A Brief History of Harris® Boats
Harris® pontoon boats has been in operation for over six decades, and our designers' compulsive dedication to quality engineering has been our trademark since day one. Every boat that we manufacture is assembled by the industry’s top craftsmen and built to last. Our boats all feature the patented TTRS (Total Torsional Reduction System) deck construction and a host of great features to help you enjoy every minute on the water in comfort and style. Every Harris pontoon boat is designed to be a fully "integrated system" that blends best in class performance and classic styling. Here’s a look at the reasons why our boats offer so much value to our owners. To learn more about Harris boats, come see us at Mark's Leisure Time Marine in Conesus and Canandaigua, New York.
The Beginning
In 1956 Peter and Ernie Harris founded Harris Manufacturing to produce the world’s first pontoon boats manufactured on an assembly line. The “FloteBote" featured the patented “Dolphin” pontoon nose cone that sliced through the waves and helped riders enjoy a smoother ride. We became the first manufacturer to electrochemically protect our aluminum perimeter fence from corrosion through aluminum anodizing in 1964, and we released the first pontoon boats powered by stern drive propulsion in 1971.
A New Tradition of Innovation in Manufacturing
In 1983 Harris Manufacturing purchased the Kayot Corporation, America’s second-largest manufacturer of fiberglass deck boats. This new partnership led to the release of several new FloteBote brands. The Heritage was the first pontoon boat with an extended deck, and the Royal Heritage was the first boat of any kind with all rotational-molded furniture bases and rounded bow seating. In the late 1980s we also introduced the first aluminum, wood-free transom and patented an interlocking aluminum extruded deck system.
60 Years of Excellence
In 2016, Harris Flotebote Inc. celebrated its 60th anniversary with a lengthy list of awards and accomplishments. In 2000, we became one of the first pontoon manufacturers to become Marine Industry Certified (M.I.C.) as part of an industry-wide program to improve and enhance customer satisfaction. In 2007 we were awarded the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates award for “highest in Customer Satisfaction with Pontoon Boats.” Our Crowne Model line of pontoon boats also received the 2013 NMMA Innovation Award, which honors manufacturers and suppliers who create outstanding new and innovative products for the boating industry.
But we don't plan on resting on our achievements, and we know that we’re only as good as the next boat that we ship. We owe our company’s success to local owners, and pledge to continue improving and innovating for decades to come!
For more information and to see our current inventory of new and pre-owned Harris boats for sale, visit Mark's Leisure Time Marine in Conesus and Canandaigua, New York.