The Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis - 8 Foot 6 Inch Wide 2007 vs Manitou Pontoons 20 X-plode Cruise 2009 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis - 8 Foot 6 Inch Wide 2007 measures 19,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 17,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Manitou Pontoons 20 X-plode Cruise 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis - 8 Foot 6 Inch Wide 2007 tips the scales at 1 885 lbs — 1 637 lbs more than the Manitou Pontoons 20 X-plode Cruise 2009 at 248 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 175 hp, the Manitou Pontoons 20 X-plode Cruise 2009 has a 85-hp advantage over the Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis - 8 Foot 6 Inch Wide 2007's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
Both boats are rated for 1 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Manitou Pontoons 20 X-plode Cruise 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 21 lbs per hp for the Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis - 8 Foot 6 Inch Wide 2007. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
The Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis - 8 Foot 6 Inch Wide 2007 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Manitou Pontoons 20 X-plode Cruise 2009 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: The Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis - 8 Foot 6 Inch Wide 2007 at 19,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Manitou Pontoons 20 X-plode Cruise 2009 at 2,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.