Both the 23 Aurora LE RF and 25 LX RFXW blew us away with their elegance and performance. With these boats, days out on the lake will always be effortlessly fun. Let’s take a closer look.

There’s no doubt that Manitou builds an impressive lineup of boats, and often the lion’s share of attention goes to those beautiful twin-engine outboard models. However, the Aurora LE can easily be viewed as their bread and butter. It’s an incredibly popular model and it’s not hard to see why.

With the V-Toon hull, the 23 Aurora LE RF we tested handled beautifully, especially since it was paired with the Mercury 200hp outboard engine. It’s a great combination. Beside the Mercury power, you’ll also find an easy-to-use boarding ladder that matches the stainless steel ski/tow bar.

“All Manitou boats with three tubes are equipped with our patented V-Toon technology,” shared Garret Koschak, Manitou’s global product manager. “This is where the center pontoon is mounted 5 1/4 inches lower than the outer tube to create that V-hull effect that allows these boats to corner so well with a single or dual engine.”

The RF floorplan features two front loungers which mirror the rear loungers in the back. Then the captain and co-captain both have the same comfortable mid-back chairs. The Aurora LE also has a center in-tube storage so you can fit all the water toys and other necessities you’ll need on the lake. There’s plenty of storage under the seats as well.

“On all our Manitou boats from our entry-level all the way up to our high-ends, the Garmin digital dashboards come standard,” explained Koschak.

The Aurora LE we tested came equipped with the premium package which is a new options package that Manitou introduced this year. It includes the upgraded Fusion RA 210 stereo and the rear Fusion stereo remote that’s embedded behind the co-captain’s chair beside the left rear lounger. It also includes LED speakers, plus the dual battery smart switch.

The boat we tested also featured the tan themed interior. With the Aurora LE, Manitou simplified the options quite a bit in 2021 and this carried over into 2022. This gives you a choice of three wall colors, a choice of an accent decal or not, and then a white and gray or tan interior theme. The interior theme ties to the fiberglass color, the furniture color and the flooring color. This makes it so all your colors are coordinated and custom matched together. No matter what you choose, you’ll end up with a stylish and tasteful color scheme.

One of the features Manitou introduced in 2021 was their integrated cupholders which were very popular. On the Aurora LE we counted no less than 11 cupholders, so you’ll never have a problem finding a spot to put your drink.

Overall, this boat has a pleasing and functional layout that would work great for families. There are also plenty of fun features that’ll make good days on the lake completely effortless. The boat’s performance is also phenomenal, thanks to the V-Toon technology. You’ll definitely want to check out the 23 Aurora LE RF if you’re in the market for a new boat this summer.

Like the 23 Aurora LE RF, this boat features the patented Manitou V-Toon technology. This allows the 25 LX to get up on plane quickly and corner with the ease of a fiberglass sport boat. Plus, you’ll find it really shines when it comes to watersports. You’ll be leaving the no wake zone behind every chance you get.

At the helm you’ll find the 7-inch Garmin GPSMAP touchscreen. Featuring touchscreens in the dash has become very popular in the pontoon world and Manitou was one of the first manufacturers to exclusively offer them.

The bright sunlight-readable Garmin displays with sonar support, making it so the 25 LX comes equipped with a digital chart plotter that allows you to navigate new territory and monitor your boat. With this nifty touchscreen, you don’t need any other gauges because all your information is right there on this Garmin to the right of the steering wheel.

Then to the left of the steering wheel you’ve got your JL Audio stereo controls. Then also nestled in the co-captain’s dash is another control to the JL stereo system, plus another in the side of the portside lounger in the stern. That’s a total of three places from which to control the tunes on this boat.

This boat also features a digital system that allows you to control your vessel with the help of a remote key fob and your smartphone. With this technology, you can power on and off, get diagnostics, dim lights and operate your boat.

Our testing boat also featured the Platinum package, which includes the power folding sport tower, woven flooring, center in-tube storage, LED exterior lighting and LED table base and seat base lighting. We found this package to make the boat even more comfortable and eye-catching.

We loved the sporty look of the watersports tower that comes complete with power controls, a Bimini top and a tow pylon. You can easily raise and lower the tower with the tap of a finger right from the Garmin digital dashboard. Plus, the optional JL speakers are a nice added touch on our testing vessel.

From bow to stern, the symmetry on the 25 LX is undeniable. From the dual consoles to the matching helm chairs, the layout is both attractive and well thought-out for optimal functionality. The wakeboard tower ties everything together perfectly with its sporty feel and bold look.

Not only is this a good-looking pontoon boat, but it’s also very comfortable. It’s been tailor-made and we love the colors and the style. The two-tone white and gray color scheme is elegant and the detail on the stitching is impressive. Manitou’s 25 LX RFXW definitely deserves some attention if you’re in the market for a new boat this year.