Manitou 25 SES Flip SHP (2015-)

Brief Summary

The Manitou 25 SES Flip SHP is engineered to foster an environment appropriate for both high-quality entertaining and a variety of watersports. To that end, the builder offers the versatility of five different floor plans to satisfy any owners’ requirements and tastes. She’s a premium quality boat with a host of standard features.

Key Features

• Aluminum Bimini top and boot
• Hard side 24 can cooler
• Dinette Table
• Rear entry wide 4-step ladder
• Extended Starboard Chaise
• Comfort Touch marine vinyl on furniture
• Ski tow bar
• AM/FM Polk Bluetooth radio with 6 Jensen speakers
• Courtesy LED light
• Powder coated rub rail

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	26' 4'' / 8.03 m
Beam	8' 6'' 2.59 m
Dry Weight	3,420 lbs. 1,551 kg
Tested Weight	4,025 lbs. 1,826 kg
Draft	14'' 0.36 m
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Fuel Capacity	44 gal. 167 L
Water Capacity	N/A
Total Weight	4,025 lbs. 1,826 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	3.3 sec
0 to 30	7.5 sec
Ratio	N/A
Props	Rebel 19
Load	2 persons, 79/100 fuel, no water, 25 lbs. of gear
Climate	72 deg., 76 humid.; wind: 0-5 mph; seas: calm

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 300-hp Evinrude E-TEC G2
Std. Power	1 x 300-hp Evinrude E-TEC G2
Opt. Power	Not Available

Captain's Report

Mission Statement

The Manitou 25 SES Flip SHP is engineered to foster an environment appropriate for both high-quality entertaining and a variety of watersports. To that end, the builder offers the versatility of five different floor plans to satisfy any owners’ requirements and tastes. She’s a premium quality boat with a host of standard features.

Distinguishing Features

• Powder Coated Rails and Walls. A distinguishing feature that others in class have not, or will not bother with. It adds a formidable layer of protection to the metal rails and fences that will resist corrosion and degradation.
• Five Different Floor Plans. Choose from a floor plan that focuses on lounging, entertaining, creating a waterfront bar, a galley or just maximizing seating.
• SHP Hull. SHP stands for Sport Handling Package and it combines three tubes, lifting strakes to both sides of all, reinforced nose cones and splash fins. While virtually all pontoon boat builders offer tri-toons, the secret of Manitou's design is that the center toon is larger and deeper, thus making the boat lean into turns rather than staying flat or leaning out.
• Manitou Smart Screen. This touchscreen display allows easy monitoring of different aspects of the boat’s systems. Choose from controlling the electrical components, viewing the operational parameters, or even enhanced control of the onboard stereo.
• Interior Blue Accent Lighting. Adds a bit of class after the sun goes down.
• Large Working Bow Deck. For some reason many pontoon boats do not have a foredeck, making it virtually impossible to tie lines off to cleats and easily anchor. Manitou does not make that mistake with the 25 SES Flip SHP. An added benefit is that this deck becomes a delightful diving platform for swimmers.
• Varying Floor Plans. Let’s start our report by looking at the various floor plans available for this same boat, the 25 SES. Five floor plans are available, each with its own features and amenities -- from full setup bars and galleys to lounging in luxury. Let’s take a look at them.

1. Bench Floor Plan

Here is a plan for maximizing seating by having couches in all four areas of the boat. The bow is represented with a pair of opposing couches and the stern takes the port lounge and accompanies it with an L-shaped seat to starboard. At the stern is the aft-facing bench.

2. Flip Seat Floor Plan

This is the plan that was on our test boat and it starts with the same two sizable couches at the bow. This opposing seating offers a good combination of comfort and an intimate conversational atmosphere.

To the stern, there are twin bench seats that easily convert to dual aft-facing chaise lounges by simply flipping the aft seatback forward to fill in the space between the two benches. For dining, go back to the twin benches and then add a filler table that has dedicated storage under the aft seat.

3. Bar Floor Plan

Here’s a floor plan for those that like to entertain on the water. Adding a bar to the boat makes her into a floating cocktail lounge, one that we’re quick to point out needs a designated driver if those good times are away from the dock.

The same access points for boarding are present, as are the forward couches. To the stern, Manitou went with a lounger to port and a bar to starboard, complete with stools and prep areas. An aft-facing couch adds another location to relax with a drink, even while the 25 SES is underway.

4. The Galley Floor Plan

Care to do a little cooking on the water? Who doesn’t? With the galley plan, it’s as easy as loading on the food and casting off the lines.

The bow still remains consistent with the opposing couches, and the stern replaces the portside lounger with a galley. To starboard is the L-shaped seating with an aft facing bench just behind.

5. The Entertainer Floor Plan

With this plan, we have the whole enchilada! The Entertainer floor plan has dedicated spots to relax both fore and aft, but we also have the advantage of the bar and the galley layouts at the stern. Now it’s like having a floating restaurant at one's disposal, only the clientele are all close friends.

Performance

With the new Evinrude E-TEC G2 300-hp outboard turning a 19 Rebel propeller, at wide-open throttle, we reached a top speed of 48.7 mph at 5500 rpm. At that speed, we were burning 21.5 gallons per hour giving us a range of 90 statute miles.

Hole Shot.

We had a time to plane of 3.3 seconds, reached 20 mph in 5.3 seconds, 30 mph in 7.5 seconds and continued accelerating through 40 mph in 12.2 seconds. Best cruise came in at 3500 rpm and 24.6 mph. That speed reduced the fuel burn to 8.25 gallons per hour, giving us a range of 118 miles while still maintaining a 10% reserve.

Handling

Much has been said about the handling of Manitou pontoons and with good reason. With its proprietary hulls, Manitou has created some of the best handling pontoon boats available.

The Design Secret.

The outer tubes measure 23” (.58 m) in diameter each, while the center tube is 27” (.69 m). The center tube is also 5” (.13 m) lower than the outer tubes and this creates a pivot point for the boat on which to lean into the turns. Positive angle lifting strakes run down the full length of both sides of all the tubes. This pushes water up and away from the tubes to enhance the turning ability and gets the boat up on plane quickly.

At the nose cone, we find an integrated splash fin which is much stronger than a welded fin. This will keep the topside and passengers dry while underway. The nose cones are also thicker than the rest of the tubes. Strength is further added to the nose cones by utilizing crimps put right into the metal.

Thanks to the triple tubes of the SHP performance package, the 25 SES Flip SHP leans up to 10-degrees into the turns, which keeps everyone on board comfortable. And she comes fully around in nearly 1 ½ boat lengths.

Features Inspection

Bow Seating

Stepping aboard the 25 SES Flip SHP is from either a center gate at the bow, a gate to the port side or via two additional access points from the stern. At the bow there is plenty of additional room for actually using the foredeck beyond boarding, as the rails are placed well aft. In this manner, the builder has provided not only a large platform from which to aid line handling and anchoring, but the bow also becomes a welcome launching point for swimmers, a place to relax while at anchor, or just a spot to sit and enjoy the sunset with feet dangling in the water.

At the bow are twin couches, the port side considerably longer than the starboard so as to accommodate the starboard mounted helm. Both couches are comfortable and we like to use the term “overstuffed” as one doesn’t just sit "on" them, but more "in" them. The plush cushioning effect literally wraps the couch around the body and once there we found it difficult to get the mind to move the body to get up.

The quality of the seats is impressive. Multi-toned soft-touch all-weather Diamonte marine-grade vinyl is used throughout with a bead of contrasting welting that draws the eye to the highlighted colors.

Storage is underneath the seats and there’s additional storage under the seatbacks, which is somewhat unusual. All compartments are accessed from articulating hinges that allow the cushions to remain open without having to be continually held.

Courtesy Lights

Manitou went all out to bring nighttime boating to the forefront of entertaining with the placement of the blue LED lighting throughout the boat. It completely changes the look and mood of the 25 SES Flip SHP, when the sun goes down.

Aft Seating

At the stern, on our test boat, Manitou created a flip bench seating group that converts from opposing seating to a chaise lounge area for two, measuring 66” x 54” (168 cm x 137 cm). The backrest of the forward-facing aft bench flips forward and down to fill in the space between the two benches and create the center pad to support the legs. A pedestal table can be inserted between the two benches to create a dining area or cocktail rendezvous.

Even with the aft seats being convertible, there’s still the available space under the forward seat backs and Manitou takes advantage of this by adding storage drawers and pull out bins. All components are stainless steel and the drawers are on ball-bearing slides.

Swim Platform

The glass and stainless steel ski tow bar at the stern and billet aluminum ski mirror at the helm reminds us that this luxury cruiser is prepared for some water sports, too! While it’s easy enough to jump into the water, getting aboard is via the four-step re-boarding ladder with its high, curved rails as handholds.

Helm

The 25 SES has what Manitou calls its "LX" helm -- and it stands for "luxury." That luxury clearly starts with the helm seat, which is frankly as plush as ones we see on much larger boats. It’s wonderfully soft, includes flip-down armrests, and of course, it swivels and slides.

At midships, Manitou has installed a flush-mount deck hatch that opens to a huge storage area, utilizing the 27” (68.6 cm) diameter center tube.

Pricing

Which Floor Plan?

Of course with five different floor plans available they all have different prices. We can’t really expect to have a full bar and galley for the same price as simple bench seats now. So let’s see what the floor plans will generate for starting prices. Bench $41,675 Flip $42,350 Bar $43,850 Galley $44,963 Entertainer $47,163 Now we have a starting point. Again, using the model we tested as the base, we will select the flip version. For those who want to go with a different model, now there’s a scale to adjust the prices accordingly. For now, we’re at the SHP with the Flip layout at $42,350.

The Engines

The engines range from 25-hp on up to 300-hp. Larger engines require the SHP tubes, smaller can get away with twin tubes. Engines are available from the five manufacturers and prices run from $5,363 to $24,063. Our test engine, the Evinrude E-TEC G2 300 costs $23,313 on the 25 SES Flip SHP.

Optional Extras

Now we start adding options that we think will be the most popular and see where it takes us. We’ll start with the Platinum Package that adds the LX raised helm, an upgraded steering wheel, in-dash fishfinder, a color GPS, a stainless Bimini top frame, stainless dock guard corner castings, a stainless gas cap, 6 Kicker speakers, tone on tone furniture and the high-back helm chair with bolster… all for $5,275.

Shade is a valuable commodity on the water so we’ll add the double Bimini for $1,600. We will then add the barbecue grill ($350), the bow gate filler bench ($525), the center in-tube storage ($1,500), the Sea Grass decking material ($2,175), the hydraulic pedestal for the helm seat ($150), the LED lighting for the cup holders ($113) as well as the exterior ($675), the Porta-Potti ($106), the portable table ($613), the refrigerator that replaces the trash can behind the helm ($1,375) and finally the ski mirror ($313). Now have a tricked out boat with a top-end engine for $83,633. Of course, in a more basic version, with a smaller engine, the price would be much less.

Observations

The standard 25 SES Flip SHP is loaded with comfort features and offers a choice of everything from layout to amenities design for many applications and pocketbooks. Nevertheless, this is a premium-level boat with high-quality materials and workmanship and that luxury comes at a price. But it also admits her owner to a select club of those that can have their cake and eat it too. A luxurious boat with virtually everything done right is a hard thing to put a price tag on. But our experience indicates the most knowledgeable boaters understand the value of paying the price.