FloteBote Boats Review

Harris FloteBote Marine was founded in 1957 by the Harris brothers as Harris Manufacturing and was one of the first American companies to manufacture pontoon boats. In 1983, the company purchased Kayot Corporation and thus became the manufacturer of Kayot deckboats. In 2005, the Brunswick Boat Group of the Brunswick Corporation bought out Harris FloteBote Marine and now manufactures more pleasure boats than any other company in the world.

Harris FloteBotes have led in technological advances in many areas. Early on, Harris invented a “Dolphin” nose cone that eliminated the need for splash fins. Harris was also the first company to use aluminum anodizing to prevent corrosion. Sterndrive propulsion on pontoon boats was another innovation by the Harris company. The Total Torque Reduction (TTR) deck riser was patented in 1998 as a new system.

Harris pontoon boats are designed for pleasure and leisure. The company focuses on style and comfort in their boat design. Boats are designed for day outings or fishing with multiple comfort features.

Pros

• Comfort and pleasure features in every model: changing rooms, cupholders, waste baskets, MP3 jacks.
• Style: every model is sleek and stylish.
• Quality: Marine Industry Certified (MIC).
• Customer Satisfaction: National Marine Manufacturers Association Customer Service Index (CSI) Award eight years in a row; J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction award for pontoon boats.

Cons

• Speed: top speed for some models only 25 miles per hour.
• Use: not for river use; only open (lake) water.
• Motor: works best in good summer conditions, not in winter weather with cold and wind.
• Accessories: luxury accessories like a grill, speakers, and pop-out footrests are expensive and add up quickly.

Featured Models

Super Sunliner LTD 200

Super Sunliner LTD 220

Grand Mariner 220

Super Sunliner 230

Fisherman 230

Super Sunliner LTD 240

Royal Heritage 230

Crowne 230

Grand Mariner 240

Grand Mariner 230 SE

Grand Mariner 230 SEL

Super Sunliner LX 250

Royal Heritage 250

Crowne 250

Grand Mariner 250

Royal Heritage 270

Sunliner 180

Sunliner 200

Sunliner 220

Sunliner 240

Fisherman 180

Super Sunliner 200

Super Sunliner 220

Super Sunliner 240

Classic 220

Classic 240

Conclusion

Harris FloteBotes are designed for a pleasure day on the lake, but they don’t have everything. A frequent praise for newer models is that they do have a lot of storage space, nice for a long day or frequent trips; other favorite features include private changing rooms and lots of seating capacity. However, many other luxury items must be added on for an additional price, so if you’re looking for something already set up with everything you could want, the Harris FloteBote may not be your top choice.

The Harris FloteBote company does have a lot going for it. It is well-established with a great history of customer satisfaction and industry innovation, so any owner can feel secure that they have a good product that they can enjoy for many years. If you want a fun, relaxing day on the lake, the Harris FloteBote looks like a popular option.