This article originally appeared in our 2014 Shootout issue. If you are interested in seeing this in print along with 25 other boat reviews, click HERE to purchase the back issue.
What You Need To Know
With this Legacy it’s all about being versatile as Manitou has created a solid multi-use boat from bow to stern. With a dual-purpose theme, comfort and performance never looked so good.
The Highlights
It’s a new option for the manufacturer and we feel the Almond color teak vinyl flooring with a snap-in Sea Grass mat is a great combo that is going to be a popular upgrade this season. Another new feature is the Legacy seating that includes a cutout for blue track lighting that, when combined with the other LED accent lighting onboard—like the cup holders as well as the exterior lights—really takes mood lighting for those evening cruises to a whole new level.
At the raised fiberglass helm, the standard Gussi wheel perfectly flows with the sporty console that includes lighted toggle switches, Lowrance color GPS/fish finder, as well as an Infinity Blue Tooth stereo so you can stream music from your phone. We love the flip-up bolster on the comfy captain’s chair, plus a great added touch is the identical chair for your first mate.
Besides the performance, the next most talked about trait on this Legacy is going to be the multi-use, dual rear loungers. You can stretch out, or simply flip up the seat and slide in a portable table to create a small picnic seating area. With a stereo remote also in the stern as well as two large speakers, this is where everyone is going to want to be. Also in the aft is a stainless ski/tow bar and there is even a rotating stainless guard rail that increases the level of safety in the stern by acting as a gate.
Other amenities worth noting include the drop-down furniture hinges that allow easy access below your seats, trash can storage built-in to the back of the rear-facing loungers, a pop-up changing room built in the back of the bow chaise lounge (that stands 5-foot, 4-inches when open) and a very large storage locker that is over 7 feet inside that is built into the center pontoon that includes a bilge in case water gets in.
Inspection Notes
The Sport Handling Package (SHP) is a unique hull design that includes two 23-inch diameter pontoons and a 27-inch diameter center log with positive angle lifting strakes on all three. After a close inspection we found nothing that would keep this boat from earning a high score in fit and finish work, overall design and quality craftsmanship. As far as family-friendly, the four-step boarding ladder reaches over 4 feet into the water for easy access and the railing measures 26 inches tall for the majority of the boat, earning this ‘toon a high score.
Performance Evaluation
Luxury and style meet thrill-seeking fun head-on with this Legacy. We flirted with the 50 mile per hour mark with the beefy Evinrude 300hp E-TEC outboard, but it’s the way this Manitou dives into those sharp turns like a V-hull that impressed us the most. Of course the power-assist steering really helps drive up the fun factor rating as well and the best part is that it’s included with the long list of other standard features.
Our Take
You pay a little more for the complete package, but you get everything you need for a great day on the water. This is an extremely fun boat to drive that is loaded with plenty of standard features with the right mix of key options to give you a multi-function pontoon that will be a great fit for most families.
Number of Occupants 13
Maximum Speed 48.7 mph
Wild Ponies 300hp
No. of Gates 4
0-20 MPH 5.2 seconds
Ladder Measurement 4’ 1” deep
Why we love this boat…Nothing is an afterthought on this Legacy. The interior flows well in both design and color scheme and the SHP hull always puts a smile on our face.
Just being picky…There doesn’t appear to be enough drink holders onboard, which isn’t a big deal but it does leave your first mate without a place for her drink.
NOTABLE STANDARDS
V-Toon, power-assist steering, deep, wide 4-step rear ladder, AM/FM Infinity Blue Tooth stereo w/ 6 kicker speakers, raised fiberglass helm, stainless bimini frame, Shaw carpet, mooring cover, blue LED track lighting, LED docking & nav lights, master batt. switch, chaise lounges, privacy station, ski/tow bar, stern toy box, 12-volt & USB port, Lowrance Elite 4 color GPS, Gussi 930 steering wheel and Teleflex steering,
OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT
Full Almond teak vinyl floor with snap-in Sea Grass flooring, exterior blue LED lights and center in-tube storage.
VITAL STATS
LOA 26’4”
Beam 8’ 6”
Hull Design V-Toon
Dry Weight 3,480 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 44 gallons
TEST DRIVE
Engine 300 Evinrude E-TEC
Cylinder Type V6
Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower 210ci/300hp
Lower Unit Gear Ratio 1.85:1
Propeller 17 X 15 1/4
RPM vs. SPEED vs. DB-A
900 1.0 72.5
1000 2.3 76
1500 4.2 79
2000 6.9 82.5
2500 11.4 93
3000 17.5 95.5
3500 21.5 98
4000 25.4 98.5
4500 30.4 99
5000 35.8 102.5
5500 41.2 103
6000 48.7 105.5
Lansing, Mich.
800-999-9788
manitouboats.com
