Trade-A-Boat — 490 2017

glasswindows,LEDoverheadlighting
andevenatowpointforwatersports.
Perhapsbestofall,theHarris
Crowne250DCisbuilttocarry16
people,andkeepthecrowdcosyand
comfy while still leaving room to
dance.Thereisahugearrayofseating
andloungingoptions,withtwin
loungesatthefrontandastainless
steel gate leading to a bow platform
that’s the perfect staging point for
aquaticanticsinoroutofthewater.
There’s a handy side-access door
intheportmid-sectionofthecraft
and a further three-seater lounge
facingthehelm.Thedriveristreated
toanarrayofinvitingcreature
comforts with thickly upholstered
andfullyadjustableskipper’sseat
plus a dashboard that seems lifted
directlyfromaluxurysportsvehicle.
Fariagauges,digitaldepthandGPS
areallstandardontheCrowneyet

the navigator in me would prefer

some space for a small sounder/GPS

screen rather than just the digital

display. A combination chartplotter

is irreplaceable at night when the

reflections play havoc with your

visionandHarrisofferstheoption

in a revised dash.

Outbackisapairofrear-facing

chaise lounges that complete the

premiumluxurypackageinthe

Crowne. There are fold-down

armrestsandofcoursenoshortage

of refreshment holders for all.

Entertaining demands cool storage

andthereisafullylinedmulti-use

cool box under every seat. There’s tons

morestorageunderthehelmconsole,

whichalsoprovidesaccesstotheback

ofthedashforservicing.Whenthesun

beats down, twin biminis off either

side of the Targa provide shade, and

an optional JL Audio Diamond sound

system with subwoofer, amp and

Bluetooth connectivity supplies the

booming vibes to rock the river. There’s

alsoaremovablebarbecueandevena

nifty fold-out amenity tent with Porta

Potti for when nature calls.

I moved from bow to stern imagining

life with such a beautiful craft in so

many destinations, but my feelings

turnedtoawewhenIsteppedout

back to find the gutsy 300hp Mercury

Verado four-stroke outboard purring

likeapantherreadytostrike.Jumping

Harris Crowne 250SL

facts & figures

PRICED FROM

A$105,000

OPTIONS FITTED

Change room, double bimini, Stereo

upgrade

PRICE AS TESTED

A$159,000

GENERAL

MATERIALAluminium pontoons,

fibreglass sides

LENGTH8.28m (27ft 2in)

BEAM2.59m (8ft 6in)

WEIGHT1950kg dry (no engines, fuel,

batteries or trailer)

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE (DAY) 16

FUEL181L

WATERN/A

ENGINE

MAKE/MODELMercury Verado Pro

300hp

TYPESupercharged inline six-cylinder

four-stroke outboard

DISPLACEMENT2598cc

WEIGHT288kg

GEAR RATIO1.75:1

PROPELLEREnertia stainless steel 16in

pitch

SUPPLIED BY

EADES XTREME MARINE

24 Sturt Street, Echuca, Vic 3564

PHONE(03) 5482 2333

WEBwww.xtrememarine.net.au

[email protected]

HIGHS

• Brilliant performance for a big,
  flat platform


• Overall comfort for 16 passengers


• Beautiful finish


• Packed full of surprises

LOWS

• Needs a little sounder/chartplotter

The boat you want is easier to find tradeboats.com.au^41

Harris Crowne SL250 / Solstice 250DC