Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 boat specs
Harris Flotebote
Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005
2005
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VS
Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013 boat specs
Harris Flotebote
Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013
2013
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Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 vs Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 vs Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013 measures 25,3 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 7,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 at 18,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013 tips the scales at 3 588 lbs — 3 431 lbs less than the Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 at 157 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 75 hp, the Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 has a 73-hp advantage over the Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013's 2-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeHarris Flotebote
MakeHarris Flotebote
ModelCruiser 18
ModelSolstice 24
Model Year2005
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches102
Draft [drive up] - Detail12 in
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.3
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches12
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail21 in
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.53
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches21
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,570 lbs
Weight - Detail2 Tubes: 3,153 lbs. (1,430 kg) 3 Tubes: 3,588 lbs. (1,627 kg)
Weight - kg712.14
Weight - kg1627.49
Weight - lbs.157
Weight - lbs.3588
Length [deck]18 ft
Length [deck]not available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet25.33
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 4 in. (7.9 m)
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters7.72
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches304
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]Log Length: 24 ft. (7.3 m)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter23 in
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max75 hp
Engine maxnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail2 Tubes: 32 gal. (121 l) 3 Tubes: 50 gal. (189 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower2 Tubes Max: 200 hp (149 kW) 3 Tubes Max: 300 hp (220 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,460 lbs
Maximum capacity2 Tubes: 2,518 lbs. (1,142 kg) 3 Tubes: 3,050 lbs. (1,383 kg) XTR Package 225 hp+: 3,150 lbs. (1,429 kg)
Maximum people8
Maximum people2 Tubes: 13 3 Tubes: 16
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon

Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 vs Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 or the Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013?
The Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013 is the longer of the two at 25,3 feet overall. The Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 7,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 or the Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013?
For trailering, the Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 has the edge at 157 lbs dry weight versus 3 588 lbs for the Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013 tops out at 2 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013 is certified for 2. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 and Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Harris Flotebote Cruiser 180 2005 and the Harris Flotebote Solstice 240 2013 are built by Harris Flotebote. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.