Manitou Explore Dual Engine Rotax S 150 (voted Boat of the Year by Boating Magazine 2023)
Manitou Explore Dual Engine Rotax S 150 (voted Boat of the Year by Boating Magazine 2023)
I wanted to take a brief moment to touch on a few topics, 1. Manitou’s Explore Dual Engine Tritoon, and 2.The New Rotax S Outboard engine being offered by BRP’s Manitou and Alumacraft companies.
The boat…
This loaded Tritoon has been quite the eye-catcher since we received it. It has gained attention from many people in the boating world. We recently attended the Memphis Boat Show and our Explore Dual was a definite head-turner that intrigued many people passing by to stop and take a look whether they were looking into pontoons/ tritoons or not.
The engine...
I have heard and read many comments regarding the Rotax S, but the comments seem to be a bit misleading. Many of the comments refer to things that have nothing to do with this engine. That’s why I am taking time out to write this to clear up a couple of things being mentioned. Most of us will take to the internet to read reviews or get an idea of product quality from other users’ reviews, statements, vlogs, or blogs to imagine what our own experience would be like with the same product. Comparing advantages vs disadvantages. You will find a lot of dealer and factory videos out there that review or explain power and features, however, with the Rotax S, there are still not a lot of reviews of actual owner experience yet as it is still a fairly new product and technology.
One thing that I have found is that more than a handful of people believe the Rotax S is like a jet ski, jet-powered. This is wrong. It is an outboard engine with a prop. Another confusion is that people think it is impossible for the engine to partially submerge and not take on water through the air intake however they do not realize or notice that on this model it is not located on the top of the motor like a traditional outboard. The air is delivered from a tube running from the motor to the transom, out of the water’s way. BRP Rotax Engines has been known for years for its industry-defining power plants with strong, responsive power delivery, leading fuel and oil economy, and an indisputable reputation for reliability. The Rotax S has undergone rigorous testing through BRP’s engineering team. Following Annual Authorized dealer-recommended inspections, there should be no reason this engine would not hold up to it’s features. Taking a dive into history, For over a 100 years Rotax high-tech premium engines have powered legendary products such as Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft, Can-Am all-terrain and side-by-side vehicles, Can-Am Spyder, Can-Am Ryker, motorcycles, karts and light and ultralight aircraft, and are now also built for Manitou, Alumacraft and Quintrex boats. With that being said, I believe there is a bit of deserved trust in the brand. This engine has a very neat concept and it deserves a second look.
Back to the boat…
The Manitou Explore Dual performs and handles as well as it looks and feels. This model comes pre-equipped with several features such as the notorious MAX DECK. With the new design that houses the dual Rotax S engines, you get to enjoy a 6-foot-long deck that can be used for coolers, jumping into the water, or a lounge chair. One Major benefit of the Explore Dual is the iDock joystick piloting system. The iDock makes docking effortless. Joystick steering on many other boats will run upwards of $30,000 and comes standard on this model. You’ll also have a 12” Garmin digital Display featuring Garmin Boat Switch and a custom Garmin home page. The Trifold bench is located on both rear sides and is included on all floorplans of this model. It provides an easy transition between being a bench seat to becoming a table with drink holders. The Explore MAX Dual comes with an upgraded Fusion RA-670 stereo, (4) 6” Fusion XS speakers, a Fusion 8 channel amp, and a subwoofer. Along with those great features all Explore Dual Engine’s receive a Linq Accessory bundle that provides more cupholders, dry storage, dedicated cooler space on the deck, and more!
We want to welcome you to ask any questions you may have about this new technology! Although this boat seems to be loaded now, from what I’ve heard recently, This is just the beginning……
