Whether on the lake, river or bay, nothing packs a party quite like a pontoon boat. Recent advancements in LED lighting take the pontoon boat party to a whole new level. What follows is our take on dialing in your pontoon boat led lighting setup.

What Lights Does a Pontoon Boat Need?

Like all vessels, the right pontoon boat LED lighting setup involves a combination of lights that you’re required to have and those that make the experience more fun. Whether navigation lights, spreader bars, underwater lighting or light strips around the deck, LED lights are functional, versatile and quite a bit of fun. 

LED setups offer a number of customization possibilities. For instance, they may be:

• Dimmable: You can control and adjust the brightness and lumen output via apps on your marine electronics or smartphone.
• Multi-color changing: The same bulb can produce an incredible variety of colors. Previous lighting options, if they had the ability to change color at all, were extremely limited. 
• Syncable with sound: With the right setup and installation, you can make the lights on your pontoon boat change in brightness and color to music. LED light strips like these are really cool for kids and adults alike.

Lighting for Pontoon Boats: Legal Requirements

The exact lighting setup you will need depends on the length of your pontoon boat. Be sure to check the legal requirements for your situation. The requirements include the number of lights, angle of light emitted, and visible range of the light.

At its most basic, your pontoon boat needs the following:

• Masthead lights: These are typically white lights that are mounted in a place that is visible to other boats. This base-mounted, fold down LED pole light is a great example. 
• Navigation lights: These are the classic red and green lights mounted on the bow of your boat. In addition to being required by law, they let other vessels know which direction you are traveling at night. 
• Stern lights: You also need stern lights mounted on the back of your boat and an all-around light. 

‘Nice-to-Have’ Lights for a Pontoon Boat

Beyond the lights required by law, you can outfit your pontoon with an incredible variety of exciting LED lighting options. Consider illuminating the dock, installing courtesy lights along pathways and steps, and adding submersible underwater LED lights. 

You also have many options when it comes to deck lighting. For instance, you can mount a series of recessed LED lights along the walls or beneath the covering boards. You can also mount an LED light strip to run the length of your pontoon boat.

Other great varieties of pontoon boat LED lights include:

• Spreader lights to illuminate where you’re going 
• Utility livewell lights
• Tube lights that light the console

Boating’s Top Spotlights for Boaters provides a breakdown of spotlight options for your pontoon boat.  

Benefits of LED Lights for Pontoon Boats

LED lights for pontoon boats provide a wide ranging number of benefits. They provide a significant energy savings and produce less heat than other forms of lighting. 

The primary benefits include:

• Energy efficiency: LED lights draw less battery power to produce the same number of lumens than do halogen or incandescent lights. 
• Longevity and durability: When properly maintained, LED lights last longer and stand up to the elements. If you do need to replace a bulb, they’re more consistent between lights than other types of lighting.
• Brightness and visibility: LED lights produce more light in smaller packages than other types of boat lighting. 
• Versatility in color: LED lighting systems allow you to customize the color of your boat’s lighting. You can also control many LED light kits with apps. 

Installing Pontoon Boat LED Lights

Just as there are many LED lighting products, you have a range of installation options. Hire a professional, or install them yourself. Integrate all your pontoon boat LED lights into a single circuit, or install and control them individually. 

Check out the 2024 Pontoon Boat Buyer’s Guide for some design inspiration. This review of the SunCatcher Elite provides some additional perspective. 

Marine Mounting Considerations

Where and how you mount your LED lighting systems depends on your boat’s setup and the look you’re after. You can install a series of individual recessed lights or mount an LED strip on a track. 

Professional vs. DIY Pontoon Light Installation

Most LED lighting systems are wired into your pontoon boat’s battery system. If you are technical, you may be able to install a new lighting system or modify the one you have. 

Professional installation is a great option, too. Professionals understand your boat’s voltage (and can make sure to install the appropriate lights). Most LED manufacturers make them in 12V and 24V options. 

How you install LED lights on your pontoon boat also depends on how complex and feature-rich you’d like your system to be. When you start including dimmability and app control, or integrating different LED lighting components, the installation gets more complex. 

Maintaining LED Pontoon Lights 

When properly maintained, your pontoon boat LED lighting system will last a long time. Clean and dry the lights after use to keep them in ship shape. Make sure that your connections are secure and that the wiring and batteries stay dry.

If you use your pontoon boat in saltwater, take extra care to avoid corrosion. Also, be sure to test your navigation lights before you leave the dock. Being in the middle of the lake at night is no time to find out that your lights are out. 

Make a Safe Investment in LED Pontoon Boat Lights

So you’ve got your pontoon boat. You know the many benefits of LED lighting setups. Now it’s time to bring a fully customized, brighter LED setup to the biggest party on the water. Pontoon boats are great. They’re even better with LEDs. 

FAQ

The post Guide to LED Pontoon Boat Lights appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Measuring 18 feet, 4 ­inches, Viaggio’s Lago V 16U is one tiny ’toon. Why embrace shrinkage when supersizing seems the norm? Smaller boats cost less, and they stow and tow easier.

Though small, the Lago V 16U definitely lives large on the water. Its deck extends the entire length of the pontoons, and it measures 8 feet, 6 inches in width. That means more usable space than many similarly sized models. Viaggio also maximizes the floor plan. Your crew will enjoy seating that wraps nearly the entire perimeter, including a 12-foot-long  portside lounge.  

Interior and Accessories

True to Viaggio’s roots, the Lago V 16U retains a decidedly upscale vibe. The exterior follows the brand’s ­familiar palette of trendy, matte-­metallic finishes and sleek bilevel fence panels. Oversize rails, trim and ­skirting are all anodized in black and seem more like aesthetic ­accents than stodgy structure. Within, a sculpted ­fiberglass helm features a tinted windscreen, a vinyl-wrapped ­eyebrow, chrome-bezel gauges, backlit push-button controls and an illuminated ­Viaggio logo. ­Roto-molded seat ­bases, ­covered in vinyl, ­offer a contrasting color to the ­buttery-­soft pillow-top ­seating above. Standard ­amenities include a Clarion sound system, a 10-foot-long Bimini top with anodized frame, LED ­interior lighting, a polished stainless-­steel boarding ­ladder, and a mooring cover.

Viaggio’s construction details stand out as well. Twin tubes are 25 ­inches in ­diameter. C-channel crossmembers are spaced 16 inches on ­center and topped with ¾-inch marine-­grade plywood and durable, ­woven-vinyl ­flooring. All welds are backed by a ­limited lifetime warranty. The aluminum for the tubes is 0.10-inch thick. I’d contend that the only real trade-off in this pint-size pontoon is the choice of available power. While certainly fuel-efficient and fine for casual cruising, the 60 hp Suzuki outboard, even with the motor’s High Energy Rotation lower unit, had its work cut out for it when it came to performance on our test boat. Top speed failed to surpass 18 mph with our two-passenger load. The overall feeling, however, is of a boat-and-motor combo that definitely punches above its weight class.

Read Next: Viaggio Diamante 26U 

How We Tested

• Engine: Suzuki DF60AV
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Suzuki 11 5/8″ x 12″ 3-blade aluminum
• Gear Ratio: 2.42:1 Fuel Load: 14 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

High Points

• Pillow-top furniture swathed in buttery-soft vinyl. 
• Standards include 10-foot Bimini with -anodized frame, mooring cover, woven vinyl flooring.
• Sculpted fiberglass helm.
• Wide beam compared with similar-length pontoon boats.
• Worthwhile options include digital depth finder/transducer, integrated docking lights with flip-up stainless-steel cleats, helm seat slider.
• Standard Clarion sound system

Low Point 

• Stylish and upscale—but many of today’s buyers might find its maximum 60 hp rating underwhelming. 

Toughest Competitors

• SunTracker’s Party Barge 18 DLX ($27,760 with a Mercury 60 FourStroke) is competitively priced but lacks the Viaggio’s upscale feel. 
• Another intriguing option is Sea-Doo’s Switch 19 ($36,199 with a 170 hp jet drive). It features a configurable floor plan and seating for up to 10 people.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Viaggio Lago V 16U appeared first on Boating Mag.

Meet one of the most versatile boats on the market. Whether you prefer the Switch Cruise, Switch Sport, or Switch Cruise Limited, these easy to use, adaptable, and intuitive jet drive models have something for everyone. Change and rearrange your seating on the modular deck, relax on the sun pads and back rests in the forward lounge, or use the Bimini top for easy sun protection. Enjoy the extra stability and smooth ride of the tri-hull or activate Ski Mode for optimized wake sports action. It even includes the Intelligent Brake and Reverse (iBR) system to make driving and docking effortless. The Switch can switch to be whatever you need. So which Switch are you? 

The post Switch Your Switch: Sea-Doo’s 2024 Switch Lineup appeared first on Boating Mag.

Viaggio’s Lago V 16U has many of the same accoutrements found on the manufacturer’s upscale flagships, including stylish, bi-level fence panels colored in matte-metallic paint finishes, ­oversize blacked-out rails, and raised graphics. Pillow-top furniture is swathed in buttery-soft vinyl. The roto-molded seat bases likewise feature vinyl ­wrapping to continue the premium vibe. And then there’s the Lago’s sculpted-fiberglass helm, with its vinyl-wrapped dash, backlit push-button switch array and attractive ­windscreen with heavy-duty stanchions. The only reason the Lago 16 stands out from its premium brethren is its size. At 18 feet, 4 inches, a portion of which is a sizable 2-foot-deep aft deck, it’s one of the smallest pontoon boats on the market.

Why downsize? Lakes with size and horsepower limits represent one reason. Some buyers also don’t have the space for a larger pontoon. Viaggio satisfies them all with a pint-size pontoon that doesn’t look like a stripped-to-the-bone bargain. The reason that the V 16U feels bigger than you might expect is because the deck extends beyond the full length of the pontoons. Unlike most craft in a similar size range, the beam is also a healthy 8 feet, 6 inches. The seemingly never-ending portside lounge certainly exploits those dimensions. Extending a full 12 feet, it packs in plenty of comfort for a decent-size crew. Details such as the blacked-out side skirting, deck trim and rails are also standard issue, as is a Clarion sound system.

If there’s a trade-off, it’s that an 18-foot-6-inch boat with a decent passenger capacity, twin 25-inch-diameter pontoons and only a 60 hp outboard  isn’t going to blow buyers away in terms of performance. Time to plane was 6.2 seconds. Top speed was a tame 17.8 mph. We selected a slow “cruising speed” in the accompanying chart, which reflects the low (efficient) power and ability of a smaller boat to deal with a load and with chop. Still, for the buyer who wants a premium feel without the premium size and power, the Lago V 16U is an intriguing alternative to the big boys—a ­mini-me flagship, with the looks and quality to back up the claim.

High Points

• Pillow-top furniture swathed in buttery-soft vinyl. 
• Standards include 10-foot Bimini with -anodized frame, mooring cover, woven vinyl flooring.
• Sculpted fiberglass helm.
• Wide beam compared with similar-length pontoon boats.
• Worthwhile options include digital depth finder/transducer, integrated docking lights with flip-up stainless-steel cleats, helm seat slider.
• Standard Clarion sound system

How We Tested

• Engine: Suzuki DF60AV
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Suzuki 11 ⁵/₈” x 12″ 3-blade aluminum
• Gear Ratio: 2.42:1 Fuel Load: 14 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2024 Viaggio Lago V 16U appeared first on Boating Mag.

The Qwest E-Class Lanai LTZ features a traditional aluminum perimeter enclosure atop the Q3V hull, which designates triple 25-inch pontoons with lifting strakes on the center tube. Rigged with a Honda 200, the Lanai clipped off a solid 41.4 mph top end at 6,000 rpm ­spinning a 17-pitch Honda propeller. It accelerates strong. Hitting 30 mph in just 6.2 seconds, the LTZ makes a good ­watersports towboat. It won’t hurt the wallet ­doing so either; we calculated 4 mpg at 16.4 mph. With the 45-gallon tank full, that’s over 160 miles of cruising with a 10 percent reserve. Running through wakes and lake chop, this boat never balked.

The E-Class Lanai LTZ sports a new helm station for 2024. It’s fitted with a 9-inch Garmin MFD, and topped with a slick flat-panel windscreen with black powder-coated aluminum side frames. Dometic XPA power-assist steering is a worthwhile option to control the Honda ­outboard. A Clarion sound system with four speakers comes standard.

At the bow, a small extended deck helps with docking and boarding. Inside, twin facing sofas create a bow conversation area sized for at least five adults. Across from the helm and high-back reclining and swiveling pilot’s chair, the port side features a long, L-shaped couch that will easily fit five without crowding, and in this configuration, the captain can be included in the conversation. USB chargers are fitted at just about every seating area, so crew can stay ­connected. A table and soft-side cooler are also ­standard equipment.

Out back, the extended aft deck ­features a portside mounted love seat ­ideally positioned for use in getting ready for watersports, or just hanging to watch the action from an aft vantage point.

Underneath is more stowage, ideal for tow ropes and life vests. An in-floor ski locker is optional, to fit even more watersports toys. A beefy ­stainless-steel watersports tow bar complements a stainless-steel folding, telescoping boarding ladder. The Lanai series in LTZ trim is well-equipped and performs at a high level, all for a competitive price of just under $81,000. 

High Points

• Made in America by Apex Marine, the E-Class Lanai LTZ features seat bases made from  proprietary Dura Lite composite. It’s rugged and light in weight.
• Long L-bench aft makes for a great gathering place that seats four comfortably, and includes the captain’s chair for a party of at least five. 
• The Garmin 9-inch dash display offers navigation and engine information.
• “Ultra-Flow” seat-base ventilation helps keep mildew away and contents dry.

How We Tested

• Engine: Honda BF200 200 hp
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Honda 14 1/4″ x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2:1 Fuel Load: 36 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2024 Qwest E-Class Lanai LTZ appeared first on Boating Mag.

Bennington’s fishing-friendly 20 SF-SPS might come from the brand’s most affordable series, but we were impressed by its features and construction. Exterior fencing eschewed boring rectangular patterns with a bold swoop backed in a contrasting color and texture. Two-color asymmetrical patterns with Serene Soft Touch vinyl and a Simtex accent add an upscale feel to the interior seating. The roto-molded helm was impressively contoured and capped with an acrylic top and glare-reducing brow. ­Vinyl weave flooring came standard. 

Designed as a fishing-focused entry in the Bennington lineup, the SF features a pair of fishing seats forward, upgraded on our test boat to high-back captain-style recliners. Sorry, you can’t lie about the size of your catch; roto-molded corner units feature lids with rulers. One serves as a livewell, the other for storage. Rail-mounted rod holders near each chair are ready to secure a pair of rods vertically.

There’s plenty more aft. Perimeter fencing stretches the length of the deck, making space for two additional bass seats with fold-down backrests. A central tackle station adds an additional livewell, two more rod holders on each side, an etched ruler, and a pair of cup holders and rod holders. A trio of slide-out tackle boxes are within reach. An optional roto-molded rod locker can be positioned inside the starboard fencing. Our test boat’s textured vinyl flooring below seemed like an odd pairing, but it’s attractive, comfortable underfoot, and promises to be readily washable.

Bennington’s SPS (Sports Performance System) is ready to get you to your favorite fishing hole quickly as well as comfortably cruise the local lake. It includes a trio of full-length 25-inch pontoons, with lifting strakes on the center tube, performance foils on the insides of the outside logs, solid round keels, and an underdeck wave shield. SeaStar hydraulic steering rounds out things. Underway, handling was sharp and smooth. During testing, a Yamaha 115 outboard produced a brief 3.7-second time to plane and 34.3 mph top speed.

High Points

• L-shaped lounge opposite the helm provides social seating. 
• Optional Trolling Motor Gate features a panel-less bottom half for installation.
• Saltwater Package has sacrificial anodes and sealed lifting strakes.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha F115
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha 13¾” x 14″ 3-blade aluminum
• Gear Ratio: 2.15:1 Fuel Load: 11 gal. Crew Weight: 155 lb.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2024 Bennington 20 SF-SPS appeared first on Boating Mag.

Delivering a stellar combination of performance and value, Bennington proves it can compete at any level with the SVSB-SPS. Rigged with Yamaha’s VMax SHO 200, we planed in just 3.3 seconds, reaching 30 mph in a cat-quick 6.1 seconds. Top speed was a healthy 45 mph at 5,900 rpm. In the midrange, this Bennington-Yamaha package was quiet as well as thrifty; our decibel meter recorded just 69 dB(A) while sipping fuel at 3.6 gph (that’s 4 mpg) at a best-cruise speed of 14 mph and 2,500 rpm. Handling was ­sure-footed and ­predictable at all speeds; we carved turns with little heel-over leaning, and skipped over boat wakes and wind chop without drama.

Aboard, the SVSB-SPS is new and ­redesigned from the deck up for 2024. New for 2024 is the Swingback aft lounge seat, previously only offered on Bennington’s higher-end models. The intent is to offer this model as a package all-inclusive of most options, making it an easier ­purchase for new boaters.

Interior seating vinyl is a Serene Soft Touch pillow-top style, with colors that include a shadow gray with carbon accents for a subdued and tasteful combination. Seagrass is the name of the ­vinyl flooring.

In the bow, dual facing loungers form a gathering place, with lumbar areas set back below the pillow tops for more storage for phones, hats, etc. A removable snack table fits between the seats. Leading back to the single console, an in-floor storage locker houses water toys. The helm is redesigned for 2024, with a more sweptback look and better ­ergonomics and instrument placement; there’s also more legroom underneath for taller captains. New for ’24, Bennington has incorporated courtesy lights at the bow and portside door stoppers. Astern, the ­Swingback seating arrangement provides a lounge pad with a reversible backrest; there’s a large storage compartment under this seat. 

Bennington has priced this package very competitively; for $65,504, boaters get a well-equipped package with ­legendary Bennington quality.

High Points

• The 22-foot package offers the performance and features of much larger boats.
• Lillipad boarding ladder and tow bar on the aft deck.
• Swingback aft sun pad is versatile and comfortable.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha VMax SHO 200 four-stroke 200 hp
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 14.5″ x 15″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 22 gal. Crew Weight: 260 lb.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2024 Bennington 22 SVSB-SPS appeared first on Boating Mag.

Princecraft’s Copper Special ­Edition package really ups the Vectra 23 RL’s game for 2024. It includes bold copper exterior and interior accents, raised black logo decals, and deluxe driver and passenger seats, each clad with stylish hard-shell backing. Also included are LED lighting below the helm and upholstery, and an upgraded steering wheel and docking lights. The end result is a pontoon boat that punches above its weight class while maintaining a surprisingly affordable price tag.

The 23 RL’s layout is a versatile mix of traditional passenger seating and laid-back lounge options. Parallel bow lounges feature ample storage in the roto-molded bases below. Those Copper Edition chairs cradle the captain and passenger while underway and when they spin around to join the social opportunities provided by an oversize pedestal dining table aft. The versatile Rear Lounge adds more seating on the opposite side of the table. Pivot its backrest forward to create a rear-facing mega-­recliner. An optional perimeter rail allows passengers to use the lounge while underway. A smart addition is that aft and side sections of that rail can pivot down to seat level, allowing passengers easy access to the lounge from the aft platform, as well as revealing the pop-up changing room hidden below.

Our test boat got its go from a ­Mercury 150 XL outboard and featured Princecraft’s Sport pontoon configuration, a blend of the twin-pontoon Speed package and triple-pontoon Performance layout. It had 25-inch pontoons to port and starboard, and a 25-inch center pontoon that ran about two-thirds down the boat’s length as a means to blend performance and affordability. Tube noses are reinforced, lifting strakes are added to all three tubes, and the underside of the deck is covered in an aluminum spray shield. The result was a soft and solid ride, with a touch of inside lean in the corners and predictable control provided by SeaStar hydraulic steering. The combo pushed our test boat immediately onto plane with no significant bow rise. Top speed peaked at 37 mph.

High Points

• Extruded aluminum cross members, full-length keels and full-length skirting.
• Standard ski-pylon base.
• Optional Mood Package adds a bow snack table, glove box, wireless phone charger and removable windscreen.

How We Tested

• Engine: Mercury 150 XL
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 15.3″ x 14″
• Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 23 gal.

The post 2024 Princecraft Vectra 23 RL appeared first on Boating Mag.

The 23 RX Sport Swingback blends classic pontoon construction materials with a modern twist. The classic comes from aluminum, naturally; the twist comes in its placement. Rather than traditional railings and panels, sleek outside cladding produces a near-seamless exterior as it wraps the boat’s lower half before giving way to an offset, interior-clad swoop of a bold accent color arching across the tapered bow and down the port and starboard sides. Overhead, a sleek sport arch mimics the flowing, uninterrupted lines below. Add a tinted ­windscreen at the helm, integrated docking lights at the bow, stainless-steel accents aft and Bennington’s logo on the bow gate to get one mean machine.

The black Phantom Package interior on our test boat really popped, and cool-touch pillow-top furniture with stitched diamond-pattern accents hinted at the cushy comforts below. As aboard most pontoons, parallel lounges are found forward. Add the optional gate-filler seat for a U-shaped lounge. Lift the seats to find storage below as well as behind the forward-facing seatbacks. Aft, a 4-inch raised helm lifted the captain above the passengers for a clear view forward. Behind, Bennington’s Deluxe Swingback features an L-shaped lounge with a removable pedestal table. The backrest pivots to form an aft-facing recliner, lies flat to form a sun bed, or ratchets up the sternmost cushions for a forward-facing recliner. A pop-up changing room waits below. An optional stainless-steel perimeter rail lets passengers use the area while running the boat.

Bennington’s ESP (Elliptical Sport Package) pairs 25-inch outer pontoons with a 32-inch elliptical tube down the middle to provide a lightning-fast time to plane and precision handling while underway. The latter showcased Bennington’s trademark hint of inside lean to inspire confidence and keep the crew planted when cornering. A 300 hp ­Yamaha proved quiet and economical when cruising, burning less than 6 gph at 20 mph. Jam the throttle forward, and 30 mph comes and goes in just over 7 seconds en route to a near-45 mph top speed.

High Points

• Upscale helm design features aircraft-style toggles, Garmin and Yamaha touchscreens, and a glove box with 12-volt dual USB chargers.
• Multiple USB/USB-C charging stations.
• Standard Rockford Fosgate sound system.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha F300
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 16″ x 15½”
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 15 gal. Crew Weight: 155 lb.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2024 Bennington 23 RX Sport Swingback appeared first on Boating Mag.

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

The post 2024 Manitou Explore 24 appeared first on Boating Mag.