Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 boat specs
Harris Flotebote
Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013
2013
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Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2013 boat specs
Harris Flotebote
Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2013
2013
View full specs →

Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 vs Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2013 — Which Pontoon Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 and the Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2013 are pontoon designs with aluminum construction — 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 2013 measures 28,6 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 3,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 at 25,1 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2013 tips the scales at 4 142 lbs — 910 lbs less than the Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 at 3 232 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 2 hp for the Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 and 2 hp for the Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 5 gal and 5 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 2 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2013 at 28,6 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 at 25,1 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
MakeHarris Flotebote
MakeHarris Flotebote
ModelRoyal 23
ModelRoyal 27
Model Year2013
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail2 Tubes: 2,790 lbs. (1,266 kg) 3 Tubes: 3,232 lbs. (1,466 kg)
Weight - Detail2 Tubes: 3,682 lbs. (1,670 kg) 3 Tubes: 4,142 lbs. (1,879 kg)
Weight - kg1466.01
Weight - kg1878.78
Weight - lbs.3232
Weight - lbs.4142
Length [at waterline]Log Length: 23 ft. (7 m)
Length [at waterline]Log Length: 27 ft. (8.2 m)
Length - Feet25.08
Length - Feet28.58
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 1 in. (7.6 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 7 in. (8.7 m)
Length overall - Meters7.65
Length overall - Meters8.71
Length overall - Inches301
Length overall - Inches343
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typePontoon
Hull typePontoon
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2.03 mm)
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2.03 mm)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail2 Tubes: 32 gal. (121 l) 3 Tubes: 50 gal. (189 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail2 Tubes: 32 gal. (121 l) 3 Tubes: 50 gal. (189 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Horsepower2 Tubes Max: 200 hp (149 kW) 3 Tubes Max: 300 hp (224 kW)
Horsepower2 Tubes Max: 200 hp (149 kW) 3 Tubes Max: 300 hp (224 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2 Tubes: 2,379 lbs. (1,079 kg) 3 Tubes: 2,880 lbs. (1,306 kg)
Maximum capacity2 Tubes: 2,933 lbs. (1,330 kg) 3 Tubes: 3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg)
Maximum people2 Tubes: 12 3 Tubes: 15
Maximum people2 Tubes: 16 3 Tubes: 18

Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 vs Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 or the Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2013?
The Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,6 feet overall. The Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 comes in at 25,1 feet, making it roughly 3,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 or the Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2013?
For trailering, the Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 has the edge at 3 232 lbs dry weight versus 4 142 lbs for the Harris Flotebote Royal 270 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.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 2 passengers, while the Harris Flotebote Royal 270 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.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 and Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2013 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 and Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2013?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 5 gallons and 5 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 and Harris Flotebote Royal 270 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Harris Flotebote Royal 230 2013 and the Harris Flotebote Royal 270 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.