into the helm chair, I planted the
throttles and she skimmed easily onto
the plane with terrific acceleration and
very little bow lift, jetting me upstream
as if on a magic carpet. To my great
surprise she turned easily, skipped
oncoming wakes with ease and
rocketed through to an exhilarating
80km/h (50mph) at wide-open
throttle. “Wow! How good is this?” I
thought – and then remembered that
Harris offers a twin-outboard option.
TheVerado’sdigitalthrottleand
power-assist steering make driving
abreezeanddealerPaulexplained
that the secrets to the ride are in the
construction. Firstly Harris’s Total
TorsionReductionSystemwithfull-
length underbelly lining keeps chop
slapdown,andourdemonstration
package was optioned with the
Performance Package 3, featuring
vented strakes on the pontoons
assisting the tracking and lift. The
other big secret is that the central
pontoonis25mmlowerthanthe
outsidepair,givingthehullreduced
drag surfaces and creating greater
controlatspeedwhilealsoassisting
the turning ability.Harris offers a plethora of options – a
‘build your own layout’ design service,
performance and saltwater packages,
and a wide selection of colours,
textures and trims, all in a trailerable
package, though at just over 2.5m
beam, wide load regulations apply.
It’s so quiet, so comfortable and so
smooth – I never imagined you could
have such performance and enjoyment
in a pontoon boat. Harris claims: “We
define the essence of relaxed boating.”
Yep,andtheyalsopackapunchwhen
youwantit.SOLSTICE DC250
TheHarrisSolsticeDC250isjustoneof
themanyalternativesinHarris’sworld
of pontoon boats. While the Solstice
is considerably cheaper than the
premiumCrowneit’sjustasfunctional
andcomfortable–andinadual-
consolelayoutIfindmostappealing.
Whileitisn’tascurvaceousas
the moulded fibreglass finish of the
Crowne – two-tone powdercoated
aluminium panels line the artfully
sculpted sidewall frames, providing
amoretraditionalpontoonboat
presentation–itstillhasgreatvisualHIGHS
- Brilliant performance for a big, flat
platform - High level of comfort
- Beautiful finish
- Dual-console layout
LOWS
- Needs a little sounder/chartplotter
- I’d prefer the higher windscreen option
appeal and packs a very lavish interior.
I really liked the sporty demeanour
of the dual-console with its full-width
tinted windscreen and opening centre
walkthrough. Sure, it separates the
party just a bit, but it also makes great
sense when the weather turns sour and
you need protection on the trip home.
The Solstice has a slightly smaller
bow platform but retains the large
lounges up front, as well as the handy
side access that makes boarding from a
pontoon just so easy.
The consoles and dashboard are
both beautifully appointed, similar
in style to any premium American42 trade aboat.com.au