When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis SHP 2013 and the Manitou Pontoons 24 Encore Pro Angler SHP 2012 are pontoon designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Manitou Pontoons 24 Encore Pro Angler SHP 2012 measures 24,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis SHP 2013 at 20,8 feet (2013). At 248 lbs and 282 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Manitou Pontoons 24 Encore Pro Angler SHP 2012 has a 125-hp advantage over the Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis SHP 2013's 175-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Manitou Pontoons 24 Encore Pro Angler SHP 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis SHP 2013 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Manitou Pontoons 24 Encore Pro Angler SHP 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Both are 3-tube and 3-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.