Looking to buy my first pontoon

[Leisure Kraft]

{With the 150HP+ engines you'd want the hydraulic steering, btw.}

Go with power assist on it too. A little more money, but very well worth it. One finger steering!

Leisure Kraft, ever think of a building full windsheild model? I'm promoting one for Manitou, for 2014. I see Playcraft is building them now. Premeir has been doing a good job on the S-Series, until this year, the boat is flat out ugly! Do you mount Suzuki outboards exclusively? How about twin outboards, willing? Just wondering!
Bryan

Don't believe we've ever had a full-windshield version yet. I'll talk to the guys and see what they think.

We do Suzuki 4-strokes pretty much but occasionally a Tohatsu-Nissan at the low end and sometimes a Honda or two.

Pretty sure they'd do the twin outboard setup for you--we design and make the transoms here. You'd need a tri-toon for that given the weight.

[ScottE]

Been a while since I've posted here. Been working on getting my credit score higher. Doing well so far. Should have a 700 within the next few months. So, I'm looking at pontoons again.

I'm sorta glad the credit issues earlier this year prohibited my purchase as I was looking at a Sylvan with two RPT tubes. Now I'm reading about people constantly having their tubes crack and leak, and others having bad luck getting warranty issues resolved in a timely fashion. So I'm glad I'm not having these problems now.

I'm now looking at a Manitou 25 X-Plode with 300hp outboard. It's seems the Manitou is well respected around here and is considered by some to be the best high performance pontoon out there. I'm looking for great handling, control, and speeds into the 40+ mph range.

I won't be making my purchase until the boatshow in Jan 2013 (I know, it's a ways out, sorry, I'm stoked, and like to do my research). Anyone here have any positive or negative advice regarding the Manitou 25 X-Plode?

[SCbarber]

Tubes just do not "crack or leak" unless you abuse your boat.

[JohnO]

I'm now looking at a Manitou 25 X-Plode with 300hp outboard. It's seems the Manitou is well respected around here and is considered by some to be the best high performance pontoon out there. I'm looking for great handling, control, and speeds into the 40+ mph range.

I won't be making my purchase until the boatshow in Jan 2013 (I know, it's a ways out, sorry, I'm stoked, and like to do my research). Anyone here have any positive or negative advice regarding the Manitou 25 X-Plode?

The x-plode is based on the same hull that I have (the SHP). So your performance would be about the same (they've made some improvements over the last 6 years though so you should tun even better)

I get 39.63 GPS with my 24' Osprey Pro with a 175HP Yamaha. (I'll break 40 yet!!). You should be pushing 50 or over with a 300!

The boat turns on a dime. I constantly get remarks and dropped jaws when I'm pulling tubes or something and doing donuts.

While I'm no longer the fastest pontoon on my lake (Chappy is faster than I am) I am still the best handling .

I think you'll be pretty pleased with it.

[GregF]

Tubes just do not "crack or leak" unless you abuse your boat.

There must be a lot of boat abusing people around then.

[ScottE]

I'm now looking at a Manitou 25 X-Plode with 300hp outboard. It's seems the Manitou is well respected around here and is considered by some to be the best high performance pontoon out there. I'm looking for great handling, control, and speeds into the 40+ mph range.

I won't be making my purchase until the boatshow in Jan 2013 (I know, it's a ways out, sorry, I'm stoked, and like to do my research). Anyone here have any positive or negative advice regarding the Manitou 25 X-Plode?

The x-plode is based on the same hull that I have (the SHP). So your performance would be about the same (they've made some improvements over the last 6 years though so you should tun even better)

I get 39.63 GPS with my 24' Osprey Pro with a 175HP Yamaha. (I'll break 40 yet!!). You should be pushing 50 or over with a 300!

The boat turns on a dime. I constantly get remarks and dropped jaws when I'm pulling tubes or something and doing donuts.

While I'm no longer the fastest pontoon on my lake (Chappy is faster than I am) I am still the best handling .

I think you'll be pretty pleased with it.

Oh thanks for the info - I always like to get feedback from the real people using them versus a salesman. Can't wait for January Boatshow!

Have you ever had to have any warranty work done to yours - if so, how was the experience?

[ScottE]

Tubes just do not "crack or leak" unless you abuse your boat.

Do a search on this forum for "Sylvan RPT". Some of these people had their cracks/leaks fixed, only to have them crack/leak again. One person even claimed he "babied" it and it still cracked.

I'm looking for high performance. Not sure how you "baby" high performance. So I think I need to stay away from Sylvan.

Also talked to someone with a Sylvan that said water was getting up underneath the carpet in the middle of the pontoon and soaking the floor. While getting the carpet wet is fine, it seems like an annoyance and a flaw if that is happening. They had to put a bead of culking underneath the deck to stop it from happening.

[GregF]

Every joint and penetration in a plywood deck should be sealed and the decking should be bedded in caulk over the stringers. That is how my wood deck has survived 6200 hours running over 22 years in salt water.

[Bryden24shp]

For the money (about $850.00) have them add the power assist unit onto the hydrauilic steering. Especially if your wife or kids will be driving. 1 finger steering, I kid you not! Its great!

[ScottE]

For the money (about $850.00) have them add the power assist unit onto the hydrauilic steering. Especially if your wife or kids will be driving. 1 finger steering, I kid you not! Its great!

From my understanding the SHP package on an X-Plode includes hydraullic steering with power assist - according to the Manitou web site. Yes, I do want 1 finger steering.

[tms0425]

For the money (about $850.00) have them add the power assist unit onto the hydrauilic steering. Especially if your wife or kids will be driving. 1 finger steering, I kid you not! Its great!

From my understanding the SHP package on an X-Plode includes hydraullic steering with power assist - according to the Manitou web site. Yes, I do want 1 finger steering.

Yes, power assist is part of SHP. The Xplode 23 I drove last weekend had it and it was fabulous. No going back after that.

[JohnO]

Oh thanks for the info - I always like to get feedback from the real people using them versus a salesman. Can't wait for January Boatshow!

Have you ever had to have any warranty work done to yours - if so, how was the experience?

Never had warranty work done. The boat's been pretty good. Had some late add ons done by Casey's Cove (my dealer) and they were awesome with it.

If you go Manitou I'd also recommend the versatrack ladders. They look kind of funny while running but you never have to worry about where to store the ladder and the five step version makes it easy for even people with bad knees to get on board. (There's a picture of them in the 2012 brochure under the Experience menu on http://www.manitouboats.com)

[ScottE]

Oh thanks for the info - I always like to get feedback from the real people using them versus a salesman. Can't wait for January Boatshow!

Have you ever had to have any warranty work done to yours - if so, how was the experience?

Never had warranty work done. The boat's been pretty good. Had some late add ons done by Casey's Cove (my dealer) and they were awesome with it.

If you go Manitou I'd also recommend the versatrack ladders. They look kind of funny while running but you never have to worry about where to store the ladder and the five step version makes it easy for even people with bad knees to get on board. (There's a picture of them in the 2012 brochure under the Experience menu on http://www.manitouboats.com)

Well I guess never having to have warranty work done is a good thing.

Thanks for the suggestion on the ladder. I've seen those before. Looks pretty cool.

[Bamaman]

Scott: Like Dave Ramsey says, "Eat beans and rice, then rice and beans."

A $4300 credit card bill is not that much in this modern day time. My last zip code in Atlanta was holding an average $6500 balance for every adult person. It just costs a bunch to live in this day and time.

I put some high dollar expenses like car and boat insurance on a credit card that pays me back with travel miles. I do pay it off each month, however.

Just keep on plugging away.

[fwood]

I think the Power Assist steering is standard with the 300 hp motor. I have it on my Manitou with the Etec 250 HO and it is great. Was a standard with the 250 also. The Manitou is a great handling boat and I've not had any issues or breakages on the boat. I did have a seam on one of my seat cushions split. I do not have any Manitou dealers close to me; contacted Manitou, sent them a picture. They are sending me a new complete seat cushion. Works very well for me. Have not had anything loosen up, no pontoon issues, nothing, nada. Looked at the Explode but bought the Oasis SHP for the loungers, better fit for our boating. Still have the high performance with the floating living room.
Our boat will run 46 mph (GPS) full of fuel, gear and 6 adults and handles like a ski boat. 25 is a really big pontoon (IMO) but you should be able to get about the same as our boat with the 300 I would think, maybe a little better w the Explode.
We also have the side ladder mentioned before, it is great. If not standard, get the center toon storage.