Harris Sunliner 230 2025 Review

Founded nearly 70 years ago in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and now owned by the US Brunswick Corporation, Harris Boats is a pontoon boat innovator and pioneer.

Within the Harris pontoon boat range there are nearly two dozen models, and each is available with five or six different interior seating layout options.

Several models are also available with a choice of twin or triple (tritoon) pontoon hulls.

One of those is the mid-range Sunliner series, which is available in 210, 230, and 250 model sizes, and with standard and Sport versions.

For this review we have secured the Sunliner 230 with the entry Centre Walkthrough (CW) interior seating layout, but with the RPM 325 hull package, which combines a 686mm (27-inch) centre pontoon hull with two outer 635mm (25-inch) hulls.

Key features on the Sunliner 230 include soft-touch longitudinal seating and lounging areas at the bow and stern, a starboard-side low-set fibreglass helm station with pedestal captain’s chair, sea-grass vinyl flooring, bimini top, three entry gates, and a telescopic aft swimming/boarding ladder.

Package pricing for the Sunliner 230 starts at $107K when the boat is ordered with twin 635mm (25-inch) pontoon tubes and with the standard CW interior layout.

This price does not include the engine, but you can order the Sunliner 230 with a single Mercury outboard engine ranging from just 9.9hp (for displacement speed operation) through to 300hp for 45-knot-plus performance.

Our test boat was rigged with a Mercury 225hp V6 four-stroke outboard, providing ample power and performance for day cruising and social towsports.

Options added to the test boat include a double black-powder-coated bimini, Tech Pack 1 (with stereo upgrade, Simrad NSX7 display with chart plotter/fish finder, wireless phone charger, and interior lighting), RGB lighting upgrade, ski tow bar, Lillipad Easy Step Ladder, exterior fence powder-coat black-out package, dual batteries with switch, mooring cleats amidships, removable windshield (not fitted during test) and full saltwater anodes.

With all the above kit, the actual test boat is available to buy for the special rebated price of $189,990. Subsequent models will cost $225K.

Add approximately $15K for an alloy trailer.

Pontoon boats are all about seating and deck space, and the Harris Sunliner 230 has both in abundance.

With the standard CW interior layout the Sunliner has L-shaped, longitudinal lounge seats at the bow and the stern.

The seating is not quite mirror image (bow to stern) but it’s close. The port-side aft lounge, for example, is slightly longer than the starboard-side bow lounge.

Eight other seating/deck layout options are available at additional cost. Some have a mix of pedestal chairs and side lounges. Others have a huge rear sunpad amidst the mixed seating.

All models have wonderfully soft, well-padded seats and backrests to make your boating experience supremely comfortable.

In the CW model as tested, there are aluminium panelled fencing gates at the bow, the stern, and amidships.

The latter entry gate is ideal for boarding from a wharf, or from another boat when two boats are rafted up.

Most of the lounge seats in the Sunliner are sectioned so that beneath each hinged cushion there is an enclosed, roto-moulded storage space.

There is more than enough general storage space throughout the boat but it does not have a formed, designated anchorwell.

To keep the purchase price down, the Sunliner 230 CW package does not come with a change-room, fridge, cooking facilities, or other convenience features, but this gear is optional.

Amongst the included features is a rubbish bin, multiple cup/drink holders, and a sturdy table which unpacks from the bow seat backrest on the port side.

The helm station in the Sunliner 230 is minimalistic but functional.

A large, comfy, swivelling/sliding Captain’s chair with folding armrests fronts a low-set fibreglass moulded helm console.

The interior colour-matched fibreglass console has a blacked-out dash and angled fascia to reduce glare and reflection.

Nestled into the fascia panel is a single Simrad NSX7 display above a sports steering wheel, switch panel, and upgraded JL Audio stereo head unit.

The throttle box is mounted to starboard alongside the skipper to keep it comfortably within reach for smooth operation.

The helm station is set up for a seated driver, but I found you can also drive the boat easily and comfortably while standing.

The standard 230 Sunliner comes with a single folding bimini cover but our test boat was optioned with a double bimini for additional shelter and weather protection.

The Harris Sunliner 230 is available with twin and triple pontoon hulls.

However, for optimum performance, handling and ride, the tritoon is the way to go.

Our test boat was rigged with the standard RPM 325 tritoon hull, but there is the option for the RPM 327 package. This has triple 686mm (27-inch) tubes instead of a single 686mm (27-inch) inner tube with two 635mm (25-inch) outer tubes, as tested.

Both deliver excellent performance. Our test boat proved to be wonderfully soft and stable when tested in the chop out on the Gold Coast Broadwater.

Unusually for a pontoon boat, the Sunliner 230 also has pronounced inward banking when cornering, which allows the boat to turn tighter and harder than I have experienced with many other pontoon boats.

With the mid-range Mercury 225hp V6 outboard on the transom, the Sunliner 230 delivers ample performance.

Flat out at 5900rpm, we recorded a top speed of 38 knots (70.3km/h). That’s quick enough for bay cruising, exploring, and social towsports.

The Harris Sunliner 230 Centre Walkthough delivers in spades. This is a terrific pontoon party boat – smooth riding, wharf-like stable, well-priced and sturdily built.

Could this be the ultimate family bay or harbour cruiser and entertainer? Quite possibly, as it combines loads of seating, storage and walkabout space with excellent handling and performance.

Model: Harris Sunliner 230 CW
Length overall: 7.71m
Pontoon hull length: 6.8m
Beam: 2.59m
Draft (engine up): 305mm (12 inches)
Hull weight: 1577kg approx. (dry, std. boat)
Maximum power: 300hp
Engines as tested: Mercury 225hp V6 four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 190L
Passengers: 12 to 13 persons (1099kg) with 325 package
Price from: $107,000 with a twin pontoon hull and the standard CW interior package – no engine. Add approximately $15,000 for an alloy trailer.
Price as tested: $189,990 after the $36,000 factory rebate for the actual test boat. Price includes a Mercury 225hp V6 four-stroke outboard, double black-powder-coated bimini, Tech Pack 1 (with stereo upgrade, Simrad NSX7 display with chart plotter/fish finder, wireless phone charger, interior lighting), RGB lighting upgrade, Lillipad Easy Step Ladder, ski tow bar, exterior fence powder-coat black-out package, dual batteries with switch, mooring cleats amidships, removable windshield (not fitted during test), and full saltwater anodes. Add approximately $15,000 for an alloy trailer.
Supplied by: Queensland Marine Centre