Both the Harris Flotebote Grand Mariner 220 2011 and the Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2012 are pontoon designs, the first built in aluminium and the second in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2012 measures 28,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Harris Flotebote Grand Mariner 220 2011 at 22,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2012 tips the scales at 4 155 lbs - 1 350 lbs less than the Harris Flotebote Grand Mariner 220 2011 at 2 805 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 Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2012 tops out at 2 hp. Engine specs for the Harris Flotebote Grand Mariner 220 2011 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 50 gal and 50 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Harris Flotebote Grand Mariner 220 2011 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2012 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 Grand Mariner 220 2011 could be the deciding factor.