It seems that the innovative Manitou MAX Deck design, which places an expansive rear deck over a low-profile Rotax S outboard engine, is a success—Manitou says 2024 MAX Deck models out-sold boats without it. For 2025, ­Manitou makes the MAX Deck, previously only offered with triple-tube V-Toon models, more attainable with the introduction of twin-tube Cruise models, like the twin-tube Cruise MAX 22 Switchback we tested. It has a base price of $60,772, or $7,000 less than the V-Toon version.

Twin-tube Cruise models will ­appeal to customers more focused on relaxed cruising on smaller lakes than on peak performance in big water. The twin-tube models are equipped with forward splash guards but do not have lifting strakes, and of course, there’s no provision for center stowage. In all other regards, the twin-tube Cruise MAX offers the same features as a V-Toon model. That aft deck offers 38 square feet of flat space for lounging, toting bulky gear like a tube or small kayak, or securing an accessory cooler or cargo box to LinQ integrated ­attachment points. 

The interior design is crisp and ­modern. Our Switchback version offers pivoting backrests port and starboard aft, which permit lounging while facing that MAX Deck, plus a pivoting backrest to port amidships, facing a console. All instrumentation is presented on a 7-inch Garmin multifunction display at the helm. Lightweight sheet aluminum siding can be removed easily for rigging service or to replace a damaged panel. Our test boat featured the optional Signature Package ($2,105), which includes a second house battery, a privacy station in the console, a low-back helm seat with a flip-up bolster, and LED docking and ­courtesy lighting.

The 150 hp Rotax S outboard has a 1.9-liter two-stroke powerhead with E-Tec direct injection, oriented horizontally and enclosed in a watertight case so that it fits below deck level. When tilted clear of the water, it raises a hinged center section of the MAX Deck. 

We noted a top speed of 28.8 mph, or about 7 mph slower than a V-Toon model. The twin-tube Cruise ­corners flat with predictable handling.

High Points

• MAX Deck offers a patiolike space and great water access.
• Transcore composite deck doesn’t absorb moisture and is made from recycled materials.
• Aluminum side panels with integrated lighting look sleek.

How We Tested

• Engine: Rotax S150 outboard
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/BRP Rogue 13.5″ x 17″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 24 gal. Crew Weight: 380 lb.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2025 Manitou Cruise 22 Max Switchback appeared first on Boating Mag.

Manitou continues to take a new-school approach to the often old-school pontoon market. Rather than staid perimeter fencing, its exterior is fashioned from sleek exterior panels made using an aluminum transformation process inspired by the automotive industry. So, our test boat sported a new-for-’25 matte-black finish, a choice that carries over onto both the rub rail and powder-coated pontoons below. LED docking lights seamlessly integrate into bow corners. Aft, the forward-leaning Sport Bimini arch continues the overall vibe, complemented by smoked acrylic panels inset within the tubing. Thanks to cool-touch vinyl, the interior can be dark, look cool and be cool.

The most new-school feature of the Explore MAX, however, continues to be its expansive aft deck and the unique outboards that make it possible. The appropriately titled MAX Deck adds an additional 6 feet of usable space at the boat’s stern. Use it to hang out, gear up for watersports, or carry copious amounts of extra gear via pop-up LinQ accessory mounts sunk into the platform that can anchor coolers, storage boxes, bags, and even fuel caddies. Where did Manitou find the space? Belowdecks is a pair of stealthy, low-profile Rotax S150 outboards. Together, they pushed our test boat to a 46.5 mph top speed. Perhaps equally important, the engines vastly improved the pontoon’s low-speed handling via iDock joystick piloting. Standard on dual Rotax models, it reduces stressful docking scenarios to almost video-game simplicity, providing intuitive control.

As to our test boat’s sleek, dark ­exterior, it proved surprisingly inviting. ­Moving forward off the MAX Deck, a pair of Switchback lounges await to port and starboard, each revealing the clever Trifold Bench midway along their length. Use it in traditional fashion for a comfy couch, pivot the Trifold cushion into the wall and pop up the dinette table below, or leave empty space for passengers to face fore and aft with feet on the floor. Switchback adjustable backrests provide a forward or aft focus. Two more couches await forward, completing the boat’s 10-passenger capacity.

High Points

• Upgraded Fusion audio system with four 6.5-inch XS speakers, two 4-inch underhelm speakers, an amp and a subwoofer. 
• V-Toon Technology mimics the feeling of a V-hull’s ride. 
• MAX deck and Rotax outboards offer a unique experience. 

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 150 hp Rotax S outboards
• Drive/Props: Outboard/BRP Viper 13 ⁷/₈” x 21″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 83 gal.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2025 Manitou Explore 24 MAX Switchback appeared first on Boating Mag.

It seems that the innovative Manitou MAX Deck design, which places an expansive rear deck over a low-profile Rotax S outboard engine, is a success—Manitou says 2024 MAX Deck models out-sold boats without it. For 2025, ­Manitou makes the MAX Deck, previously only offered with triple-tube V-Toon models, more attainable with the introduction of twin-tube Cruise models, like the twin-tube Cruise MAX 22 Switchback we tested. It has a base price of $60,772, or $7,000 less than the V-Toon version.

Twin-tube Cruise models will ­appeal to customers more focused on relaxed cruising on smaller lakes than on peak performance in big water. The twin-tube models are equipped with forward splash guards but do not have lifting strakes, and of course, there’s no provision for center stowage. In all other regards, the twin-tube Cruise MAX offers the same features as a V-Toon model. That aft deck offers 38 square feet of flat space for lounging, toting bulky gear like a tube or small kayak, or securing an accessory cooler or cargo box to LinQ integrated ­attachment points. 

The interior design is crisp and ­modern. Our Switchback version offers pivoting backrests port and starboard aft, which permit lounging while facing that MAX Deck, plus a pivoting backrest to port amidships, facing a console. All instrumentation is presented on a 7-inch Garmin multifunction display at the helm. Lightweight sheet aluminum siding can be removed easily for rigging service or to replace a damaged panel. Our test boat featured the optional Signature Package ($2,105), which includes a second house battery, a privacy station in the console, a low-back helm seat with a flip-up bolster, and LED docking and ­courtesy lighting.

The 150 hp Rotax S outboard has a 1.9-liter two-stroke powerhead with E-Tec direct injection, oriented horizontally and enclosed in a watertight case so that it fits below deck level. When tilted clear of the water, it raises a hinged center section of the MAX Deck. 

We noted a top speed of 28.8 mph, or about 7 mph slower than a V-Toon model. The twin-tube Cruise ­corners flat with predictable handling.

High Points

• MAX Deck offers a patiolike space and great water access.
• Transcore composite deck doesn’t absorb moisture and is made from recycled materials.
• Aluminum side panels with integrated lighting look sleek.

How We Tested

• Engine: Rotax S150 outboard
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/BRP Rogue 13.5″ x 17″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 24 gal. Crew Weight: 380 lb.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2025 Manitou Cruise 22 Max Switchback appeared first on Boating Mag.

Manitou continues to take a new-school approach to the often old-school pontoon market. Rather than staid perimeter fencing, its exterior is fashioned from sleek exterior panels made using an aluminum transformation process inspired by the automotive industry. So, our test boat sported a new-for-’25 matte-black finish, a choice that carries over onto both the rub rail and powder-coated pontoons below. LED docking lights seamlessly integrate into bow corners. Aft, the forward-leaning Sport Bimini arch continues the overall vibe, complemented by smoked acrylic panels inset within the tubing. Thanks to cool-touch vinyl, the interior can be dark, look cool and be cool.

The most new-school feature of the Explore MAX, however, continues to be its expansive aft deck and the unique outboards that make it possible. The appropriately titled MAX Deck adds an additional 6 feet of usable space at the boat’s stern. Use it to hang out, gear up for watersports, or carry copious amounts of extra gear via pop-up LinQ accessory mounts sunk into the platform that can anchor coolers, storage boxes, bags, and even fuel caddies. Where did Manitou find the space? Belowdecks is a pair of stealthy, low-profile Rotax S150 outboards. Together, they pushed our test boat to a 46.5 mph top speed. Perhaps equally important, the engines vastly improved the pontoon’s low-speed handling via iDock joystick piloting. Standard on dual Rotax models, it reduces stressful docking scenarios to almost video-game simplicity, providing intuitive control.

As to our test boat’s sleek, dark ­exterior, it proved surprisingly inviting. ­Moving forward off the MAX Deck, a pair of Switchback lounges await to port and starboard, each revealing the clever Trifold Bench midway along their length. Use it in traditional fashion for a comfy couch, pivot the Trifold cushion into the wall and pop up the dinette table below, or leave empty space for passengers to face fore and aft with feet on the floor. Switchback adjustable backrests provide a forward or aft focus. Two more couches await forward, completing the boat’s 10-passenger capacity.

High Points

• Upgraded Fusion audio system with four 6.5-inch XS speakers, two 4-inch underhelm speakers, an amp and a subwoofer. 
• V-Toon Technology mimics the feeling of a V-hull’s ride. 
• MAX deck and Rotax outboards offer a unique experience. 

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 150 hp Rotax S outboards
• Drive/Props: Outboard/BRP Viper 13 ⁷/₈” x 21″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 83 gal.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2025 Manitou Explore 24 MAX Switchback appeared first on Boating Mag.

As part of the 10th edition of the Boat Builder Awards run by IBI and METSTRADE, Manitou is thrilled to receive the award for Retail Marketing Initiative as a result of a unique partnership with professional quarterback Kirk Cousins. This award is open to all boat builders, shipyards and their official distributors who have demonstrated a real innovation in sales and marketing initiatives to expand their marketplace.

Kirk’s authentic passion for the water and the closeness it helps facilitate with his family speaks volumes about Manitou’s goal of creating unforgettable moments on the water. This partnership bridges the worlds of pontoon boating and professional sports, promising a fusion of excitement and relaxation for enthusiasts of both.

Highlighted in a four minute longform video, Kirk shares his journey, the freedom he feels on the water in his Manitou and the memories he can create with his family. Kirk Cousins embodies the spirit of excellence, teamwork, and dedication—values that align seamlessly with the Manitou brand. Known for his leadership both on and off the field, Kirk’s genuine passion for boating, coupled with his strong dedication to family and community, made him the ideal partner for Manitou.

“We are thrilled with the amazing results from Manitou’s partnership with Kirk Cousins and I’m honored to accept this prestigious award because of it,” said Jeremi Doyon-Roch, Global Brand Strategy Director, Marine at BRP. “The collaboration between Kirk and Manitou resonated strongly with our target audience and proved that a strong authentic partnership like we have with Kirk can redefine leisure and recreation on the water.”

For more information about Manitou pontoons, visit manitoupontoonboats.com and follow on social media: Facebook and Instagram.

The post Manitou Wins IBI Boatbuilding Prize in Partnership With Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons appeared first on Boating Mag.

Manitou’s Explore 24 represents a cool advancement in design, construction and appearance. Futuristic perimeter fencing gives a clean, automotive look. Integrated LED docking and navigation lights blend into the curved bow walls. Made from individual panels that are removable and replaceable, all the wiring and plumbing for the boat is hidden inside the exterior walls. The top rail features exclusive BRP LinQ attachment points to install accessories, such as fender clips, cup holders and wineglass ­holders.

With Mercury’s Verado 250, we hit 47 mph and raced to 30 mph in 5.8 seconds. Best economy comes at 13 mph, where we recorded 3.8 mpg. Triple pontoons with full-length lifting strakes and an underdeck spray shield combine for stellar performance and rough-water ­capability.

The Explore 24’s furniture features rectangular cushions that look firm, but feel plush and accommodating. With long lounges featuring easy-opening storage, the bow can comfortably handle several riders per side. The aft seats reverse, allowing guests to face forward or aft. Manitou’s Trifold Bench aft features facing seats with a flip-out table, or it can reverse to be a filler cushion for lounging. Seat bases offer a recessed toe kick.

The pilot and navigator sit in matching high-back chairs behind oversize consoles with low-profile windscreens. The port console features a large locking glove box with USB charging inside. The captain’s console features a phone cubby with an optional wireless charging pad, a Fusion RA-210 sound system powering four 6-inch speakers, a Garmin 9-inch digital-control center graph, and digital switches for all boat functions. A 12-foot Sport ­Bimini features a transparent plexi panel that looks solid from the outside and remains rigid at up to 55 mph when fully deployed. It also houses a storage net underneath the top, and lights for navigation and anchoring above. The decking on the ­Explore and Cruise models is composite, so there’s no wood to worry about. Options include lighted center-tube storage, twin batteries with a Smart Switch, and a ­dinette table.

High Points

• Standard Sport Bimini is rated to 55 mph.
• Redesigned helm has four focused sections: audio,  vessel monitoring, switching and charging.
• Trifold Bench folds from a seat to a table or folds away to create more space.

How We Tested

• Engine: Mercury Verado FourStroke 250 hp
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 14.5″ x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 32 gal. Crew Weight: 260 lb.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2024 Manitou Explore 24 appeared first on Boating Mag.

The Manitou Explore’s trademark MAX Deck returns for 2024—with 2 feet more. The Explore MAX features a wide-open aft deck, ideal for watersports compared to typical pontoons. Additionally, BRP LinQ mounts make it easy to install accessories, like a cooler or a gear box. The hidden, low-profile Rotax S150 outboard that makes the MAX design possible also gets a companion, creating a 300 hp duo that adds nearly 15 mph to top-end performance. Twin engines and digital power steering also make joystick piloting possible, taking the stress out of close-quarters ­maneuvering.

While the deck-outboard combo aft is a game-changer, it’s the Explore’s sleek perimeter design that first draws the eye. Formed from a near-seamless collection of formed aluminum panels, it’s automotive-­inspired and thoroughly modern. Individual panels are removable in the unlikely event of damage. A top rail cap includes LinQ Lite mounts ready for everything from fenders to stemware. The overhead Sport Bimini flows from the design and incorporates a ­sturdy, gas-assisted Bimini top rated for up to 55 mph. Belowdecks, Manitou’s patented V-Toon Technology drops the center tube to create deadrise, mimicking the feel of a V-hull.

Accommodations complete the boat’s modern aesthetic. The Switchback layout pairs forward couches with parallel lounges aft that feature adjustable backrests fore and aft. Recline them back for forward-facing comfort, or pivot forward to switch the focus to a more social setting or to look out onto the water and the MAX Deck. A pair of Manitou’s ­Trifold Benches, concealed in the middle of each aft couch, offers additional three-in-one functionality by converting from seating to a dinette table, or pivoting entirely out of the way to create two facing seats with feet-on-the-floor legroom. 

Discretely tucked within the inwales are speakers and cup holders. A sleek, minimalist helm includes a standard 12-inch Garmin display featuring ­Garmin Boat Switch digital switching, a Fusion stereo head unit and a wireless ­charging cubby.

High Points

• Three available color combos.
• Fusion RA-670 audio with six speakers, a subwoofer and an eight-channel amp.
• Standard composite decking, powder-coated tubes, woven flooring, lit center-tube storage and USB charging.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 150 hp Rotax S outboards
• Drive/Props: Outboard/Rotax Viper 14.5″ x 21″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 50 gal.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2024 Manitou Explore 24 MAX appeared first on Boating Mag.

Accessible/Skiff: Veer V13

The Veer V13  won first because we found it to be affordable for a segment of society not typically served by boatbuilders. It’s also offered colors that appeal to a younger, non-traditional demographic. We believe both of these features are great for the future of boating by helping to introduce new participants to the activity and lifestyle that is boating. Finally, we found the Veer V13 functional and safe, and it’s offered with your choice of internal combustion or electric outboard power.

Watersports: Montara Surf Boss 2.0

The Montara Surf Boss 2.0 is one the most innovative boats we have ever tested, seamlessly blending the very best of a V-drive towboat with the attributes of a pontoon boat. There’s more: Innovation alone isn’t enough. To win a category, the boat must be built to a high standard and meet ABYC standards, as well as the discerning eye of our editors, each of whom possesses decades of experience evaluating boats for a living. The Montara Surf Boss 2.0 ticked all these boxes.

Runabout: Four Winns H2e

First, this is an exceptionally well-done bowrider. The interior is luxurious, its construction is excellent and its appearance is at once fresh and classic. Performance-wise, it delivered superior speed, handling and ride quality. Finally, this Four Winns H2e bowrider is powered by an electric outboard. It gives boat buyers the choice of electric or internal combustion propulsion with the confidence of a longstanding and well-known—iconic, really—boatbuilder.

Center-Console: Formula 387

Our team tests over 100 boats per year, many of them center-console models. We selected the Formula 387 for its great ride and top-notch construction and pristine finish. But Formula has long maintained those bars high. What really wowed us was that Formula produced two distinct variants of the same boat for center-console buyers—a sport version and a fishing version. Putting a finer point on it, these two variants serve different missions with very little compromise between them.

Deckboat: Tahoe T21

Why did this Tahoe win? First, we found it to be priced lower than similar-size boats. But, a low price alone doesn’t win awards. No less than two members of our Tech Team stated that the Tahoe T21 is equivalent (if not superior) in ride, performance, construction and equipment to other similar boats. A review of our boat-test archive backs those assertions. As such, the T21 represents an outstanding buying experience delivering a higher-quality, higher-performing boat for a lower price than others in its category.

Pontoon: Manitou 24 Explore MAX

The Manitou 24 Explore MAX takes pontoon-boat ownership to another place. Powered by twin 150 hp Rotax S outboards (which themselves won our Marine Power Innovation award last year), which live under the expansive MAX deck aft, this ’toon offers sporty performance and the convenience of a joystick for docking control. But most importantly, the wide-open MAX deck provides pontoon buyers the ability to choose wide-open access to the water, as well as wide-open views.

The post Boat of the Year Category Winners 2023 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Manitou’s Explore 24 represents a cool advancement in design, construction and appearance. Futuristic perimeter fencing gives a clean, automotive look. Integrated LED docking and navigation lights blend into the curved bow walls. Made from individual panels that are removable and replaceable, all the wiring and plumbing for the boat is hidden inside the exterior walls. The top rail features exclusive BRP LinQ attachment points to install accessories, such as fender clips, cup holders and wineglass ­holders.

With Mercury’s Verado 250, we hit 47 mph and raced to 30 mph in 5.8 seconds. Best economy comes at 13 mph, where we recorded 3.8 mpg. Triple pontoons with full-length lifting strakes and an underdeck spray shield combine for stellar performance and rough-water ­capability.

The Explore 24’s furniture features rectangular cushions that look firm, but feel plush and accommodating. With long lounges featuring easy-opening storage, the bow can comfortably handle several riders per side. The aft seats reverse, allowing guests to face forward or aft. Manitou’s Trifold Bench aft features facing seats with a flip-out table, or it can reverse to be a filler cushion for lounging. Seat bases offer a recessed toe kick.

The pilot and navigator sit in matching high-back chairs behind oversize consoles with low-profile windscreens. The port console features a large locking glove box with USB charging inside. The captain’s console features a phone cubby with an optional wireless charging pad, a Fusion RA-210 sound system powering four 6-inch speakers, a Garmin 9-inch digital-control center graph, and digital switches for all boat functions. A 12-foot Sport ­Bimini features a transparent plexi panel that looks solid from the outside and remains rigid at up to 55 mph when fully deployed. It also houses a storage net underneath the top, and lights for navigation and anchoring above. The decking on the ­Explore and Cruise models is composite, so there’s no wood to worry about. Options include lighted center-tube storage, twin batteries with a Smart Switch, and a ­dinette table.

High Points

• Standard Sport Bimini is rated to 55 mph.
• Redesigned helm has four focused sections: audio,  vessel monitoring, switching and charging.
• Trifold Bench folds from a seat to a table or folds away to create more space.

How We Tested

• Engine: Mercury Verado FourStroke 250 hp
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 14.5″ x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 32 gal. Crew Weight: 260 lb.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2024 Manitou Explore 24 appeared first on Boating Mag.

The Manitou Explore’s trademark MAX Deck returns for 2024—with 2 feet more. The Explore MAX features a wide-open aft deck, ideal for watersports compared to typical pontoons. Additionally, BRP LinQ mounts make it easy to install accessories, like a cooler or a gear box. The hidden, low-profile Rotax S150 outboard that makes the MAX design possible also gets a companion, creating a 300 hp duo that adds nearly 15 mph to top-end performance. Twin engines and digital power steering also make joystick piloting possible, taking the stress out of close-quarters ­maneuvering.

While the deck-outboard combo aft is a game-changer, it’s the Explore’s sleek perimeter design that first draws the eye. Formed from a near-seamless collection of formed aluminum panels, it’s automotive-­inspired and thoroughly modern. Individual panels are removable in the unlikely event of damage. A top rail cap includes LinQ Lite mounts ready for everything from fenders to stemware. The overhead Sport Bimini flows from the design and incorporates a ­sturdy, gas-assisted Bimini top rated for up to 55 mph. Belowdecks, Manitou’s patented V-Toon Technology drops the center tube to create deadrise, mimicking the feel of a V-hull.

Accommodations complete the boat’s modern aesthetic. The Switchback layout pairs forward couches with parallel lounges aft that feature adjustable backrests fore and aft. Recline them back for forward-facing comfort, or pivot forward to switch the focus to a more social setting or to look out onto the water and the MAX Deck. A pair of Manitou’s ­Trifold Benches, concealed in the middle of each aft couch, offers additional three-in-one functionality by converting from seating to a dinette table, or pivoting entirely out of the way to create two facing seats with feet-on-the-floor legroom. 

Discretely tucked within the inwales are speakers and cup holders. A sleek, minimalist helm includes a standard 12-inch Garmin display featuring ­Garmin Boat Switch digital switching, a Fusion stereo head unit and a wireless ­charging cubby.

High Points

• Three available color combos.
• Fusion RA-670 audio with six speakers, a subwoofer and an eight-channel amp.
• Standard composite decking, powder-coated tubes, woven flooring, lit center-tube storage and USB charging.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 150 hp Rotax S outboards
• Drive/Props: Outboard/Rotax Viper 14.5″ x 21″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 50 gal.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2024 Manitou Explore 24 MAX appeared first on Boating Mag.