Frequently Asked Questions

Please take a moment and peruse our FAQ. You may be able to find the answer to your question already answered here.

  1. Can I order a custom floor plan boat?

    We work through our dealers to try and accommodate the needs of our customers. If the floor plan requested is one that can be configured with our current furniture molds and dimensions we are happy to build the pontoon boat as requested. Although we work diligently to build the perfect boat for each customer there are limitations to the amount of customization we are able to undertake in our manufacturing process. To find your closest dealer follow this link Manitou Dealer Locator

  2. Can I order parts or furniture directly from the factory?

    Please order parts and furniture from any of our dealers. We are not contractually permitted to sell customer direct.

  3. Can I take my Manitou to a Non-Manitou dealer for warranty service work?

    For warranty service, Manitou requests you contact your purchasing dealer. If you have moved please go to the Find a Dealer section of the website to find a Manitou dealer in your area.

  4. Can you give me a price for a new Manitou?

    The price of your new Manitou will include an engine, tax, options and freight. In addition, many dealers will offer seasonal discounts or specials on in-stock boats. You must contact your local dealer to get an accurate price for the boat you want. To see MSRP pricing you can start at our pontoon boat buying page and configure a boat from there to get a more solid idea of your MSRP price.

  5. Do you sell pontoon trailers?

    We do not sell or manufacture trailers. However, your dealer will be able to match your boat and needs to the trailer that will best suit you.

  6. How can I determine the value of my used Manitou?

    Please contact your Manitou dealer or go to NADA. Your location and the motor often affect the value of used boats.

  7. How can I get a Manitou product brochure?

    To request a brochure online, fill out the form on the bottom of this page and include your mailing address. You may also call 800-999-9788 and request one.

  8. How do I clean the aluminum pontoon tubes on my Manitou?

    Remove algae, scum, or other marine growth while they are still wet. This is nearly impossible to do once dry. Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasives to clean aluminum tubes. Toon Brite is a popular product for cleaning your pontoon boats.

  9. How do I clean the carpet on my Manitou?

    Your Manitou owner's packet has specific cleaning instructions. If a stain starts to develop, it can be cleaned with warm water and a mild household detergent. Do not use strong solvents to clean the carpet, as permanent damage to the fibers will occur.

  10. How do I clean the furniture vinyl on my Manitou?

    Your Manitou owner's packet has specific cleaning instructions.Wash with a mixture of mild soap (Ivory®) and water. Additional care and cleaning instructions are available at the Spradling Website and here. There is also a complete list of approved cleaners provided by Spradling.

  11. How do I clean the streaks off of my wall panels?

    We recommend mixing 1 oz. Simple Green with four cups of water in a spray bottle. It is very important to dilute the Simple Green so that damage does not occur to your graphics.

  12. How do I order Manitou clothing?

    It's easy, just click on the Online Store button on the home page of our website.

  13. How fast will my new Manitou go?

    The speed of your boat is greatly affected by the horsepower, load, (fuel capacity, gear, people) and weather conditions. Your authorized Manitou dealer can give you an idea of the speed.

  14. I don't have a Manitou dealer in my area, will you sell me a boat directly from the factory?

    We only sell boats through our dealer network. Our dealers are an integral part of our organization. They rig the boats before delivery and make sure that the boat is ready for delivery, as well as providing parts and service along the way.

  15. I have an older Manitou, do you stock furniture or parts for it?

    It is impossible for us to stock parts for every model year, but we do have some old parts. Please contact your local Manitou dealer to check on parts and availability.

  16. Where can I find boat wiring information?

    Kevin Hannula, who works with us on our wiring system designs, is one of the top electrical
    engineers in marine. In addition to assuring that Manitou has electrical
    systems that are second to none, Kevin publishes a website devoted to boat
    wiring, Easy Ac/Dc. It's an excellent
    resource for any questions that you might have concerning boat wiring and marine electrical systems. Here is an additional article from Easy Ac/Dc about an 2005 Manitou and the wiring.

  17. Where can I find OEM quality boat wiring for my pontoon?

    The Boat Wiring Store

    Our marine electrical products are sourced from the world's top manufacturers of marine electrical, including

    Attwood Marine,
    Marinco,
    BEP,
    Blue Sea Systems,
    Guest, and
    AFI.

    You can be assured that all Boat Wiring Store parts are of the highest quality and that each meets or exceeds boating industry standards for performance and safety.

  18. Where is my boat's serial number/hull identification number?

    Currently, all Manitou hull identification numbers (HIN) are located on the starboard stern of the boat (the rear, driver's side of the boat) below the rub rail.

  19. Where is my closest dealer?

    A zip code search is available on our website in the Find a Dealer section.

  1. How can I tell if a pontoon boat is NMMA Certified?

    All NMMA Certified pontoon boats have a NMMA capacity tag located on the helm. This tag is yellow, black, and silver and states the maximum persons capacity and maximum horsepower capacity for that particular model.

  2. I want quality customer service from my manufacturer. Does the NMMA track customer satisfaction?

    For the past four years, the NMMA has awarded the Customer Service Index (CSI) award yearly at the Miami International Boat Expo (IBEX). The NMMA sends out a survey to all new boat owners a few months after purchase, and also sends a survey to owners one year after purchase. Results from these surveys determine the CSI award winners. Manitou has received the CSI award every year since its inception.

  3. What is Discover Boating?

    Discover boating is a NMMA program that promotes the boating lifestyle.

  4. What is the CSI award?

    The CSI Award Program recognizes participating companies that have actively measured customer satisfaction to pursue continuous improvement. Award recipients achieved and maintained an independently measured standard of excellence of 90 percent or higher in customer satisfaction over the past year. More than 50,000 consumers purchase a new boat and engine in a given year.

  5. What is the N.M.M.A.?

    The National Marine Manufactures Association (NMMA) is comprised of over 1,400 companies who produce a variety of recreational boating products. These companies have a shared vision of providing customers with a safe boating experience. The NMMA is divided into three divisions: Boat Manufacturing Division, Accessory Manufacturing Division, and Engine Manufacturing Division. All Manitou and Aurora pontoon boats are NMMA Certified using standards set by the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC).

  6. What makes a NMMA Certified product different?

    All NMMA Certified boats undergo a vigorous certification process. NMMA Certified boats are evaluated for compliance with 31 ABYC standards. These compliance standards exceed United State Coast Guard standards. Inspectors visit NMMA manufactures and observe the manufacturing process. If deficiencies are found, the manufacture is required to make the boat compliant. NMMA Certification requires compliance with carbon monoxide detection systems, exhaust systems, steering systems, doors, hatches, ladders, electric bilge pumps, storage batteries, and portable fuel systems. Federal requirements do not govern these systems.

  1. How can I test drive a Manitou SHP or VP?

    Manitou Dealers from California to Maine have had great success with the SHP and VP models. Check out our dealer locator link to find your nearest Manitou Dealer. Once you drive the latest from Manitou, you will truly appreciate the V-Toon advantage.

  2. How did Manitou achieve this industry leading performance?

    Our quality construction allows us to offer our patented V-Toon Technology. Unlike some competitors, we do not cut corners in our construction. By using extruded hat crossmembers, full length risers, thicker aluminum in the tubes, and the strongest deck in the industry, Manitou manufactures a boat that can withstand the demands placed on modern high horsepower performance pontoon boats.

    Check out the motor pod on a Manitou. The .160" thick motor pod is bolted at 20 locations to extruded hat crossmembers. Others with flimsy construction know better than to subject their motor pod construction to these forces. For long term durability, today's high horsepower motors need the adequate support that only Manitou offers.

  3. How is the SHP steering system different than conventional hydraulic steering?

    The Manitou SHP features a Sea Star Hydraulic Steering System with Power Assist. Similar to many automobiles, this hydraulic system uses an electric pump to allow steering with your finger tips.

    If you are tired of fighting with your big outboard, maybe its time you test drove a Manitou SHP. This boat powers through corners, even with a full load.

  4. Is there is a patent on the Manitou V-Toon Technology?

    On May 31st 2011, Triton Industries was issued a United States patent (NO.: US 7,950,340) for their revolutionary V-toon style pontoon boat. The design is featured in every V-Toon® currently being produced under their Manitou brand name. Since the hull's debut in the 2005 model year, the company has worked diligently to secure a broad patent to protect this unique product. This nearly six year effort has finally bore fruit.

  5. What are some of the advantages of the Manitou V-Toon?

    To understand the V-Toon advantage, you must first understand how performance pontoons have evolved. A typical pontoon hull is considered a displacement hull, not a planing hull like a fiberglass speedboat. In addition to being far less efficient than a planing hull, a displacement hull does not allow a pontoon to bank gracefully at high speeds. In years past, many pontoon owners with high horsepower motors have been disappointed with their boats? performance. The Manitou V-Toon hull has created a hull design which acts as a planning hull. Hard cornering to the outside has been replaced with a more natural inward banking. This is unlike any pontoon previously on the market. You can have the handling and performance of a fiberglass boat with the stability and floor space of a pontoon.