Harris Order Time

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Icewoz
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Harris Order Time

#1 Post by Icewoz » Mon Jul 28, 2014 5:51 pm

I just ordered a Harris Solstice 220. Does anyone know what the typical wait times are for getting a boat after ordering? The dealer says 6-8 which basically puts us at the end of the season.

Thanks!!!
Steve
Steve W.
'15 Harris Solstice 220 CWDH, PIII tritoon
Non-Verado 150hp Mercury w/Enertia 14p

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Coldbrew
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Re: Harris Order Time

#2 Post by Coldbrew » Mon Jul 28, 2014 7:13 pm

I don't know about Harris, but our Premier took 3 months. I would believe the dealer. He has the best info from the factory and from the history of other orders.

I have been told that this has been a banner year for selling boats. I don't know if it's just in our area, but my dealer told me that Premier was having a hard time keeping up. I would say that Harris and other manufacturers are probably in the same...er um....boat.

Congrats on your purchase. It will be worth the wait. :thumbsup
2014 Premier Gemini 201
Tow Vehicle: 2019 F-150
Home Port: Newfound Lake, NH

Bamaman
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Re: Harris Order Time

#3 Post by Bamaman » Tue Jul 29, 2014 3:57 am

Boat manufacturers are going into their slowest time of the year. They're now producing 2015 model boats and getting ready for Fall dealer meetings where dealers place their orders for next year. The concept is that orders are spread throughout every month of the year so manufacturers can avoid laying off employees in slow production times.

Dealers with 2014 inventories should be willing to deal, as they're now past their prime selling time for the year.

I would think a boat ordered now would come in faster than if you ordered it in February--after all the boat shows.

And don't let any salesman tell you how good the marine business is. We're still experiencing an economic downturn in many industries, including marine, motorcycles and recreational vehicles. Generally, business still sucks and it still should be a buyer's market in 2015.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150

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zoom650
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Re: Harris Order Time

#4 Post by zoom650 » Thu Jul 31, 2014 5:22 pm

If inventories caught up with production, maybe 6-8 weeks. My Solstice was ordered in early spring and took 11 weeks.

The standard boat show and showroom promise is 6-8 weeks.
Michael and Laura
'12 Ford F150 Lariat SuperCrew Ecoboost
'14 Harris Solstice 220, P3 tritoon, Mercury Verado 150, Enertia 14p.
prior boat: '02 Century 2600CC, twin Yamaha EFI 200's, full instruments.

smoker62
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Re: Harris Order Time

#5 Post by smoker62 » Thu Jul 31, 2014 5:59 pm

I was promised 4-5 when I ordered in april . Mine took a little over 9 weeks.
2014 Crest Classic 250 SLR2 , Mercury 300 Verado Pro , Mercury Enertia Prop
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Coldbrew
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Re: Harris Order Time

#6 Post by Coldbrew » Fri Aug 01, 2014 3:56 am

This was just in our local paper today. The people being interviewed are where I bought my boat.

http://www.unionleader.com/article/2014 ... /140809956
2014 Premier Gemini 201
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Home Port: Newfound Lake, NH

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Icewoz
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Re: Harris Order Time

#7 Post by Icewoz » Tue Sep 30, 2014 8:26 pm

Ordered on July 28th and received on Sept. 8th.

http://www.stevewoznicki.com/zenphoto/i ... stice-220/
Steve W.
'15 Harris Solstice 220 CWDH, PIII tritoon
Non-Verado 150hp Mercury w/Enertia 14p

Bamaman
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Re: Harris Order Time

#8 Post by Bamaman » Tue Sep 30, 2014 9:03 pm

Don't always believe dealers' statements about how great the retail boat market is. Pontoons/tritoons may be a little better in sales than $70K bassboats, however the industry still "sucks." I don't see anyone building new boat dealerships in our area--after all boat sales went south in 2008.

All boat manufacturers want to produce boats 12 months out of the year--for build efficiency and to avoid having to layoff workers slow times of the year. Manufacturers are looking for dealers that will "reserve" production slots throughout the year.

If I was going to order a boat this time of the year, I'd be looking for the dealer to order it when he went to the Fall Order Writing meetings with Harris. All dealers will receive some "freebies" and discounts if they (1) stagger production slots, (2) order so many boats, and (3) order boats going to the Boat Shows.

Manitou one year offered dealers an Etec HO motor for the price of the non-HO motor, a free $700 option package and a center toon storage compartment for 1/2 price at Fall Order Writing. Some of the outboard motor manufacturers will offer an extra year's warranty early in their model year.

And if a dealer invests substantial time and money to go to the big city boat shows in January and February, boat manufacturers are often willing to throw in special sales incentives--to buy sales from the competition.

Many dealers will let boat show buyers take delivery in April or May--avoiding storage fees for a few months.

Waiting just a little longer to order your boat may come with some benefits.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150

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