Harris Boat Decision?

[suzukipro]

So I've convinced myself and wife that we'll be purchasing / ordering a new 24' Harris Tri-toon around the Feb 2016 time frame . It will be my first ever boat and will be docked and used on Lake Winnebago in WI and likely stored here as well. I'm looking for some suggestions or pro's & Cons between the "Sunliner" and "Cruiser" models if anyone is familiar with those two Harris boats. From what I can tell the Cruiser is significantly cheaper to purchase and is very similar, but without some of the features being standard although some are identical from a customization stand point. Anyhow any help with this decision and any other advice is surely appreciated while I begin lining things up and begin looking forward to boating next year.

Regards,

Eric

[crookedlaker]

I have a 2014 cruiser and i love it
my dealer normally stocks the cruiser and then some of the upper end boats like the solstice, he normally does not
have any of the sunliners in the lot. He is also a bennington dealer. The cruiser has a little different under-structure than the other models but most of the other components are identical. i did under skin my boat this spring and was impressed on the cross-members on 16" centers, everything on the boat is well built. I will admit I am a little partial to Harris as they are built in my home town, I do like to support my local economy. I will probably be looking at a 22" cruiser with a 150 merc in a couple of years. Good luck on your new boat what ever you choose.

Here is a photo of my cruiser You can see my neighbors 22' cruiser behind my boat on the lift
Mike

[suzukipro]

I'll be getting the performance 3rd toon option on whatever boat I get with a Mercury 150 XL 4 Stroke (Made here in my home town ) and it includes the full skin kit with the 3rd toon option. The rub rail on the Sunliner is different than the cruiser and I believe the cross members are a little closer than they are on the Cruiser. The other stand out to me is the mooring cover doesn't snap and comes with a quick release on the Sunliner. While these are nice options I'm not sure It justifies the added expense that comes along with the it, but maybe I'm wrong and I should consider spending more...

[garygve]

I have the 22' Solstice, the one advantage with the Sunliner is the easy clip cover they don't have metal snaps but plastic clips that snap over the 2nd rail if your going to be covering and uncovering the pontoon a lot it really goes fast. I also had Skipper Buds install Sea Legs which is a hydraulic lift that's mounted under the deck makes it easy for docking especially if the water is rough. If you don't have a lift you might want to consider them although their pricey about $7000 installed. They extend 6' down from the deck there good for shallow lakes I have the pontoon on Shawano, its shallow near the shore like Winnebago. I ordered the 12' lighted bimini top which is nice for the added shade area. I also have the Sea Grass flooring on the whole floor which is really easy to clean and its not hot on bare feet. I'm happy with mine its a 2014, also on the one picture I polished the toons and applied Sharkhide it was a lot of work I won't do that again.

[zoom650]

IThe other stand out to me is the mooring cover doesn't snap and comes with a quick release on the Sunliner. While these are nice options I'm not sure It justifies the added expense that comes along with the it, but maybe I'm wrong and I should consider spending more...

If you're comparing snaps to the square plastic rail clips, the clips are far easier and faster. First, position the velcro slits around the bimini support legs. This positions the cover to clip into place. Then go up under and straighten up the 4 support poles.

[suzukipro]

I have the 22' Solstice, the one advantage with the Sunliner is the easy clip cover they don't have metal snaps but plastic clips that snap over the 2nd rail if your going to be covering and uncovering the pontoon a lot it really goes fast. I also had Skipper Buds install Sea Legs which is a hydraulic lift that's mounted under the deck makes it easy for docking especially if the water is rough. If you don't have a lift you might want to consider them although their pricey about $7000 installed. They extend 6' down from the deck there good for shallow lakes I have the pontoon on Shawano, its shallow near the shore like Winnebago. I ordered the 12' lighted bimini top which is nice for the added shade area. I also have the Sea Grass flooring on the whole floor which is really easy to clean and its not hot on bare feet. I'm happy with mine its a 2014, also on the one picture I polished the toons and applied Sharkhide it was a lot of work I won't do that again.

Very nice boat! I believe I'll skip on the polished toons, but thought it would be a good idea to sharkhide them before it hits the water? The boat will stay in the water all season and I won't have the option of a boat lift being docked at a locked public slip for the summer. I plan on going with the full dark teak vinyl flooring to avoid dealing with carpet being damp, any other suggestions or options come to mind that I should to consider.

Thanks,

Eric

[zoom650]

... , any other suggestions or options come to mind that I should to consider.

Thanks,

Eric

Options?, Hehe. Floteboats have a few!

Horsepower? .. You need at least a 150 or you won't be taking advantage of the tritoon performance. I got the 150. It's great. Would I like a little more? Yeah, ,,, No, wait, .. not a little more. A lot more.

Also, dual batteries. Courtesy floor lights. Upgrade your radio and speakers. I like larger gas tanks. Docking LED. Raised helm station is nice. GPS/Fishfinder. Tow bar.

The above are a few of the choices I made on my Solstice. I added more than what I listed above, but these are the ones that added more to my enjoyment of my boat.

[suzukipro]

I'll be hanging a Merc 150 XL off the back, and will go with the following options at this point
changing room
adj / reclining lowback seat
depth sounder
extra speakers
courtesy lights
12' bimini
performance plus (tri-toon package)
ski-tow bar
full teak vinyl flooring
5 step fold down ladder

Hopefully that above options will be well worth the money? maybe I should consider a 175 Verado on the back though?

[garygve]

I heard the teak is hot on bare feet and fades quicker because of the darker color, I don't know for sure because I don't have it just telling you what others have said.

[suzukipro]

I heard the teak is hot on bare feet and fades quicker because of the darker color, I don't know for sure because I don't have it just telling you what others have said.

Good to know! it's also the most expensive option available, wonder if the woven teak is a little cooler since it's lighter colored? It is also has a rubber backed cushion if I'm not mistaken which might add a touch of comfort...

[crookedlaker]

Oh also get the POLK stereo, it is Bluetooth and you can also add XM radio
I also added the electric Binimi as we swim off the boat and also have a low bridge to go under, Makes raising and lowering
the bimini a breeze.

sounds like you are ordering my next boat

MIke

[zoom650]

... maybe I should consider a 175 Verado on the back though?

If you have it in your budget, I would. My Harris dealer's base engine now is the 175. You're bumping up the horsepower, so consider variable assist power steering.

As for floors, I have vinyl and like it. It doesn't get so hot a bucket of lake water won't cool it down, and it washes up nicely.

I did the Polk upgrade, and didn't activate the Sirius. Instead I've got 900 songs/playlists on my iPhone, and Bluetooth them right to the Polk.

A note about the reclining seats. I don't think you mentioned size of the vessel. If you're in the 22/23 ft range, the Captain chair will not have room to recline due to how close the rear sofa behind it is. I bought the pair and the second in command seat operates fine with plenty of room. The Captain's seat is pretty jammed in there to argue it reclines. There's some adjustment, but the room is not there to recline.

[garygve]

Before you make your decision you may want to price out the Solstice, the Harris rep. said it is their most popular model and by the time you add the options to the Sunliner its not that much more to order the Solstice. The Solstice base price includes the Polk stereo, Docking lights, Lux low back that Reclines, a Upgraded Helm, and a Fancy detailed fence railing design that the rep. said is expensive for them to have made that way. I priced the Sunliner with the Polk stereo and the docking lights vs the Solstice with the options you listed and its just over a $1000 add to go with the Solstice that is why I upgraded to the Solstice I'm always getting complements on the detailed fencing . Your going to be spending over $40,000 for the pontoon and your probably not going to be ordering too many new pontoons in your lifetime so now is not the time to skimp on your order sheet. If there is some option that you think you would like order it now, you will probably have the pontoon for a long time and the added cost now will be worth it over the life of the pontoon. I like the rope lighting under the seat base if your going to do any boating at night, its only $170 more then the courtesy lighting. If you never rode on a Tritoon your going to like the way it rides on rough water. Good luck with your decision, it took me 2 months trying to decide what options to order.

[Bamaman]

Your dealer should be attending Harris' New Boat Show in the near future, where they place the upcoming model years' stock orders.

Most major manufacturers all have the same dealer meetings where they are showing the new models and highlight changes, etc. At these meetings, incentives may be offered to the dealers to fill up manufacturing slots. One year, Manitou offered a ETEC 150 HO for the price of a standard 150 hp ETEC, $700 in free options and a 1/2 price ski locker in the center toons.

I'd suggest talking to your Harris dealer to see what sale incentives are expected in the near future to give you the best value. Maybe you can get him to put your boat on a stock order with some freebie. It's not like you'll be needing the boat until Sping, 2016.

[suzukipro]

Any recommendations on life jackets, I have three children under 8Yrs old and want to get them something that fits each of them perfectly. I'll also need an anchor and different rope to dock the boat / tow rope and a decent tube for pulling the kids around.

I'm currently waiting to hear back on the cost comparison between the sunliner and cruiser with the options I'm looking for. Then it's off to the bank with a long winter to follow...

Thanks,

Eric