The Harris Solstice: Luxury & Versatility
Harris Boats has a long history of building quality pontoon boats. Harris has been in the pontoon business for over 60 years now, and the company is as strong as ever. Pontoon boats have come a long way, and the demand has shifted from small, affordable, basic pontoons meant for cruising at low speeds to luxury boats with performance characteristics and amenities that rival many bowriders. The Harris Solstice might just be the perfect pontoon boat to fit the demands of the market.
Harris Pontoons Product Lineup
To better understand where the Solstice falls in terms of features and amenities, it might help to understand the variety of models currently offered by Harris. The Harris Pontoon lineup features 6 different models: 2 value models & 4 premium models.
Starting form the entry level side of things (relatively speaking), Harris starts out with the Cruiser series followed by the Sunliner series. These boats are high quality pontoons with less bells and whistles than the premium models. Their interiors feature less trim and less available options. They also have lower max. hp ratings. The largest motor that can be rigged on these models is 200hp.
The premium models start with the Solstice series, followed by the Grand Mariner, Crowne, & V270. These boats all feature many more bells & whistles, more available options as demanded by many buyers, and significantly higher max hp ratings. The Solstice series has the luxury feel and high hp capacity demanded by many buyers, without taking the price jump to the higher end models. This makes the Solstice one of the best selling luxury pontoon boats on the market today.
Harris Solstice Models
For 2018, the Harris Solstice is offered in 5 different models: 220, 240, 230 DC, 250 DC, & RD 260. These boats all share similar design characteristics such as exterior rails and panels, similar furniture trim, similar decks and undercarriage, and similar helm stations. Let’s take a look at some of the features shared within the Harris Solstice series of pontoons.
Harris Solstice Exterior Rails
All Harris Solstice models share a similar exterior styling. This design features an extensive rail pattern, or exoskeleton. These rails give the boat a much more premium look, as well as protecting the panels from damage. These rails are available in the standard silver color or the black anodized upgrade.
Harris Solstice Interior
All Harris Solstice models feature the same level of interior trim, regardless of layout design. There are approximately 10 different floor plans currently available on the Solstice. They all feature very high backrests. This is difficult to find in most pontoon boats on the market today. These high backrests provide a great sense of security in the boat, especially for children. When the water gets rough, you feel like you are sitting safely in the boat rather than on top of the boat.
Other common interior features include flip-down armrests, wraparound seating, dual hinged storage cushions, and much more. The interior is available in 3 different color options. You will also have the choice between the standard interior or the pillow-top upgrade.
Harris Solstice Helm
The driver’s helm on the Harris Solstice is a premium helm with a great design. This is a fully-fiberglass helm with built-in storage underneath. The helm features a built-in cupholder, lockable glovebox, optional touch-screen GPS, and a vinyl brow to block the glare of the sun. The driver’s helm is one area that many companies try to cut costs as this is an expensive piece, but Harris knows how important the look and feel of this helm is, so no corners were cut in the design process.
Harris Solstice Arch Tower
One of the growing trends in pontoon boats is to add an arch tower. Adding an arch to a boat completely changes the look, and gives a very sporty feel to the boat. An arch should be functional as well, and the Harris Delta Arch Tower has that covered. This arch is designed with a tow point and can be used to tow a wakeboarder. This is a very rigid tower that is mounted to the deck of the boat. It comes standard with a bimini top which folds backwards to provide shade for the rear seating area. It is also a folding arch, so it can be easily lowered to accommodate low clearance doors and storage areas.
Harris Solstice Model Overview
The above mentioned features are just a few of the items you will find on all Harris Solstice models. If you would like more information on construction details, we suggest you visit the Harris website at https://www.harrisboats.com/pontoon-boat-construction/. You might also check out article “Why Should I Buy A Harris Pontoon.” Now let’s take a look at the different models in the Solstice lineup.
Harris Solstice 220 & 240
The original Harris Solstice models were the 220 & 240. 220 & 240 refers to the sizes of the boats, but don’t let these numbers fool you. These boats actually measure significantly larger than the numbers indicate. The 220’s overall length is 23’11” and the 240 measures 25’9″. Talk about getting a good bang for your buck! This is important to consider when looking at the competition. Be sure you are really comparing apples to apples when doing your research.
The 220 & 240 Solstice models are traditional pontoon boats with a single driver’s helm. There are approx. 7 different floor plan options on these models. The most popular layouts are the SL (single real lounge flip seat) and CWDH (center walk-thru dual-helm seat). The SL layout is especially popular is it is basically 2 boats in 1. It gives you the standard L-Shape seating layout when you require more seating inside the boat. You can also flip the rear backrest to convert it to a rear-facing lounge setup. By adding the safety rail package, you can safely ride on the back of the boat while underway.
Regarding horsepower capacity, the Harris Solstice 240 with a P3 tri-toon package is rated for 300hp. Although upgrading to a tri-toon package is optional on the Solstice, you would be hard pressed to find many boats in dealer inventory with a 2-tube setup.
Harris Solstice DC 230 & 250
New for 2015, Harris introduced the Solstice DC models. DC refers to “Dual Console” which means the boat has 2 fiberglass helms instead of 1. This design was inspired by fiberglass bowriders. The growing trend of people making the switch from bowriders to pontoon boats was obvious to Harris, but standard pontoon boats were not able to give the same feel as a bowrider. The only protection from wind in pontoon boats was the small windscreen for the driver, but this didn’t help the rest of the passengers on those chilly days on the water.
Enter the Harris Solstice DC. This design gives the same feeling for the passengers in the back of the boat as they would find in a bowrider. The DC models feature a full, wraparound windshield. This windshield is available in the full height, or the low profile design for more of a sporty look. You can even opt for a tinted windshield from the factory!
The Harris Solstice DC is a great crossover boat for people who are used to the protection a bowrider offers while getting all the advantages of a pontoon boat.
Harris Solstice RD 260
To add to the versatility of the Solstice lineup, Harris added the RD 260 in 2016. This is a modern design of the “double decker” pontoon that is a big hit for many families who keep their boat on a lake. This boat features a very beefy frame and ladder leading to a top deck which shares the styling of the Solstice series. The top deck is an open platform which has a fiberglass ladder coming down and extending over the back of the boat. This design is a huge hit for families with children who can’t get enough of the water.
The top deck is also a great place to lay out and catch some rays for the adults. The upper deck is equipped with more speakers and stereo controls, so the kids won’t be the only ones enjoying this great model. The boat comes standard with larger pontoon tubes (27″). This helps accommodate the extra weight of the boat and ensure it still has great performance characteristics.
Keep in mind that this is a big boat, so if you trailer every weekend it might not be the best option for you. It measures 28’3″ overall length, and the height could make clearance an issue in some cases. But if you are looking for a double decker pontoon, you will be hard pressed to find a better option than the Solstice RD 260.
Summary
As you can see by now, the Harris Solstice is a very versatile model from Harris that fits the needs of many different boaters. The 220 & 240 are great options for boaters who want a luxury pontoon with high hp capacity without breaking the bank. The 230 & 250 DC are perfect for people who want a pontoon with the comfort and security of a bowrider with a windshield. And the RD 260 is the perfect party boat for families who love to relax and play.
If you are in the market for a luxury pontoon, swing by your local Harris Pontoon dealer and check out the Solstice Series. We are confident you will find a model that fits your needs, and then some! For more info on the Harris Solstice, check out the Harris website at harrisboats.com.