Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Hi all - just joined and looking forward to buying our first pontoon. Which leads me to our first question... Our local dealer has a 2019 Manitou 22 Oasis VP. The features are nice - almost everything we're looking for. The tube diameters are 23/27/23. We're reading everywhere that a 23" tube is not as desirable as a 25 or more diameter. Does the 27" center tube make that a moot point? Should we be looking at a 25/27/25 config?

I don't think they offer the 25 on anything smaller than 23' long?
Looks like a sweet setup. Wouldn't get hung up on it. The 25" toons are an upgrade on a pontoon but a tritoon is a bit different. That v-hull setup even more so....they probably know what they're doing.

If you want a pontoon that handles like a v hull then the Manitou vtoon is the best at it. They have been using 23" outer pontoons in the configuration for a long time.

Like the others are saying, you're fine with the 23/27/23 configuration. That let's the boat lean in more to the inside of the turn than if all pontoons were the same size (or closer). It does help it perform a little more like a V hull, rather than staying very flat like most other pontoons/tritoons do when turning.

Thanks for the replies! Another question - some pontoons have an extended deck (bow and stern) outside the rails. Some don't. Pros and cons of each?

My new boat has a front deck that's about 15" and a rear that's just over 2'. I personally like having the front it's enough to get on the boat from either side. My floor plan doesn't have side gates. Pretty much the same for the rear deck it allows people to load from either side and is great for the kids swimming and climbing on the tube etc. The rear deck is where I wish I had ordered vs buying off the floor. The brand I have "Tahoe/Avalon" will add an additional 2' of rear deck so 4' total for $700 when building the boat. That would be awesome for stowing the tube while underway and also great for the kids swimming fishing etc. We like to keep the kids and their friends out of the fence when they are in and out of the water constantly with soaking wet life jackets!

Many of the old pontoons had very large front decks. It helped keep too much weight off the bow since they had small diameter pontoons. My old custom rebuild had a 3' front deck and I added a 2' rear. It was great for fishing off all 4 corners when we did that.

I LOVE our extended swim platform. Having the middle tube extended so that there's no cutout is even better. Bow platforms are nice but not as essential for me. I do wish I had 6 more inches (on the bow) but lack of a full platform wouldn't be a deal breaker.

Uses for the back platform: casting, trolling, entering and exiting the water, landing fish, cleaning fish, putting on skis, easy access to the dock.

J

The Manitou with the 23" side toons are lighter. The bottom of the toons on the 23" and 25" are the same distance above the bottom of the center larger toon. They put taller mounts between the deck and the toons on the 23"

Extra deck space is nice. My pontoon had more front deck and very little back deck, just the angled portion where the swim gate was. I could squeeze my fat ass between the ski bar and back seat to get to the other side though but you couldn't really hang out there. I liked being able to beach it and leave stuff like the cooler sitting on the front and being able to walrus flop up on it when pushing off. I was thinking about putting seat bases for fishing chairs on it but barely fished out of it....mostly it's a dog ferry to the islands.

My tritoon has less front deck but enough back deck you can walk back and forth. I like that because it makes anchoring to either side and tying off at the dock easier, and the back lines up with our step out from the dock. Can't fit the cooler on the front deck now or it hangs off some unless the gate is left open which we don't do because the dogs will jump up there sandy as hell when you go get something. Plus it's hard not to want to grab the top of the gate jumping up on it which will eventually bend the hinges. Couple of feet taking out the front and back of the playpen in exchange for deck space, I don't think you'd ever miss it unless you were in an 18 or 20 foot boat.

I sure appreciate your input and points of view on this. We're going to look at the Manitou tomorrow so fingers crossed...

A little late to the discussion but here it goes...
I have a 2007 Manitou Osprey Pro. it comes in the 23-27-23 configuration. The boat handles like a dream, rides smoothly over wakes (I can actually jump my own wake!), and leans into turns. Even in waves coming directly from the sides I don't rock too much.

One thing my model does not have is a back gate. (I've got fishing chairs on all four corners). Wish I had the back gate for rafting up as both my ladders are on the sides. Back then they did the versatrack ladders which pivot up and slide to one side of the gate for stowage. I've got a 4 step on one side and a five step on the other. Looked a little flakey at first but I don't even see the ladder anymore when I'm driving. And they both work great.