Manitou’s Explore 24 represents a cool advancement in design, construction and appearance. Futuristic perimeter fencing gives a clean, automotive look. Integrated LED docking and navigation lights blend into the curved bow walls. Made from individual panels that are removable and replaceable, all the wiring and plumbing for the boat is hidden inside the exterior walls. The top rail features exclusive BRP LinQ attachment points to install accessories, such as fender clips, cup holders and wineglass holders.
With Mercury’s Verado 250, we hit 47 mph and raced to 30 mph in 5.8 seconds. Best economy comes at 13 mph, where we recorded 3.8 mpg. Triple pontoons with full-length lifting strakes and an underdeck spray shield combine for stellar performance and rough-water capability.
The Explore 24’s furniture features rectangular cushions that look firm, but feel plush and accommodating. With long lounges featuring easy-opening storage, the bow can comfortably handle several riders per side. The aft seats reverse, allowing guests to face forward or aft. Manitou’s Trifold Bench aft features facing seats with a flip-out table, or it can reverse to be a filler cushion for lounging. Seat bases offer a recessed toe kick.
The pilot and navigator sit in matching high-back chairs behind oversize consoles with low-profile windscreens. The port console features a large locking glove box with USB charging inside. The captain’s console features a phone cubby with an optional wireless charging pad, a Fusion RA-210 sound system powering four 6-inch speakers, a Garmin 9-inch digital-control center graph, and digital switches for all boat functions. A 12-foot Sport Bimini features a transparent plexi panel that looks solid from the outside and remains rigid at up to 55 mph when fully deployed. It also houses a storage net underneath the top, and lights for navigation and anchoring above. The decking on the Explore and Cruise models is composite, so there’s no wood to worry about. Options include lighted center-tube storage, twin batteries with a Smart Switch, and a dinette table.
High Points
- Standard Sport Bimini is rated to 55 mph.
- Redesigned helm has four focused sections: audio, vessel monitoring, switching and charging.
- Trifold Bench folds from a seat to a table or folds away to create more space.
How We Tested
- Engine: Mercury Verado FourStroke 250 hp
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 14.5″ x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 32 gal. Crew Weight: 260 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $104,565 |
| LOA: | 25’4″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 3,988 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 13/1,833 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 43 gal. |
Manitou Pontoon Boats – Lansing, Michigan; manitoupontoonboats.com
