Pursuit DC 266

Pursuit Boats is at it again.

Introduced at the 2019 Miami International Boat Show last February, Pursuit has added to its Dual Console line with the brand-new DC 266.

On the heels of its successful DC 365 (see Lakeland Boating’s August 2018 issue for review), Pursuit carries the lineage from that model to a smaller package, but with many of the same features and seakeeping abilities as its bigger brother.

Power up

Power-wise, the DC 266 is no slouch. Pursuit pairs twin Yamaha F200 outboard engines to the transom, pushing 400 hp total. Sit back and hold on as the 266 cranks way up to 50 mph! Our test ride was bucking a heavy current and stiff wind at 20 knots, but even our reciprocal runs calculated out to just above the Pursuit-published numbers for speed.

The sweet spot for cruising comes in around the 3500 RPM range. At 28.3 mph on the test run, the burn rate came in at 11.8, slightly higher than published, but I attribute that to the headwind. More importantly, the hull responds with a nice slice and lift, thanks to the sharp entry, two lifting strakes and hard chine per side that tapers back to 21 degrees of deadrise aft.

Luxury social zone

A couple of cool features can be found on the DC 266. Pursuit integrates a hardtop into the structure, supported by an aluminum powder-coated tubular frame bolted to the deck. Not a flimsy, thinly built top but a full-formed, molded fiberglass component. With a vacuum-infused fiberglass windshield frame and a tempered-glass split windshield, the DC 266 offers protection from the elements, either on a sunny day or running through inclement weather. Bimini curtains forward, on the hardtop sides and aft curtains allow for an enclosed console to beat the elements or expand your boating season.

Pursuit offers VHF antenna and outrigger mounts to the hardtop and frame. Also included are tri-color LED lights and fore/aft LED spreader lights.

The split windshield takes you forward to the “luxury lounge seating” area, according to Amy Gobel, marketing director for Pursuit Boats. And she’s right! Port and starboard bench seats ring the bow area for face-to-face seating. Swing the feet up and stretch out on the bench seats, thanks to the full-sized padded backrest with Dri-Fast foam and mesh backing. Side armrests, grabrails, cup holders and bow cover fit it out.
Those long bow seats offer large storage compartments below, as does the in-deck storage compartment that’s 2 feet deep and 11 inches wide.

Drop in the fiberglass bow table for dining or cocktails. If additional sunning space is needed, there’s a bow sunpad that converts the seating for luxurious tanning.

At the con

The dual consoles are much more than that. To starboard is the fiberglass helm, with a 12-inch Garmin GPSMAP xsv multifunction display, Yamaha 6YC digital engine display and compass. The dash holds the Edison stainless steel steering wheel, JL Audio stereo controller, Lenco trim tab controller, rocker switches ganged neatly and Yamaha twin engine binnacle controls finished in a titanium color scheme. Swivel, fore and aft adjustments, as well as a bolstered seat and armrests make the captain’s helm chair almost the best seat in the house. Across to port is a molded console with a footrest and storage box.

The magic is on the inside. The port console unlocks and swings open to reveal a sizeable head compartment. With a molded fiberglass liner, a porcelain, electric flush, fixed head, a mirror, a 13-gallon holding tank and a sink with faucet, the head certainly helps you stay out on the water longer. It also doubles as a changing room, perfect for hitting the waterside restaurant after a day on the water.

To starboard, the helm console opens also, revealing storage mounts for the table and leg, extra cushions and more.

More seating can be found in the cockpit area. A molded aft-facing seat is plush with a thick, cushioned seat bottom and backrest. Flip the seat to reveal an insulated storage box. The side pad is a nice touch.

Both the port side and transom have foldout seating. Side coaming acts as the seating backrest.

An entertainment center to starboard behind the helm seat houses the breaker panel, sink with flip-up faucet, cutting board, lower storage and hinged lid.

Fish with the best

The DC 266 is a “go anywhere, do anything” type of boat. When done cruising, rig the rods and drop the lines because this boat is a great fishing platform. Drawing only 1 foot, 9 inches with the engines up, you can chase prey into the shallow flats, or hit the deep blue for some big game ventures.

Closing the drop-down seats affords great working room in the spacious cockpit. Gunwale-mounted rod holders are standard, and four additional rocket launcher-style rod holders can be added to the hardtop.

A cockpit tackle center under the port helm seat includes three removable, locking, covered trays for tackle and lures, as well as two sliding drawers to keep all the gear in one place.

To catch the game, an Oceana Blue 20-gallon recirculating livewell is in the transom with a Plexiglass cover to keep the bait alive. An in-transom 31-gallon fish box will keep the catch chilled.

Outboard of the engines are transom platform extensions, a perfect standing spot when fighting game at the back of the boat. They also protect the engine from wayward docks and pilings.

Pursuit places most of the mechanical units below deck via a channeled and gasketed hatch in the cockpit floor. Here you’ll find the batteries installed on raised platforms on the bilge liner, above the bilge pump pickups to keep them out of any water. An 1,100 gph livewell pump, raw water pump for the 20-gallon water tank, fuel filters, through-hull valves, two 1,500 gph bilge pumps and more are below.

A four-step telescoping ladder pulls out of the hull’s transom and is useful for getting back onboard after a swim or, more importantly, in case you’re alone and fall over.

Built tough

Construction is solid thanks to the hand-laminated hull with vinyl ester resin-infusion. Infused to the hull is the foam-filled structural stringer grid system and a beefy 5-ply composite transom system. Standing behind the quality is Pursuit’s five-year hull, deck and blister-free warranty.

Finished in fresh white gelcoat, there are hull and helm color options, including titanium, flag blue, Neptune grey and more. A few other niceties that come with or can be added to the 266 are standard bow and stern eyes, recessed Lewmar windlass anchor system, Mediterranean-style sun shades, ski tow package, power steering, underwater LED lights and more.

Feel free to go anywhere and do anything. The Pursuit DC 266 won’t stop you.

DEALERS

Centerpointe Yacht Services
centerpointeservice.com

South Shore Marine
southshoremarine.com

Walstrom Marine
walstrom.com