Harris Flotebote Crowne 250

Pontoon boats aren’t big in Australia but if American trends are any indication they’re on the cusp of gaining more than a toehold on our myriad enclosed waterways.

Renowned for building above-average luxury pontoons, Brunswick company Harris FloteBote is in a good position to make inroads Down Under.

The boat builder was recently honoured with a 2013 Innovation Award in the Pontoon Category at the Miami International Boat Show.

The award was bestowed upon the cool Crowne 250 model for its innovative design and comprehensive list of groundbreaking features including optional specially designed power-lift sport arch and GPS-based cruise control.

Measuring 26ft 9in overall, the Crowne aluminium pontoon boat takes the concept of leisure boating to the next level. There are the expected plush lounges but also a cool rear-facing recliner, carpeted cockpit timber dinette, then a change room, optional wet bar with wine store, drawer fridge, serious stereo, sports graphic choices and big performance claims with up to 300hp.

The Crowne, which is said to combine the agility of a sport boat with the supreme comfort of a pontoon, hails from one of America’s first pontoon-boat manufacturers. As such, Harris offers a wide range of pontoon boats starting with a triple-pontoon 21-footer with 115hp four-stroke outboard for about $65,000 landed.

The brand is available locally through exclusive national importer Australis Marine Distributors in Mandurah, WA, who says they have sold about 100 of the pontoon boats since they started in 2008. The boats are said to be right at home gadding about the Swan River, Mandurah, Gippsland, Eildon, the Hawkesbury or Broadwater and its canals.

The a big new award-winning Crowne 250 from Harris FloteBote has a local landed price of about $145,000 with a 150hp Verado outboard. Australis Marine Distributors hopes to bring one in before too long. More from www.australismarine.com.au.