Harris Sunliner 250 Review

It is truly remarkable just how far pontoon boats have evolved even over the past few years, as boat builders take advantage of new technologies to deliver more comfort than ever. That’s certainly true in the case of the new Harris Sunliner 250.

Occupying the mid-range of the company’s pontoon lineup, the Sunliner series of 21-, 23- and 25-foot boats offers luxurious comfort while still holding the line on affordability. The Sunliner is offered in either two-tube or three-tube configurations, with a choice of 25-inch or 27-inch pontoons. The vast majority built will be three-tube models with standard 25-inch tubes – a combination that represents a near-perfect balance of comfort and sporty handling.

The large extended rear deck features stainless railings that provide an unobstructed view aft. Note the integrated fender storage slots.

All Harris Sunliners feature an extended rear deck with an expansive swim platform, which speaks to this boat being designed for family fun. A four-step stainless steel boarding ladder comes standard, and being a four-step design rather than the more common three-step type, it extends deeper into the water for much easier reboarding after a swim. The aft fencing is stainless steel railing with safety chains in place of doors, providing an unobstructed view behind – an important consideration for parents who want to keep an eye on the kids as they swim, or for better spotting when wakeboarding or pulling a tube.

Look more closely at that railing arrangement and you’ll spot the neatly-integrated fender storage, which is capable of accommodating even oversized 8.8-inch bumpers. You’ll also spot the flip-up cleats that collapse flat when not in use, in order to protect against painful stubbed toes.

Bow seats include fold-down arm rests, recessed drink holders and USB charge ports to keep phones fully juiced.

There’s a short deck up front, used more for boarding from the dock than as a swim platform. Kudos to Harris for the neat metal housings integrated into the front deck and accommodate the standard docking lights. The Harris Sunliner 250 comes with full RGB lighting throughout, allowing owners to set the perfect mood any time they’re on the water.

Like most pontoons the Harris Sunliner 250 comes with a choice of seating arrangements – either the popular quad lounger setup, or a sport layout with twin loungers in the bow and a triple-wide, flip-flop lounger at the stern. Harris calls this the multi-position lounger, and it’s an apt description since it works both for forward-facing or aft-facing seating, or can be flattened to create a giant sun pad.

The stern multi-position lounge offers forward-facing or aft-facing seating, or can be folded flat to create a huge sun pad.

If you look more closely you’ll note the far port side seat position always faces aft. This seat has a self-draining cooler integrated into its base, which is a new feature for the Sunliner and one which will no doubt prove immensely popular.

That lounger aside, all the remaining seats offer cavernous storage compartments in the seat bases, letting this boat accommodate a huge amount of gear. Three-tube models also offer in-floor storage as well, which is great for bulky items like skis or wakeboards.

The driver and companion are spoiled with high-back bucket seats. The double-diamond stitching pattern suggests a classic sportscar.

The bow loungers in the Harris Sunliner 250 include fold-down arm rests and recessed drink holders with USB plugs to keep phones and handheld devices fully charged. The port-side lounge can be ordered with a pop-up change room concealed in its aft back rest, providing a great space to change out of wet swimwear without having to return to shore.

There’s space between the seats to accommodate the pedestal-mount, removable woodgrain table which comes standard, with an acrylic table available as an optional upgrade.

While even the standard stereo sounds terrific, buyers can upgrade to a premium JL Audio system for concert hall sound.

All of the seating in the Sunliner features soft yet durable pillow-top vinyl upholstery, with a tasteful, double-diamond stitching pattern in the seat backs that suggests a vintage sportscar.

Among the many optional upgrades available for the Sunliner 250 is a sporty wake tower.

One of the most interesting features in this pontoon is the provision of an extra-wide entry gate on the port side of the boat. Offering a full 34 inches of clearance, this gate is wide enough to easily manage strollers or wheelchairs.

The helm provides space on the dash for a nine-inch touchscreen display.

The driver gets spoiled in the Harris Sunliner 250, with a standard high-back bucket seat with a swivel base and fold-down arm rests. The helm offers space for a 9” touch-screen display, a sport steering wheel, a stereo (a Clarion unit comes standard, upgradable to a premium JL Audio set) and a wireless phone charger pad as a popular but worthwhile option.

A wireless cell phone charging pad on the helm is a worthwhile upgrade.

Overhead, Harris provides a number of top options, including a standard Bimini, a double Bimini to cover the full boat, a power top that goes up and down on electric actuators, or a sporty wake tower with its own top arrangement.

No matter how you configure it, the Harris Sunliner 250 is an attractive, comfortable and stylish pontoon that represents great value.