HARRIS SOLSTICE 250 SLEC
Harris rarely fails to please, and 2020 reveals more innovation. This Solstice 250 SLEC gives an aggressive performance with a Mercury 350 Verado FourStroke outboard, topping 51 mph at 6,000 rpm. Acceleration is brisk, hitting 30 mph from a dead stop in 7.3 seconds. For best mileage, optimum rpm is 2,500, where we recorded 14.7 mph and 3.7 miles per gallon. (Though we might term 20 mph “cruising speed” as mileage is still stellar.) That’s thrifty performance from a large high-performance engine, testament to the Harris triple 25-inch-diameter tubes with lifting strakes, aluminum full-length keel and aluminum under-deck skin. Handling and tractability was smooth, with stutter-free turns and solid feel over chop and wakes. Thanks to Harris’ ¾-inch plywood deck with tongue-groove construction and crossmembers every 16 inches on center, we felt no rattles.
Topside, long twin lounges dominate the bow and feature stitched and tufted two-tone, diamond-pleat upholstery, with tuckaway cubbies fitted with dual cup holders, USB and power ports. Plenty of stowage resides within.
Amidships, the pilot sits atop an adjustable seat that proved cushy and supportive, behind a console and dash that displays every function possible—yet it still appears clean and simple.
The hinged top is a wonderful innovation allowing great access behind the dash, and the CZONE digital switching allows for pinpoint control of all the boat’s systems. (For example: The electrically operated EVO 2.0 tower cannot be lowered unless its control is actuated a special way, reducing the chance of an accident.)
The tower is fitted with JL Audio speakers and a small Bimini top that affords good sun protection for those in the cockpit.
The aft section features a huge lounger with a six-position backrest for a variety of configurations. Aft perimeter fencing keeps everyone safely inside at speed. The boarding ladder is another cool touch; it deploys and retracts electrically. The investment in this Harris ($125,000) will provide many summers of great family fun, and the features will keep even the most tech-headed boat geek entertained.