When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Manitou Pontoons 24 Oasis VP 2012 and the Manitou Pontoons 27 ft. Legacy SES VP 2010 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 27 ft. Legacy SES VP 2010 measures 28,3 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 3,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Manitou Pontoons 24 Oasis VP 2012 at 24,8 feet (2012). At 262 lbs and 326 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 150 hp for the Manitou Pontoons 24 Oasis VP 2012 and 150 hp for the Manitou Pontoons 27 ft. Legacy SES VP 2010. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 34 gal and 34 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
Both boats are rated for 15 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 23" 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.
Bottom line: The Manitou Pontoons 27 ft. Legacy SES VP 2010 at 28,3 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Manitou Pontoons 24 Oasis VP 2012 at 24,8 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.