Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

So Ive narrowed my new toon hunt down to 2 dealers and 2 brands. Manitou and South Bay.

What are your thoughts on these brands? Ive heard mixed reviews on SB, but very little on Manitou.

Thanks

From what i've seen and read, both are well made and would be worthy purchases. The Manitou should handle better, I've seen a few of them on our lake and they turn really well and have good speed. Haven't seen any SB's, but they make a good boat.

Think Manitou has the SHP package available. Have heard they handle really nice. Might be able to PM Bryden he has one, and there are not many props he has not tried on his, so may get some good info there. At least you have it narrowed to only two. Probably could not make a wrong decision between the two.
doc

South Bay seems like a quality product to me. I've seen a few in the showroom.

Manitou is consistently on the JD Power & Associates best quality list so I'm sure you can't go wrong there either. The one thing that confused me about the Manitou (X-Plode in particular) is that their tri-toon sport package, SHP, adds strakes to the outside of the outer tubes. Everything I've seen and heard suggests this is exactly what you don't want because it doesn't allow banking into the turns. Boat quality is probably top notch though.

Thanks everyone for the info

I am looking at the duel toon style, I cant afford the tri toons they both have.
I did see Manitou on JD Power list, and SB hasnt scored as well. I just dont know how much stock I should put into those studies....I mean yes, its a great guide to go by but i always feel more comfortable with user reviews also. And those I am having a hard time finding

We just went through this two years ago. We bought a 20" Manitou Oasis with a 90 e-tec - couldn't have been happier. The boat is built well, never an issue and did exactly what it's designed to do. We put a 100 hrs on the boat, no problems with engine or boat. Just traded for a 24" Manitou Encore SHP with a 250 e-tec. We needed something that handled better and went faster kids doing more water sports. To give you an idea, we test drove a Moomba and then the Manitou. What little bit you give up with the Manitou from a water sports standpoint - wake surfing and hard core wake boarder, you make up gain a 1000 fold in practicality with the Manitou. As you can see, I'm a big Manitou fan, several great boats out there - my experience the dealer is or should be a big part of the overall deal. Regardless of what direction you go, I would suggest the biggest motor your boat and budget can handle - no one ever says I think I bought to much power

This is what they are offering me...

2010 South Bay 20 ft 500 series with Mercury 50 hsp 4 stroke 22k

2010 Manitou 20 ft Oasis with Evinrude 70 (or 75 hsp) 2 stroke 25k

I am thinking of going the Manitou route because I think the 2 stroke would be easier maintance for me on a daily basis as well when it comes to winterization. But I have a feeling its coming down to who will give me a better deal with price and financing.

timturnerrc51 wrote:We just went through this two years ago. We bought a 20" Manitou Oasis with a 90 e-tec - couldn't have been happier. The boat is built well, never an issue and did exactly what it's designed to do. We put a 100 hrs on the boat, no problems with engine or boat. Just traded for a 24" Manitou Encore SHP with a 250 e-tec. We needed something that handled better and went faster kids doing more water sports. To give you an idea, we test drove a Moomba and then the Manitou. What little bit you give up with the Manitou from a water sports standpoint - wake surfing and hard core wake boarder, you make up gain a 1000 fold in practicality with the Manitou. As you can see, I'm a big Manitou fan, several great boats out there - my experience the dealer is or should be a big part of the overall deal. Regardless of what direction you go, I would suggest the biggest motor your boat and budget can handle - no one ever says I think I bought to much power

Thanks so much for that review!!!

I am looking for cruising rather than watersports. But I am all about putting more power on it....well, that my bank account will allow

Glad it helps - really can't recommend Manitou or the SHP too much. I won't go as far to say the Manitou turns as sharp as the Moomba like the promo info would lead you to believe, but will tell you at 30+ MPH when you turn you will need to brace yourself because it will bank. You won't get this handling characteristic in the bi-toon, it tends to push to the outside when you turn hard. Good luck

24' Manitou Osprey Prp SHP 175 HP Yamaha VMAX 2 cycle motor. It's their fishing toon.

Most of the responses I get from my guests is WOW! As the previous poster said, handles like a dream. I can do donuts and jump my own wake. Top speed is about 37.7MPH GPS running lite (36.5 loaded).

Boat quality has been exceptional. Boat is remarkably plush and comfortable

I'd highly recommend getting the versa track ladder. (get one with 5 steps). These ride in a track attached outside the fence and slide back into the gateway and fold down into the water when in use. Never lose a ladder or worry about it being in the way again.

I'd also go for the double bimini. Love mine.

South Bay owner here, so I thought I would chime in. I bought a 2007 South Bay earlier this year. I was actually looking for a Bennington or a Manitou, but I was looking at used rather than new so the deal I stumbled into dictated the purchase. I can tell you that I have called South Bay a few times to get their thoughts on some things and they have been amazing to work with as a company. I bought the boat from a dealer that is not a South Bay dealer so I have gone directly to the company with some questions. Absolutely amazing company in my opinion. Everyone I have talked to there knows their products and is VERY customer-focused in my experience.

I don't think you can go wrong with either brand. I do love the boat, and I'm sure I would have also been impressed with the Manitou or the Bennington if I had found the better deal on either of those brands.

Good luck with the purchase.