Trade-A-Boat

bowrider and with luxurious bolster-

style swivel seats to match.

Our demo boat had the sports

windscreen, which looked great but I

found a little low so I would choose the

taller option. Underneath each console

a pair of innovative cantilevered

hatches provides access to cavernous

storage. Overhead is a basic arch/

Targa that folds manually. Other than

a mount for the anchor light and a

secure frame for the optional biminis

this has little function, though you

could mount a pair of tower speakers

and some water toy brackets up here if

you needed to.

Out back is another dual-side lounge

area with chaise-style rear-facing

backrests. The leatherette upholstery

is single-tone but beautifully trimmed,

thickly padded and includes armrests,

refreshment holders and storage.

Another doorway leads to a rear deck

with a stainless steel tow point and a

drop-down ladder. I really liked the

synthetic woven-look flooring that

flows through the boat – it’s simple,

attractive, hard wearing and practical.

The Solstice also included the

ingenious fold-out amenity tent with

Porta Potti.

Xtreme Marine had chosen a

Mercury Verado Pro 200hp FourStroke

outboard for the 250DC and its overall

power on the Performance Package 2

hull was most pleasing. It obviously

lacked the extra 100hp we enjoyed

with the Crowne but its grunt was

more than competent and still great

fun – she produced a pleasing 34kt at

WOT. The helm also features flush-

mount controls and Faria gauges, with

optional VesselView and GPS.

THE WRAP

The Harris brochure claims it “delivers

exceptional performance combined

with a stable and safe platform.

Incredible manoeuvrability and

control are at your fingertips on every

one of our models.” I’d add thrilling

performance and a magic-carpet ride.

On this test, I enjoyed a pair of the

most inviting, comfortable, quiet and

thrilling aquatic entertainers I have

ever had the pleasure to experience.

Take the time out to go for a run, then

you’ll know you’re living!

Harris Solstice 250DC

facts & figures

PRICED FROM

A$79,000

OPTIONS FITTED

Lighting package, seagrass flooring, low

tinted windscreen, change room, ski

pole, sport double bimini

PRICE AS TESTED

A$109,000

GENERAL

MATERIAL Aluminium

TYPE Pontoon boat

LENGTH 8.28m (27ft 2in)

BEAM 2.59 m (8ft 6in)

WEIGHT 1623kg dry (no engines, fuel,

batteries or trailer)

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE (DAY) 14

FUEL 181L

WATER N/A

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL Mercury Verado Pro

200hp

TYPE Supercharged inline six-cylinder

four-stroke outboard

DISPLACEMENT 2598cc

WEIGHT 288kg

GEAR RATIO 1.85:1

PROPELLER Enertia stainless steel SST

15x15in

SUPPLIED BY

EADES XTREME MARINE

24 Sturt Street, Echuca, Vic 3564

PHONE (03) 5482 2333

WEB http://www.xtrememarine.net.au

EMAIL [email protected]

“While the Solstice is considerably

cheaper than the premium Crowne it’s

just as functional and comfortable”

44 trade aboat.com.au

Harris Crowne SL250 / Solstice 250DC