Harris pontoon boats are made by Brunswick Corporation, a publicly traded manufacturer headquartered in Mettawa, Illinois.
The brand is known for premium, luxury pontoon and tritoon boats, having built one of the industry’s first assembly line pontoons in 1957.
Brunswick Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BC and operates Harris as part of the larger Brunswick Boat Group.
Knowing that Harris has been under Brunswick ownership since 2005 helps explain the brand’s access to shared engineering resources across Brunswick’s wider pontoon and fishing boat lineup.
This article covers Harris’s ownership, where the boats are built, the difference between its Crowne and Grand Mariner lines, and how it compares to fellow pontoon builder Bennington.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Harris Pontoon Boats?
Harris was founded in 1957 by brothers Pete and Ernie Harris, who launched Harris FloteBote after seeing early boaters build pontoons from fuel barrels and drop tanks, according to an authorized Harris dealer’s history of the brand.
Brunswick Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, acquired Harris FloteBote in 2005, folding the brand into what became the Brunswick Boat Group.
Harris has received eleven Customer Satisfaction Index Awards from the National Marine Manufacturers Association, a recognition that requires an independently measured satisfaction rate above 90 percent.
Where Are Harris Pontoon Boats Made?
Harris pontoon boats are manufactured at the Brunswick Boat Group’s Fort Wayne Operations facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Brunswick expanded the Fort Wayne facility in 2013 to a 360,000 square foot manufacturing campus to keep pace with growing pontoon demand.
Despite being part of a large public company, Harris remains closely tied to its Fort Wayne roots and is still viewed locally as a hometown pontoon manufacturer.
Harris Crowne vs Grand Mariner: What Is the Difference?
The Crowne series sits at the top of the Harris lineup, offering the brand’s most elegant styling and highest end features, with starting prices well above $250,000.
The Grand Mariner series delivers a similarly versatile luxury experience at a lower starting price point, positioned as the step below Crowne in the Harris hierarchy.
Both lines sit above the more accessible Sunliner, Cruiser, and Breeze series that round out the rest of the current Harris pontoon lineup.
Harris vs Bennington: How Do They Compare?
Harris and Bennington are widely considered two of the top premium pontoon brands, and shoppers frequently narrow their search to these two names before making a final decision.
Forum members generally describe both brands as excellent, with the deciding factor for many buyers coming down to dealer support, engine preference, and layout options rather than a clear quality gap.
Harris pontoons are commonly paired with Mercury outboards, while Bennington has historically leaned toward Yamaha, which can factor into a buyer’s decision depending on which engine brand they trust, a pairing explained in a pontoon buying guide from Boater’s Secret Weapon.
Are Harris Pontoon Boats Any Good?
Harris consistently ranks among owners’ favorite premium pontoon brands on forums like the Pontoon Boat and Deck Boat Forum, with many describing the construction as rivaling a V hull boat for handling and stability.
Owners frequently praise the fusion welded pontoon construction and the brand’s fit and finish, particularly on the Grand Mariner and Crowne series.
A documented issue affected some 2012 and 2013 model year Harris pontoons, where owners reported rear weld cracks that allowed water into the tubes, an issue that also affected other manufacturers’ pontoons during roughly the same period.
Outside of that specific model year issue, most forum feedback describes Harris as reliable, with occasional owners noting slower than expected customer service responsiveness on warranty claims.
The honest takeaway is that Harris has a strong reputation for premium construction and handling that holds up well against V hull competitors, though buyers considering a 2012 or 2013 model should specifically inspect the rear pontoon welds before purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harris Pontoon Boats
Who owns Harris Pontoon Boats?
Harris is owned by Brunswick Corporation, which acquired the brand, then known as Harris FloteBote, in 2005.
Where are Harris pontoon boats manufactured?
Harris pontoon boats are built at Brunswick’s Fort Wayne Operations facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Who founded Harris pontoon boats?
Harris was founded in 1957 by brothers Pete and Ernie Harris in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Can Harris pontoon boats be used in saltwater?
Yes, Harris pontoon boats can be used in saltwater, though owners should properly rinse and care for the boat after each saltwater use to prevent corrosion.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.