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The optional Sport Handling Package allows the 23 Legacy to handle like a V-hull, but Manitou doesn’t stop there. Positive-angle lifting strakes on all those tubes — inside and out — further increase performance. With an Evinrude 250 HO E-TEC, the 23 Legacy planed in just 3.4 seconds, passed 30 mph four seconds later, and peaked at 52.4 mph. Along the way, it displayed handling worthy of a USA Water Ski endorsement.
Performance and handling aside, the core pontoon customer isn’t overlooked. A traditional layout features parallel lounges forward and an L-shaped lounge aft. The latter begins adjacent to the helm, inviting the captain to socialize with the crew. Below the sun pad you’ll find Manitou’s “toy box”: It provides an excess of room for skis, boards and water toys. The in-floor ski locker — made possible by the third, central tube — provides space for even more gear.
The 23 Legacy has been upgraded for 2012 to include an all-fiberglass helm, stainless-steel cup holders and the kind of stylish billet dash accents found on high-end ski boats. Captains will note the superior forward view provided by the raised helm station, and they’ll appreciate the standard power steering that comes with the Sport Handling Package.
Key Features
-All-fiberglass helm, billet dash accents and stainless-steel cup holders highlight 2012 upgrades.
Optional Sport Handling Package is a combination of 23-inch outer tubes and a 27-inch center tube that mimics a V-hull’s -deadrise.
-Power steering offers superior control.
It's pretty hard to beat a pontoon boat that planes at 3.4 seconds and tops 52.3 mph! I've always thought one of the smartest features of the Legacy is that it has a "toy box" or large compartment for all life jackets and water equipment, as opposed to piling it up on the floor where I walk. Manitou Boats has something going on with their V-Toon technology and extra pontoon, and I'm excited to see what they roll out with their next pontoon boat models.
The Manitou is a great boat but for half the price the Sunchaser will do what 99% of what people expect of a fast pontoon. I looked at both but decided on the Sunchaser lounger. A 2012 Sunchaser 8522 lounger model with a 2012 Yamaha 15o 4 cycle engine with lifting strakes that tops out, with 2 people on board and all storage containers filled with junk and a full 36 gallon tank, at a GPS measured 42.6 MPH. The bottom is sealed flush with aluminum skin for no drag. This is a stock boat and motor. At 4000 RPM it cruises at 25 MPH, 4500RPM it runs 30 MPH, 5000 RPM it is at 35 MPH and at 5800 it tops out at 42.6 MPH. At cruise it get 4 miles per gallon, at 5000 RPM it gets just over 3 miles per gallon. Boat motor and trailer were purchased from Outcast Marine in Tampa for $33,000 including tax and title. The best part of this boat is passing other boats that can’t believe that a pontoon boat just passed them. Another benefit of the lifting strakes over regular pontoon boats, besides the extra speed, is that you get a dryer ride in a chop as the water is pushed out and down. Get the vinyl floor it just last longer and looks great.