The Mission of the 25 SES

Manitou's 25 SES models are designed for entertaining pure and simple. The VP model is for the more sedate crowd, but it can still pull a water skier, and the SHP packs a 300-hp engine and should be one of the fastest toons on the lake. Manitou also makes a "Saltwater Package" for these two toons which are appropriate for the ICW and other protected saltwater waterways.



This 25 SES VP appears to be easily pulling a water skier with no more than a 150-hp engine.

Distinguishing Features

●Four Entertainment Modules. For 2013 Manitou has introduced four new modules that are each designed for specific types of entertaining. Choose one or all.

●Blue Light Special. There are few things cooler on a boat at night than blue lights strategically placed around the boat both inside and out. Megayachts have been using blue lights -- which do not harm night vision -- for years. Now they are available on Manitou toons.

●Patented V-Toon Design. Manitou's toon configuration has a 27" center toon and outboard 23" toons with lifting strakes that enhance top-end performance and hole-shot speeds.

●Warranty. Manitou has a limited lifetime warranty on the deck, pontoons, motor mounts, boat undercarriage structure, fence assemblies and Bimini top frames. It has a 5-year limited warranty on vinyl upholstery, Bimini top fabric, carpet, and Aqualon and Sunbrella mooring covers. It has a 3-year warranty on all other components, stem to stern.

●Well-Equipped as Standard. The 25 SES has a long list of standard equipment, and everything that is necessary for genteel cruising right out of the box.

●Prestige. Manitou is an up-market brand with a sterling reputation.



Here we see the "Flip" layout with its aft section being used as a large sun pad for two.

Major Features

●Premium Helm Seat. The boat comes standard with a helm seat that has a recliner with arm rests. It slides fore and aft.

●Special Nose Cones. These anti-spray cones have integrated splash fins to throw water down and out.

●Underdeck Skin. This aluminum underdeck skin protects the plywood laminate, but more importantly improves high-speed performance by providing a smooth surface rather than one with exposed under carriage structures which cause drag.

●Special Seat Hinges. When seats are raised it is usually because someone wants to put something in or take something out of the storage bin. If there is no seat retention device, one hand must be used to hold up the seat while the other roots around in the bin. Manitou employs on every seat special hinges that lock it in the open position so both hands can be devoted to the task.

●Quality Materials. Manitou uses marine-grade vinyls and fabrics from the leading manufactures, such as Spradling vinyl, Shaw carpeting, and Surelast Bimini fabric.



A single Bimini top comes standard and the double Bimini is optional. We recommend the double for safe sun.

●Bimini Top with Boot. Aluminum frames hold up the standard Bimini and stainless steel is available as an option. A double Bimini is also available as an option.

●Docking Lights. Because the 25 SES is designed for entertaining, and the coolest time to do that is at night, the boat comes standard with docking lights.

●Privacy Curtain. The 25 comes standard with a privacy station which is a curtain that extends up. An optional portable toilet is available.

●Two Different Tri-Toon Hull Configurations. Manitou knows that some customers want to go really fast and tow boarders while others just want a good turn of speed. VP (up to 150-hp) and SHP (up to 300-hp) three-toon configurations are available.

New Optional Layouts on the Manitou 25 SES



This is the 25 SES "Flip" layout which features two facing bench seats in the stern with a table in between. This is comfortable seating for dinner, playing cards, or just socializing. The backrest of the aft seat flips forward turning this whole area into a large, aft facing sun pad.

In 2012, the most popular layout for the 25 SES was the "Flip" shown above. New for 2013, are four modules that allow a number of different layouts which are shown below--

#1. SES Bench



Need as much seating as possible? Then the SES Bench floor plan has everything needed to comfortably seat the whole crew. In fact they can move around because the USCG maximum capacity for the 25 SES is 13 people. As can be seen, this layout can easily seat 17 adults.



Aft bench seat shown here should be a popular place both at anchor and under way.



With the backrest folded down there is now a large, somewhat private sun pad astern.

#2. SES Bar



The SES Bar Floor plan offers multiple spaces for friends and family to gather around, which includes built in barstools and cup holders.



This CAD image shows that none of the 13-max capacity seating is sacrificed for the bar. It will probably be the most popular venue on the boat.

#3. SES Galley



The full galley module can be seen here on the port side. Again the max seating permitted by the USCG for these vessels is less than the actual capacity given the space available



Note the built-in gas grill, the refrigerator, the sink with pressure water and the cabinet and drawer below.

#4. SES Entertainer



There is no mistaking the purpose of the SES Entertainer. It has a full galley to port and island bar to starboard and plenty of room to boogie.



This CAD drawing shows the grill over the fridge and the sink over the drawers and cabinet. Note the four stools around the raised, banana-shaped bar.

Patented Tri-Toon Design

The big difference in Manitou's system and other three-toon designs is created by the center tube which is 5-1/4" lower than the outboard tubes. According to Manitou, this is what gives the boat what it calls its "exceptional sportboat-like handling" characteristics. The company says it is able to turn sharply and to ride on the aft 35-40% of the toons when going at high speed. We have not tested the boat.

Manitou's patent covers the depth of the center hull which is a critical aspect of the design and it is this which allows the boat to turn sharply and lean into the turns just like a fiberglass monohull, according to the builder.

Advantage. While many pontoon boat builders have their own patented wrinkle on tube design or plates welded onto them, we are able to say based on past testing that this design does actually make turning and maneuvering at speed easier than it normally is with three toons of the same depth.

Triple toons, no matter the brand, can go much faster than twin toons which usually plow along and can not plane with any efficiency. Three toons also stabilize the deck at speed keeping it from racking in a seaway. 70% of the boats sold by Manitou have three toons.

V-Toon Design

Lifting Strake Design. Lifting strakes are one of the few places where pontoon boat builders can easily differentiate their products. Manitou does not use reverse angles which it says can cause pounding, but rather uses positive angle strakes to provide lift. Further, it puts them on the outside of it its tubes as well as on the inside. The company says that improves performance.



The SHP nose cones are made of a thicker gauge aluminum to withstand the speeds that a 250-hp engine can create. Note the wide lifting strakes in orange on all three tubes.



The VP model has lifting strakes just on the center tube and the nose cones are of conventional thickness.

Sport Handling Package (SHP) Toon Configuration. Manitou offers two configurations for its three-toon, V-Toon concept: 1) SHP that will handle outboard engines up to 250-hp on the 23 Oasis SR, or, 2) the VP (Value Performance) design that handles up to 150-hp on the 23.

The SHP has wide, positive angle lifting strakes on both sides of all three tubes for greater lift and faster hole-shot speeds. These strakes give the boat more stability at high speeds. It also has power assist hydraulic steering, and what the company calls "Barracuda" nose cones. Because the boat can go faster the aluminum is thicker and constructed slightly differently to handle increased stress.

Value Performance (VP) Toon Configuration. The VP features many of the same V-toon hull characteristics of the SHP. The VP is simply designed for boaters who operate at less aggressive speeds and lower horsepower. SeaStar hydraulic steering is standard, lifting strakes are only used on the center toon, and the nose cones are conventional. Maximum horsepower on the 23 Oasis SR with the VP toons is 150-hp.

Optional Equipment for the 25 SES Toons

Manitou has a laundry list of options which allows owners to customize their new toon with amenities that many people may not want, but some do. All of these features will enhance the boat for some owners and some of them will absolutely blow guests away. Take a look--



Manitou offers a hydraulic lift for the helm chair. It might seem mundane, but there is nothing worse than having a helm seat that is too high or too low for the skipper.



Here are some of the blue lights we mentioned above. They are courtesy lights for the most part, but some are designed just to be cool.



Just to make sure that no one puts their drink in the wrong place, all drink holders can be illuminated with a blue light.



Blue lights don't show up in the day light, but this picture taken at dusk shows hints of them on the starboard toon. Just think how cool this will look when it's dark?



Consumers don't have to buy the complete galley module to get a refrigerator. One comes as a stand-alone option.



One of the most important options of all is for people using a Manitou in saltwater -- it is the "Saltwater Package." Local dealers will explain the details.

Pricing

Base pricing on the 25 SES starts at $35,925 for the VP model and $40,363 for the SHP model. Add to these figures the outboard engine chosen. Manitou will fit its boats for any brand the customer selects. The normal freight and prep charges are extra as are the options.

Observations

Manitou is a top-of-the-line brand and if it were in the car business it would be right up there with Mercedes, Lexus and the others. Fitting out a pontoon boat for entertaining with some of the modules and options mentioned above can create a remarkable lake or saltwater venue for a fraction of the cost of buying a large cruiser that hold the same number of people, but probably in less comfort.

Every boat type has its forte, and we think Manitou has done a good job of offering consumers some amenities that greatly add to the utility of pontoon boats.