Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Harris Flotebote Cruiser LE 180 2005 vs Harris Flotebote Grand Mariner 230 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Harris Flotebote Cruiser LE 180 2005 vs Harris Flotebote Grand Mariner 230 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 Grand Mariner 230 2013 measures 25,1 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 7,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Harris Flotebote Cruiser LE 180 2005 at 18,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Harris Flotebote Grand Mariner 230 2013 tips the scales at 3 588 lbs - 2 018 lbs less than the Harris Flotebote Cruiser LE 180 2005 at 1 570 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 LE 180 2005 has a 73-hp advantage over the Harris Flotebote Grand Mariner 230 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 LE 180 2005 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Harris Flotebote Grand Mariner 230 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 LE 180 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Harris Flotebote Cruiser LE 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 Grand Mariner 230 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 LE 180
ModelGrand Mariner 230
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: 2,993 lbs. (1,358 kg) 3 Tubes: 3,588 lbs. (1,627 kg)
Weight - kg712.14
Weight - kg1627.49
Weight - lbs.1570
Weight - lbs.3588
Length [deck]18 ft.
Length [deck]not available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet25.08
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in.
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 1 in. (7.6 m)
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters7.65
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches301
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]Log Length: 23 ft. (7 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 - Gal50
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: 2,303 lbs. (1,045 kg) 3 Tubes: 2,900 lbs. (1,315 kg)
Maximum people8
Maximum people2 Tubes: 12 3 Tubes: 14
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon