Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 boat specs
Harris Flotebote
Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009
2009
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VS
Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 boat specs
Harris Flotebote
Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005
2005
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Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 vs Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 vs Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 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 Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 measures 23,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 at 19,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 tips the scales at 2 285 lbs — 510 lbs less than the Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 at 1 775 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 130 hp, the Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 has a 50-hp advantage over the Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009's 80-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 Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeHarris Flotebote
MakeHarris Flotebote
ModelSunliner 18
ModelSuper Sunliner LX 23
Model Year2009
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail62 in. bimini / stern light down
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.57
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches62
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail12 in
Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in
Draft [drive up] meters0.3
Draft [drive up] meters0.33
Draft [drive up] inches12
Draft [drive up] inches13
Draft [max] - Detail21 in
Draft [max] - Detail22 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.53
Draft [max] - Meters0.56
Draft [max] - Inches21
Draft [max] - Inches22
Weight - Detail1,775 lbs
Weight - Detail2,285 lbs
Weight - kg805.13
Weight - kg1036.46
Weight - lbs.1775
Weight - lbs.2285
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet23
Length - Inches2
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters5.84
Length overall - Meters7.01
Length overall - Inches23
Length overall - Inches276
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]23 ft
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull typePontoon
Hull typenot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in
Tube diameter25 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard9.9 Mercury EL BF PK 4S
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max80 hp
Engine max130 hp W/Performance-III Package: 180 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,247 lbs
Maximum capacity2,570 lbs
Maximum people9
Maximum people15

Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 vs Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 or the Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005?
The Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 comes in at 19,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 or the Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005?
For trailering, the Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 has the edge at 1 775 lbs dry weight versus 2 285 lbs for the Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005. 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 Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 is rated to a maximum of 130 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 tops out at 80 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 Sunliner 180 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 is certified for 15. 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 Sunliner 180 2009 and Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 share an 8 ft. 6 in 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.
Are the Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 and Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Harris Flotebote Sunliner 180 2009 and the Harris Flotebote Super Sunliner LX 230 2005 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.