When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis 2009 and the Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis VP 2013 are pontoon designs with fiberglass 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 20 Oasis VP 2013 measures 20,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 18,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis VP 2013 tips the scales at 2 135 lbs — 1 887 lbs less than the Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis 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 Oasis 2009 has a 25-hp advantage over the Manitou Pontoons 20 Oasis VP 2013's 150-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.

One place where both boats are genuinely identical is tube construction: both run 3 aluminum tubes at 2" diameter. That shared spec means stability and buoyancy characteristics are closely matched — the ride difference you'll feel between them comes primarily from deck length, weight distribution, and motor choice.