Harris Grand Mariner 250 Review

Pontoon boats remain top choices for thousands of boating families who appreciate their incredible stability, comfort and value. High-end models are also coming to represent incredible levels of luxury, as exemplified by the all-new Harris Grand Mariner 250.

Stretching near 28 feet in overall length and offering comfortable seating for up to 15 people, the Grand Mariner makes a real statement even when it’s still tied up to the dock. Part of that lies in design elements like its fiberglass bow fairings with their integrated LED lighting, which give the boat a more streamlined appearance and less of the boxy look that defines so many pontoon boats.

Part too lies in its oversized swim platform and forward-sweeping tower, reflecting the big boat’s capabilities as a watersports platform. But most of the look comes from Harris’s incredible attention to detail.

The Harris Grand Mariner 250 features a distinctive look thanks to its elegant bow fairings with integrated LED lights, sweeping tower, expansive swim platform and exceptional attention to detail everywhere.

Step aboard via the Harris Grand Mariner 250’s spacious, extended swim platform and this quickly becomes apparent. The open space, stainless steel retractable boarding ladder to starboard and stainless ski tow pylon might be expected features on a premium pontoon, but then you spot the other stuff that sets this boat apart. What appears to be a raised platform on the port side of the platform folds down into the water to offer a comfortable swim step. Integrated fender storage on the outboard corners of the aft deck provide a convenient spot to stow wet bumpers, while the thoughtful addition of flat-folding mooring cleats protects against painful stubbed toes.

The massive sun pad dominates the stern, inviting guests to climb aboard and get comfortable. Note the integrated fender holders, fold-down cleats and port-side swim step that set this boat apart.

Dominating the stern is an enormous, triple-wide sun lounger with an adjustable back rest, and cavernous storage space for gear below. The outboard arm rest includes a neatly integrated remote for the stereo, along with a 12-volt outlet and twin USB charge ports to keep phones and tablets fully topped up.

Attention to detail – like providing a convenient stereo remote in the port-side arm of the sun pad – spoils guests in incredible luxury.

Step into the cockpit proper and the layout varies based on the floor plan selected. Most buyers will opt for one of two options with a port side lounge seat extending forward from that big aft sunpad, but it’s also possible to select a swivelling Captain’s chair in the port side passenger position to match that of the driver, or delete the sun pad altogether and go with a more traditional quad lounge arrangement. In all cases, the seating of the Harris Grand Mariner 250 features incredibly soft and supply upholstery, with neat stitch work in an attractive diamond pattern across the seat surface and backrest.

A delightful fold-down swim step located on the port side of the swim platform is an unexpected yet wonderful feature.

No matter where you sit, you’ll enjoy surprisingly great sound from the JL Audio stereo system. There’s also a range of interior lighting options, all controlled through an onboard C-ZONE panel. Throughout, you’ll find USB chargers galore, and massive storage compartments under every seat.

Harris offers a variety of seating arrangements for the Grand Mariner 250.

Overhead, the Harris Grand Mariner 250 offers two tower options – a traditional manually folding unit, and an available powered arch that comes in a choice of four colors to match the boat’s exterior finish.

Underfoot, three-tube models include a substantial in-floor storage compartment that’s the ideal space to stow wet water toys.

While everyone onboard the Harris Grand Mariner 250 gets spoiled thoroughly, no one will be more impressed than the driver, thanks to the exquisite helm. Elevated on a platform for greater visibility, the stylish helm centers around a fully digital dashboard with twin Simrad touch-screen displays. Tasteful brow and dash upholstery provides a decidedly upscale look, which accents the brushed nickel-on-grey sport steering wheel. The JL Audio stereo control head sits to the left of the wheel, while to the right are two rows of push-button switches for electrical accessories. The throttle sits perfectly placed on a fiberglass console, which includes storage space for smaller items underneath.

No one is spoiled more than the driver, with a stylish and efficient helm console dominated by twin touch-screen displays.

Bow seating in all Harris Grand Mariner floor plans is a pair of extremely comfortable wrap-around loungers, separated by a stainless steel entry gate. More stereo speakers, USB charge ports and drink holders make this one spot that you’ll never want to leave.

The port-side entry gate is solid to better complement the exterior fencing. Facing it, the seat back of the port bow lounge seat includes a useful flip-up table, with a couple of integrated drink holders. A neatly designed storage space in the base of the seat provides a handy spot to stow smaller items you’ll want to frequently access, like binoculars, sunscreen or a camera.

All floor plans feature twin wrap-around bow lounge seats, each with integrated drink holders, stereo speakers, USB charging ports, and storage space below.

The Harris Grand Mariner 250 is rated to handle outboards of up to 450 horsepower, which is really a tremendous amount of power for a boat of this size. And frankly, it doesn’t really need it – the efficiency of the oversized tubes in even the basic twin-log configuration lets this boat punch well above its weight even with smaller, lighter engines. A tri-hull 250 will easily approach 50 mph with a 300-horsepower V6, jumping up onto plane in under three seconds.

A flip-up table in the aft face of the port-side bow lounger is a nice surprise, and further evidence of Harris’s attention to detail.

Stepping up to maximum power only brings a marginal improvement on those numbers, while significantly increasing both purchase cost and overall fuel consumption. Still, for those who want to wring every last ounce of capability out of this boat, it is an available option.

With power options up to 450 horsepower, the Grand Mariner 250 has performance to match its great looks.

Harris has a well-deserved reputation for building technically-advanced pontoon boats that over-deliver on luxury and attention to detail. With the new Harris Grand Mariner 250, that’s still very much the case. Anyone in the hunt for a top-drawer pontoon needs to give this boat serious consideration.