Manitou 25 LX RFX Dual Engine (2021-)

Brief Summary

The Manitou 25 LX RFX Dual Engine is a high-performance triple-pontoon powered by a pair of outboard engines up to a combined 600 hp. Molded fiberglass bases for the seats and helm console give the boat a more finished look. She is luxuriously appointed and priced accordingly.

Key Features

• Triple pontoon design w/Barracuda nose cones
• Twin 300-hp Mercury outboards
• Folding watersports tower
• Super rugged boating ladder and ski tow
• Three boarding gates
• Twin aft-facing lounges in the stern

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	26'8" 8.1 m
Beam	8.5' 2.6 m
Dry Weight	4,161 lbs. 1,887 kg
Tested Weight	6,071 lbs. 2,753.76 kg
Draft	22" 55.88 cm
Person Capacity	13
Fuel Capacity	90 gallons 340.68 L
Total Weight	6,071 lbs. 2,753.76 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

0 to 30	6.6 seconds
Props	Rev 4 23p
Load	2 persons; 50% fuel; 50 lbs. gear
Climate	65 deg.; 100 humid; wind: 10-15; seas: <1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 300-hp Mercury Verados

By Eric Colby

Mission Statement

Riding on Manitou’s patented SHP 575 triple pontoon design, the 25 LX RFX Dual Engine is designed to be a luxury high-performance pontoon. She features thickly padded comfortable seats and lounges with lots of space throughout, a folding watersports tower and amenities that consumers want in a premium boat.

Manitou 25 LX RFX Dual Engine Performance

The Specs. The 25 LX RFX Dual Engine has an LOA of 26’8” (8.13 m), a beam of 8’6” (2.59 m) and a draft of 22” (55.88 cm). With an empty weight of 4,161 lbs. (1,887 kg), half fuel, two people and test power, we had an estimated test weight of 6,071 lbs. (2,754 kg).

Our test boat was powered by twin 300-hp Mercury Verado four-stroke outboards with the Advanced Mid Sections turning 14.6” x 23” (37.08 cm x 58.42 cm) Rev 4 four-blade stainless-steel propellers. At a maximum 6000 rpm, we hit a top speed of 62.0 mph. Best cruise came in at 2500 rpm and 22.0 mph, where the 9.0 gph fuel burn translated into 2.4 mpg and a range of 198 statute miles. This number is calculated while holding back a 10 percent reserve of the boat’s 90-gallon (340.70-L) fuel capacity.

Acceleration tests were downright fun with our test boat reaching 20 mph in 4.8 seconds before hitting 30 mph in 6.6, 40 in 9.1 and 50 in 11.7 seconds.

Handling. In the SHP 575 performance package, the outer pontoons are 25” (63.50 cm) in diameter and the center one has a diameter of 27” (68.58 cm). All the pontoons have strakes on both sides and the center pontoon is mounted 5 ¼” (13.33 cm) lower in the water. This configuration lets the boat act like a V-bottom in turns and she naturally leans into maneuvers at a comfortable angle. Around the docks, having the motors space so far apart and the Mercury Joystick Piloting System make maneuvering the boat feel like a video game.

The Engines. The twin outboards are installed on Manitou’s billet aluminum sealed transoms. Each pod has an inspection plate to access bilge pumps and the rigging looked clean.

Manitou 25 LX RFX Dual Engine Boat Inspection

The Aft Lounges. The RFX designation means that the boat has twin aft-facing chaise-style lounges built on fiberglass bases and they’re quite comfortable. They also taper in from 35” (88.90 cm) wide to 25” (63.50 cm) where the table installs to make it easier to sit. Beneath the bottom cushions were the batteries and steering pumps. The bottom cushions are held up by tension hinges. Between the aft ends of the lounges is a gate that opens to access the stern deck that is 3’ (91.44 cm) deep and are a centrally mounted stainless-steel ladder with super-duty grab rails on each side and a ski tow made from the same material that extends aft between the outboards.

Amidships. The 25 LX RFX Dual Engine has a total of three boarding gates, including one to port at amidships that is 29” (73.66 cm) wide. While the stern gate locks open, the side model doesn’t. We’d like to see this remedied. The port high-backed captain’s chair swivels, reclines and has flip-up armrests as well as a flip-out footrest. The captain’s chair at the helm has all the same features minus the extending footrest. Ahead of the port bucket seat, our test boat had a table that folded out of the aft end of the forward lounge in lieu of the standard changing curtain. Overhead, the tower has a towrope attachment point 7’ (2.13 m) off the deck. It can be equipped with an optional Garmin Virb camera that is displayed on the helm screen. The tower folds down but still allows the operator to drive the boat. It should not be folded down for towing on the trailer.

The Helm. To starboard, the helm console is raised 2” (5.08 cm) off the deck. Atop is an actual glass windscreen in a custom frame and the only instrument in the dash panel is a Garmin 7” (17.78 cm) multifunction display. The only button at the helm is for the horn and alongside are USB and auxiliary plugs. To starboard are the digital shift and throttle controls with the keys aft and the joystick farther abaft.

The Bow. For storage, there’s a glovebox in the side of the helm console, plus a lower hatch that opens to access more space plus helm access. Right alongside in the deck is a ski locker that has an opening that’s 2’ (60.96 m) wide by 18” (45.72 cm) deep and 7’4” (2.24 m) long. Forward, the bow has two lounges and a filler seat that slips into position abaft the 23”-wide (58.42 cm) boarding gate. There’s storage under the bottom cushions and the foredeck is 2’5” (76.2 cm) deep.

Retail Price

$193,186. As tested with twin 300-hp Mercury Verado outboards with the Advanced midsections, Platinum Package w/tower speakers, bow filler seat, Garmin Virb Camera, premium JL Audio system, folding entertainment table, and joystick steering.

Observations

Manitou was one of the first companies to build a high-performance, luxury pontoon boat and the 25 LX RFX Dual Engine lives up to the company’s premium heritage. The SHP 575 performance package on the pontoons is a proven design and the twin Mercury outboards deliver the punch to plant passengers back in their seats and push her past 60 mph. When it comes to attention to detail, the added effort put into the gunwale inserts and even the thread for the upholstery is next level. This pontoon boat is definitely not for idling around the lake at sunset, but if that’s what the family wants, it will make everyone comfortable doing it.