When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Manitou Pontoons 26 Encore VP 2013 and the Manitou Pontoons 27 SES SHP 2013 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Manitou Pontoons 26 Encore VP 2013 at 26,8 ft versus Manitou Pontoons 27 SES SHP 2013 at 28,3 ft. At 314 lbs and 334 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 27 SES SHP 2013 has a 150-hp advantage over the Manitou Pontoons 26 Encore 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 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 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.