2015 Harris Grand Mariner SL 250: Video Pontoon Boat Review
We spend a day at the lake on a 2015 Harris Grand Mariner SL 250 pontoon boat.
March 9, 2015
You may have seen our video boat review of the 2011 Harris Grand Mariner SL 250, or our test of the 2013 Harris Grand Mariner SL 250. So why then, would you watch this new video review of the 2015 model? Because year after year, Harris works to improve their boats. And there are some pretty cool details about this new model that you won't find on the older ones. Let's take a look.
Boat Test Notes
Concept
Take a high-end, popular pontoon boat model and make it even better.
Construction
- Seat bases are molded polyethylene, tubes are aluminum, and the deck is pressure-treated ply (which comes with a no-rot guarantee).
- Cross members run 16” on center, creating a strong, rugged frame. (Most builds are on 24" centers).
- M-brackets attach the pontoon tubes to the cross members.
- Fasteners are a step beyond the norm. Harris “tech” screws are put in with enough force that they friction-weld.
Note - for a more in-depth look at how this boat is built, watch Jeff Hemmel's review, which spends a lot of time dissecting construction.
Performance
- With the Mercury Verado 300 we came darn close to 50 MPH and easily cruised in the upper 30's.
- Compared to powering the boat with a Verado 225, top-end jumps by over 10 MPH and cruising speeds go up about the same amount.
- The boat isn't particularly quick out of the hole, but once up and running, mid-range punch is great.
- We enjoyed this pontoon boat's performance so much, we decided to include it in our high-performance pontoon video The Need for Speed.
Handling
- This is one of the best-handling pontoons I've ever run; it carves out turns aggressively and banks inward as it does so.
- Dropping the center tube lower than the outer tubes improves handling dramatically.
- Note that you'll need to pay attention to trim; tilt the engine up a good bit to boost top-end, but tuck it in entering tight turns or the prop may gulp some air.
Unique Features
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Length | 26'9" |
| Beam | 8'6" |
| Draft (hull) | 2'1" |
| Deadrise | NA |
| Displacement | 4,484 lbs |
| Fuel capacity | 50 gal. |
- New dash design looks nice and is functional, though multiple nooks and crannies may make it a chore to keep clean and spotless.
- Performance is beyond what you expect, even from a high-end pontoon boat.
- Love the pop-up lunch counter, which is a lot firmer and more stable than the usual pedestal table.
The 2015 Harris Grand Mariner SL 250 is similar to its predecessors, for sure, but it has plenty of clear differences too. What about pricing? You can find one with the big Verado in the upper 70s to lower 80s, and if performance isn't your thing you can pull that number down substantially by going with a smaller outboard. Those of you in the market for a top-shelf pontoon boat that not only offers the best in luxury but also blows the doors off the competition will probably want to see one with maximum power.
Either way, it's easy to get up close and personal with a SL 250, then take it for a sea trial—just look at some Harris Grand Mariner boats for sale and find your local dealer. Or see what Harris has to say about the Grand Mariner on their web site.
