Triton Industries, builder of the Manitou brand of boats, was issued a U.S. patent (No. US 7,950,340) for its V-toon style pontoon boat. The design is featured in every triple hull being produced under the Manitou brand name. Since the hull debuted in the 2005 model year, the company has worked diligently to secure a broad patent to protect the product.
The patent was issued May 31 and it covers the company's high-performance pontoon boat, which has handling characteristics that replicate those of an exceptional V-hull.
One of the features of the patent is the differential depth between the inner and outer pontoon tubes, which creates a sufficient amount of deadrise to allow for traditional V-hull handling. Another key component of the invention is the inclusion of hull features to enhance the planing, performance and efficiency of the craft.
Within the Manitou lineup all SHP models and VP models are covered under the patent. The SHP models are the higher-performing hulls, and they can achieve speeds above 50 mph. The VP models are limited to 150 hp and achieve speeds above 40 mph. For more information visit www.manitouboats.com.
