. The designers spent a lot of time getting the little things about the Manitou pontoon just right. This is different from your typical pontoon boat assembled with off-the-shelf generic parts. Instead, everything is designed to work together—everything fits just right.

Instead of generic bench seating, there are molded cushions built into the vessel’s structure. All upholstery is made with cool-touch, easy-care vinyl and has ample storage space below each seat.

The helm station has been redesigned for better useability. Garmin touchscreen and Fusion audio systems are standard. Upgraded model lines include digital connectivity that interfaces with the Garmin sport watch. A wireless charger and phone cubby are conveniently located near the wheel, so you can use your favorite chartplotter and boating apps while driving.

Around the passenger seating, USB chargers, speakers, and cupholders are integrated into the walls. Seats have storage below, and a dry storage box is located at the nav station. Several attachment points exist for more BRP LINQ system accessories, like more cup holders. All in all, everything is very comfortable and looks great.

Multiple Layouts and Options

The level of customizability offered to customers is superb. The company allows you to spec out your pontoon boat on its website and provides a “transparent” pricing policy. In addition, you can choose major options like dual tube or tritoon, the new Rotax outboards, or traditional four-stroke outboards. And, of course, you can pick from a wide range of trim, accessory, and color options.

Manitou offers four different model lines to choose from, but they refer to them using various terms. Therefore, it takes a little studying to determine which model line to look into!

• Value = Cruise
• Recreation = Explore
• Sport = LX
• Luxury = XT

The Manitou Cruise and Explore models are the company’s entry-level pontoon boats that have been completely redesigned from the keel up for 2023. The Value series is the Cruise model, available in 20 and 22-foot versions.

The Recreation model is represented by the Explore pontoon. It’s a little bigger, available in 22, 24, or 26-foot lengths. Significantly more expensive than the Cruise, it has features you might want in the long run. But it might be hard to justify almost $20-grand for the extra space.

These two models share many design features, with a few more layout options for the larger Explore. Either is available with the new Rotax powerplant or regular outboard engines. Either can be ordered with dual tubes or in a tritoon configuration—although, if you pick the dual tubes, you’ll have to stick with a standard outboard.

These boats feature Manitou’s trifold bench design, a clever gadget that provides nearly every possible combination of seating and accommodations you might ever want. The aftmost back is a “switchback,” allowing you to sit facing forward or aft. With all seats down, it makes a complete bench that seats up to three. With the center retracted, two seats face one another. A flip-up table converts this arrangement into a mini dinette.

The LX (Sport) and TX (Luxury) lineups are the company’s legacy, higher-end options. These feature a high-performance tritoon hull with performance characteristics that mimic a traditional fiberglass deep vee hull. Unfortunately, these models are only currently available with traditional single or dual outboards—up to 900 horsepower.

Presently, the largest Rotax stealth outboard available is 150 horsepower, but that’s sure to change soon. When it does, expect the LX and TX lines to be updated with new generation features you see on the Cruise and Explore.

The LX and TX models come with more layout options.

• Split Rear Sport (SRS)
• Split Rear Windshield (SRW)
• Rear Facing X-Treme (RFX)
• Rear Facing X-Treme Windshield (RFXW)

Manitou Price/Quality

Manitou isn’t a bottom-tier brand, which is obvious once you step aboard their boats. But, while they look classy and luxurious, they don’t come with a luxury-level price tag, either. The boats are well built, look great, and feature many more innovative features than any other similarly-priced pontoon boat on the market today.

No matter how you shake it, you get a really nice boat for your money when you purchase a Manitou.

Do We Recommend Manitou Pontoons?

If you’re in the market for a pontoon boat, it’s easier to go right with a Manitou pontoon. These boats look great, handle well, and are comfortable and fun to play on. To paraphrase the company’s words, you’re not buying a boat; you’re buying a summer to remember.

One of our favorite things about the Manitou lineup is the amount of customizability you can have as you spec out your boat. Don’t like the idea of the new Rotax outboard? You can opt for a traditional four-stroke from Mercury, Honda, Suzuki, or Yamaha. The new Explore from Manitou is a great boat, and we’re looking forward to reviewing new, more powerful Rotax-powered pontoons in the near future.