When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Manitou Pontoons 22 Aurora 2008 and the Manitou Pontoons 22 Oasis 2009 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 22 Oasis 2009 measures 22,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 20,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Manitou Pontoons 22 Aurora 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). At 175 lbs and 261 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 Manitou Pontoons 22 Aurora 2008 carries a rated maximum of 70 hp. Engine data for the Manitou Pontoons 22 Oasis 2009 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Manitou Pontoons 22 Aurora 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Manitou Pontoons 22 Oasis 2009 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Manitou Pontoons 22 Aurora 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Both are 2-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.
Bottom line: Choose the Manitou Pontoons 22 Aurora 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Manitou Pontoons 22 Oasis 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.