Is the 2023 Harris Crowne SL 250 worth buying?

2023 Harris Crowne SL 250 Review

Reference price: from $185,981 (excluding trailer)

Type: Pontoon boat

Weight: 4211 lbs.

Capacity: 12-14 persons

What we like it: The cool styling design with streamlined hull structure brings you great visual enjoyment.

What we don’t like it: The expensive price is not friendly to some users.

Rating (4.8/5)

Harris has always been able to hit the heart of the user with its outstanding craftsmanship. Harris pontoon boats have long been recognized for their superior craftsmanship and performance. Today’s featured boat is the 2023 Harris Crowne SL 250.

The elite Crowne line features sleek lines, quality construction, elegant detailing, amazing power and nimble maneuverability, as well as a gorgeous array of standard amenities and modern floorplans that truly inspire on-board entertaining. This 2023 Harris Crowne SL 250 is one of the best of the best, so grab your friends and family and enjoy a great time on the water with Crowne!

Here’s a breakdown of the 2023 Harris Crowne SL 250’s driving experience, specs features, and other versions.

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Driving Experience

We had been preparing for this voyage for a full week. Along with a few of my best friends, a total of 10 people traveled to Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to start this party on the water. We were all looking forward to this adventure on the water.

As soon as I stepped aboard the Harris Crowne SL 250, I was fully aware of the expansive feel of its interior, with a wide hull layout that made me feel very relaxed. But it was the luxurious cockpit design that really surprised me, perfectly positioned to provide an unobstructed view of the route ahead, offering a panoramic view of the lake and enabling me to sail with greater ease. What’s worth mentioning is its ergonomic helm station with soft and comfortable adjustable seats, giving the skipper maximum comfort and being very friendly for long drives.

Activation Effect

The Mercury 400L Verado responded immediately to my gentle push on the throttle, and its smooth power propelled us forward, leaving a graceful arc across the lake. As I continued to sail, I became more and more amazed at the boat’s superior stability and maneuverability. The glass dashboard has touch-screen controls, and I could control all the outboard functions with a simple swipe of my finger, very convenient.

I drove the Crowne SL 250 towards the Emerald Bay coast, one of Lake Tahoe’s most iconic destinations. During the drive we turned on the JL Diamond sound system that came with it, and cheered along with the rhythm of the music, enjoying the breeze blowing in our direction and retreating from our exhaustion.

Thanks to its precise steering and intuitive maneuvering, docking was a breeze and I managed to complete the voyage. I completed the handover with my good friend Ryan, made my way to the lounge and joined their party.

Riding experience

The Harris Crowne SL 250 was a different kind of fun when I got to experience it as a passenger, and at 27′ 11″, with the ability to accommodate up to 14 people at a time, it was a very spacious boat for our group. My favorite part of the boat is the gorgeous Bimini Top design, which provides plenty of shade from the sun. It also thoughtfully adds a clear skylight, the Piercy, so it doesn’t look too subdued, and it’s tinted so you don’t have to worry about sun exposure in this area.

I sat on the soft and comfortable sofa, which is upholstered in real vinyl for a great ride. And best of all, I didn’t need to manually adjust the backrest. Just push a button and it automatically lowered itself into a perfect recliner. With a great view from the aft end of the deck, I was able to enjoy the full view of the lake. The Harris Crowne SL 250 is an excellent performer, and we didn’t feel the slightest bit of rocking in the boat, which was a credit to Ryan’s extensive driving experience.

As the boat cut across the calm lake, I was struck by its excellent stability. The advanced design and meticulous structure ensured a smooth ride, and the comprehensive knob reduction system worked in perfect coordination to minimize any bumps, immersing us in the wonderful scenery.

Of course, the sound system is equally praiseworthy. The clear audio quality created an immersive environment that enhanced our enjoyment and elevated the overall experience. Whether we were relaxing on deck or taking a refreshing dip on the spacious swim deck, the music added an energizing soundtrack to our adventures.

Specification

Styling

As a classic pontoon boat, the Harris Crowne SL 250 boasts a lengthy 27′ 11″ size, capable of accommodating up to 14 people at a time, making for a lively journey. The spacious design provides passengers with a more comfortable ride and a wider view of the scenery.

Not only that, the Harris Crowne SL 250 has a luxurious interior and plenty of amenities to make a statement on the water. The beautifully streamlined design not only looks better on the outside, but also delivers excellent wind breaking. With high-performance welding technology, you can be completely assured of its quality, and it’s no exaggeration to say that it’s the most beautiful sight on the water.

Foyer

Comfort is a top priority for riders, and that’s something the Harris Crowne SL 250 takes into full consideration. The innovative rear lounge features power reclining backrests as standard equipment, allowing passengers to effortlessly shift from a forward-facing position to a reclined position at the push of a button. 12-foot-long awnings provide plenty of shade, and six-speaker Polk® stereo audio with Bluetooth® and USB capability adds even more enjoyment to your journey.

What’s more, an array of high-end amenities are offered, including beautifully crafted folding teak tables, stainless steel grills, and striking, upscale vinyl flooring for your added enjoyment.

Cockpit

For skippers, the Harris Crowne SL 250 gives more care. Its perfectly positioned to give you the best range of vision, so you’ll be able to see the water ahead of you and you can react faster. With a stylish helm station featuring a cross-stitched steering wheel and a high-backed reclining helm seat with double diamond stitching, you’ll have even smoother handling. The smart glass dashboard is a great way to make your ride even easier.

With noteworthy engine options up to 400 horsepower, you can show off your skills and leave beautiful ripples in the lake, making this cruise even more passionate.

Other Version

Also as a pontoon boat in the Harris Crowne series, its overall layout is not much different from the Harris Crowne SL 250. They share the same layout design and coating colors. The difference, however, is that they have made different choices in terms of size and components.

The Harris Crowne SL 270 has an overall length of 29’9″, which also means it has more room to accommodate up to 16 people at a time, making for a lively trip. Of course, the larger size also means that upgrades have been made to the fuel capacity, with a 63-gallon tank capable of supporting longer voyages so you can spend a comfortable day on the water, while the storage space under the deck is large enough to carry more supplies. For motor options, the Harris Crowne SL 270 has a maximum horsepower of up to 450HP, boasting faster speeds and built for the arriving boater.

Overall, this is an excellent pontoon boat, functional and great. But if you’re on a budget haul, then the Harris Crowne SL 250 would be a better choice.

What we like about it

• The cool styling design with streamlined hull structure brings you great visual enjoyment.
• Spacious and comfortable sofas with power reclining backrests provide passengers with a great ride.
• With engine options up to 400 horsepower, you can sail on the lake to your heart’s content.
• The responsive steering system is able to handle any water situation with ease.
• A huge swim deck and the use of Polk® stereo sound bring more fun to your water travels.
• The application of the advanced and intelligent glass instrument panel provides an excellent control experience.
• Advanced interior and exterior LED lighting for safe driving even on water with poor lighting conditions.

What we don’t like about it

• The expensive price is not friendly to some users.

FAQ

• What are the most popular pontoon boat sizes?

The most common size of a pontoon boat is about 20-24 feet. This medium-sized pontoon boat can usually carry 10-12 people, and it has enough room to carry more items and amenities.

For family use, a small pontoon boat of 16-19 feet will suffice. If you’re looking to carry a larger group of people, then we suggest you consider a 21 to 28-foot model, and the Harris Crowne SL 250 is a large pontoon boat with even more capacity.

Of course, there are similar pontoon boats on our website that are no less capable. If you are in need of a pontoon boat, feel free to contact us and we will recommend and design the perfect boat for you.

• How long do pontoon boats last?

Generally speaking, a pontoon boat has a lifespan of 10 to 20 years based on regular maintenance, which can be shorter if you don’t usually take care of it. Maintenance includes keeping the boat clean and free of debris, and cleaning and repainting the aluminum tubes once a year as needed. If it’s in the water, a pontoon boat can be left in salt water for a week, and can be left in fresh water for three to four weeks. Of course, if you are not in the habit of regular maintenance and are looking for a new pontoon boat, we have a variety of options on our homepage. We look forward to your visit.

• How fast is the Harris Crowne SL 250?

We have to admit that the Harris Crowne SL 250 exceeds our expectations with its choice of motor. It has a whopping 400HP motor, which means you can have a blast on a calm lake. Likewise you can surf at the stern for even more surprises. If speed is what you’re looking for, feel free to head over to our homepage where we have more pontoon boats with superior speeds for a great experience.

2023 Harris Crowne SL 250 Specs

Pontoon length	25′	Pontoon Diameter	25″
Weight – 3-25″ tubes	4211 lbs	Weight – 3-27″ tubes	4325 lbs
3-27″ Tube Capacity	12-14 persons / 4775 lbs	Max H.P. – Perf. Level 3	450 HP
Max H.P. – Perf. Level 3.5	450 HP	Fuel capacity – Perf. Level 2	37 gal
Fuel capacity – Perf. Level 3	63 gal	Fuel capacity – Perf. Level 3.5	63 gal
Draft down with 25″ tubes	22″	Draft down with 27″ tubes	22″
Draft up with 25″ tubes	13″	Draft up with 27″ tubes	13″
Bridge clearance with 25″ tubes	62″ / 81″	Bridge clearance with 27″ tubes	64″ / 83″

Video

Comparison Table

Shipbuilding	Deck	Maximum Horsepowerlimit	Maximum capacity limit
Barletta ULTRA-LOUNGE 25U	27′ 6″	450 HP	14 persons
Bennington Q25 Swingback	27′ 3″	425 HP	18 persons
Avalon Excalibur Catalina Versatile Rear Bench	25′	400HP	14 persons

2023 Harris Crowne SL 250 VS Barletta ULTRA-LOUNGE 25U

As a classic pontoon boat, the Barletta ULTRA-LOUNGE 25U has been designed with every consideration for its passengers. The rear lounge is able to turn into 5 different seating positions, giving you flexibility in any situation. If you want to be more comfortable, then the recliner in the front is for you, spacious enough with soft cushions to make your journey less monotonous.

The Harris Crowne SL 250 is also well thought out when it comes to comfort, with an overall length of 27′ 11″ making it almost entirely a sofa for passengers, except for the cockpit, which is capable of accommodating up to 14 people at a time for even more fun. The motorized backrest design allows passengers to effortlessly shift the backrest position for great enjoyment. What’s more, it has a 12-foot-long awning to keep you out of the sun.

2023 Harris Crowne SL 250 vs Bennington Q25 Swingback

It has to be said that the Bennington Q25 Swingback bears a strong resemblance to the Harris Crowne SL 250 in terms of space layout. They also have a number of seating options and offer a wide awning for the great enjoyment of passengers, but have a different take on the driving aspect.

Bennington Q25 Swingback thoughtfully provides the captain with a windshield from gusty winds, which has a greater edge when facing some bad weather. Besides, the Harris Crowne SL 250’s smart glass dashboard with cross stitch steering wheel app delivers a more flexible and convenient driving experience. You just need to swipe on the screen to maneuver this amazing guy.

2023 Harris Crowne SL 250 VS Avalon Excalibur Catalina Versatile Rear Bench

The Avalon Excalibur Catalina Versatile Rear Bench is typically used for day cruising, water sports and other activities. It features port and starboard bow benches, with a corner lounge area and rear-facing bench at the stern. The seat can be moved fore and aft so occupants can face either the bow or the stern. This will make it even more fun when having water adventures.

What the Harris Crowne SL 250 has in comparison is a larger and more spacious seating space, especially at the stern, and the ability to switch between seating and reclining is direct and free. It should be noted, however, that as a three-tube pontoon boat, the Harris Crowne SL 250 is safer than the Avalon Excalibur Catalina Versatile Rear Bench. The streamlined hull design is capable of handling more complex water. It will be a great experience for those who expect more adventure.

Summary

Overall, this is a pontoon boat that has the ultimate in comfort while still being fun. Both captains and passengers will find their own pleasure in it. What are you waiting for? Bring it along with your family and friends for a crazy water party!

Of course, if you are on a budget, you can also consider our excellent Splashtastic Voyage pontoon boat model, which is more affordable than the Harris Crowne SL 250.