Pursuit S 388

With all of the craziness that surrounds our world nowadays, many are retreating to their comfort zones for peace and safety.

And what better comfort zone is there than being onboard a Pursuit boat? My comfort zone for this day was in a seaside town on the east coast of Florida, checking out the latest from Pursuit’s nearby factory — the S 388 Sport Center Console.

I’ve been on a lot of Pursuit boats over the years, and they continue to build (rather, craft) well-designed, great-running, fun boats. I’ve never uncovered any real issues with them over the years. And to see the build process at the factory, including tank testing before completion, well, what they tell you and promote is exactly what you get. So yes, I find this brand a comfort to work with.

Now, that doesn’t mean I’m going soft on them and will overlook any issues. Nay, nay! I’m actually looking a bit closer, wanting to keep these guys honest, making sure they live up to the hype. And with the S 388, they certainly have.

By definition, the term “center console” refers to a boat with full walk-around decks. But from the sheer size, roomy cabin and seating options, it doesn’t feel like just a center console — it feels like something much more.

Power when needed

Replacing the S 378, this new S 388 is about 8 inches longer. There’s also additional fuel capacity (now 500 gallons versus 427 previously), extending the boat’s range. Coupled with triple Yamaha 450 XTO outboard engines, this craft saw some respectable numbers despite being the prototype model and hull No. 1.

We blasted through a light chop on the bay, running reciprocal courses and various rpm breaks. Wide open, the S 388 saw 55 mph — impressive for a 21,700-pound vessel. My figures from the testing are right on the figures Pursuit has published, so there’s no trickery there. Running at 3500 rpm will burn approximately 37 gph and speed along at 29 mph, giving a range of 350 miles. I expect the numbers to get a little better as Pursuit does final tweaks on the hull, weight distribution and props. Regardless, you have the range to get to your destination and the speed to beat it back in a hurry.

There’s a lot going on at the just-off-center helm: Wood trim accents, leather-wrapped and gloss black dash, stylish teak wood wheel, twin Garmin 16-inch multifunction displays, rocker switches, Yamaha joystick controller and throttles, to name a few. Triple helm seats are very comfortable and keep guests on either side of the operator. There’s essentially no distortion through the single-pane, optically clear laminated glass windshield with a center vent.

Keeping it covered is the integrated fiberglass hardtop with heavy-duty aft supports, grabrails, overhead electronic mounts, spots for outriggers, rod storage and speakers. Opt for the aft hardtop rear-facing display to monitor drift and fish without running back to the helm every time.

Tricking for fishing includes hardtop corner and transom rod holders (11), in addition to the 12 mounted around the gunwales and bow, Gemlux outriggers, a 36-gallon livewell, lockable rod storage, fishboxes and a tackle center. It does come pre-rigged with downrigger plates and wiring for electric reels and downriggers.

Sit down

For cruising comfort, there’s a host of seating options. My favorite is the oversized chaise lounger for two in front of the helm. A tilt-up leg rest adds to the comfort.

Adjustable backrests and armrests, as well as drink holders make this the place to chill. Forward at the base is a bench seat with an insulated cooler beneath. U-shaped seating is forward with side bench seats with backrests and a curved seat across the bow. There’s plenty of storage beneath each seat. Want to sit facing forward? Electric backrests swing out from the sides, creating lounge seats.

More seating abounds in the cockpit with the aft-facing mezzanine bench seat, complete with armrests. It’s a perfect spot for watching lines while trolling or keeping an eye on folks swimming in the water. It has three individual backrest cushions that fold down to reveal the hide-away tackle storage sections. Pursuit’s signature fold-out transom seat is included, with a thickly padded bottom cushion and backrest, as well as plenty of legroom. It folds away seamlessly when not in use, which is especially handy when you need a clear deck for fishing.

A wrap-around swim platform around the engines makes routine maintenance checks a breeze, while an aft boarding door to the cockpit aids with loading passengers. Pursuit also adds a starboard side boarding door that swings in and remains out of the way, which is important when pulling in a massive catch.

It’s easy to cook up that catch, as there’s an entertainment center just forward of the mezzanine seating, complete with an electric grill, sink, faucet, cutting board, padded bolster and slide-out racks. Drop in the fiberglass cockpit table for open-air dining.

No cabin fever

Did I mention the cabin? Below there’s a 24-inch LED smart TV and a forward dining V-settee that converts into a berth, so overnighting or even a weekend jaunt is not out of the question. The mini galley has a microwave oven, two 12V fridge/freezer drawers, a slide-out pantry and a fiddled Corian counter. Solid wood tongue and groove flooring is a classy touch, and four in-floor rod holders keep gear secure. The private head has Corian counters, a glass basin sink and a wet shower setup.

One thing I noticed right away were the windows in the hull sides; they’re part of the Vista View console side windows, bringing in tons of ambient light. From within the cabin, you can see through the hullside windows to the water. Neat idea!

Marketed as a lifestyle boat, the S 388 can handle any type of lifestyle you have. From cruising to fishing to rafting to beaching, this boat gets you into your comfort zone.