If you have the chance to point the bow of a Pursuit S368 Sport for the Abacos and some high-seas adventure, don’t even think about it: Just go! We did and got a salty taste of what this new center console (and her very capable little sister) can do when the pressure is on. Check out the scene in the gallery below.
When a boat company with a serious fishing heritage like Pursuit Boats calls and asks if we want to join them on a jaunt to the Abacos to put their latest models to the test, the answer is yes. This is the Pursuit S368 Sport, a burly, triple-outboard-powered center console with a versatile design.
We fished in tandem with another model recently launched by Pursuit, the S328 Sport, which uses twin outboards.
Mate Joe Beale rigs up in the foreground, while Sonny Hendrix, a Pursuit boat owner, helps set the spread from the roomy cockpit.
Pursuit does a great job with designing its windshields and hardtops—note the vent at the top edge of the glass. The console is big, but not so big that you feel like it obstructs sightlines. That’s Pursuit Marketing Director David Glenn at the helm talking with Power & Motoryacht Deputy Editor Jason Wood.
Hendrix sets a bait in the spread.
Beneath the shade of the hardtop of the S368 Sport Glenn sights some birds as our designated marlin angler, Julee Hendrix, looks on. With three seats behind the helm, and backing up to another three seats on the stern side of the leaning post, it makes for a comfortable rig for the crew offshore.
Beale rebaits a washed-out bait with a fresh ballyhoo. It’s key to keep those baits looking good to capitalize on the opportunity of a marlin when it strikes.
After trolling way offshore, we pointed the bow of the Pursuit S368 Sport to some shallower water to cool off and see the sights of the Abacos.
A cockpit dive door makes it easy to get in the water at anchor, while a ladder simplifies reboarding.
One never knows what will turn up beneath the surface: We happened upon the wreck of a steamship that made for some excellent snorkeling and exploring.
The wreck seems to stretch into the distance in all directions, slowly decomposing as it gets swallowed up by the sugary sand of the bottom.
A ditched aircraft—suspected of partaking in the drug trade many years ago—makes for another excellent dive spot.
Next stop, a curve of beach to put that soft sand to the test, along with the fore and aft sun shades on the S368 Sport, and the aft power sunshade on the S328 Sport.
It wasn’t even a long swim to the beach!
The next day, we headed back offshore, looking for the billfish bite.
Capt. Chase Cornell set out a spread on the S328 Sport.
Hendrix and Glenn discussed the day’s plan to find the fish.
Julee Hendrix puts the boots to her marlin with the help of Joe Beale as the crew looks on.
The crew takes in the action as Beale readies the fish for a healthy release.
With a layout that flows easily, the Pursuit S368 Sport made it easy for the angler and mate to have plenty of room to work, but the rest of the crew could still feel like a part of the action. Catch you next time!
Pursuit recorded the adventure for posterity. Have a look at how the story unfolded in their video here. ▶
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