Pursuit S 358: 2025 Boat Buyers Guide

Pursuit Boats makes, to exacting yacht standards, high-quality, luxury offshore fishing boats in dual-console, offshore, and sport center-­console formats—all proven and popular layouts—in lengths from 24 to 44 feet.

Made in two state-of-the-art facilities in Fort Pierce, Florida, Pursuit is part of the Tennessee-based Malibu Boats family, which also includes recreational and fishing powerboat brands Cobia, Pathfinder, Maverick and Hewes. 

Pursuit’s designers and engineers take great consideration in a boat and its propulsion system that manifests in optimal ride and handling. Hull construction consists of resin-infused fiberglass grid systems, and gelcoat finishes are ultra-premium. 

The company, a boatbuilder for nearly 50 years, crafts its own custom-made components, and touts its helms as “intelligently designed.” Owners and other experts agree and approve: The company received the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s prestigious Innovation Award in 2018, again in 2022, and has earned the NMMA CSI award every year since its inception. 

Pursuit Boats carry five-year hull and deck structural warranties, a five-year blister-free warranty, plus two-year limited warranties. They’re transferable, and resale values are among the industry’s highest for good reason.

Pursuit S 358

Pursuit’s S 358, its first-ever 35-foot center-console, joins the S 268, S 378 and S 428 in the company’s Sport line of yacht-standard CCs. 

The S 358 boasts an enclosed head—a sure shortcut into the hearts of many family members. So is the custom fiberglass bow table that can be raised and lowered by an electric actuator to become a table, sun pad or footrest; it also can be lowered flush to the sole to ­create an open-space bow deck.

Standard seating aft includes a split foldaway mezzanine seat whose starboard side folds down to provide access to the entertainment center and its grill, sink, cutting board and refrigerator—without claiming most of the sitting space in the transformation. Also standard is Pursuit’s patented fold-down transom seat. 

At the helm, available in six colors, triple custom seats welcome captain and crew with folding armrests, ­flip-up bolsters, and lumbar support. Handling is made easier with the standard bow thruster and optional joystick-directed Yamaha electrical steering. A standard Garmin package provides navigation, operation and fishing info, and options include FLIR night ­vision, Garmin rear-facing camera, and SiriusXM weather receiver.

Upgrades include cabin air conditioning and heating, generator, Seakeeper 2 gyrostabilizer, underwater lights, and spotlight. Optional sunshade, aft curtains and three-sided enclosure add even more comfort.

Pursuit boats are fishing machines first, and that’s aided in the S 358 by a 32-gallon livewell, 12 rod holders, a tackle center, in-floor insulated fish boxes port and starboard with diaphragm pump-outs, and a 23-gallon transom storage box. Fishing options include hardtop-mounted rod holders, additional transom rod holders, and outriggers.

The standard hullside door makes it easy to slide a large fish onto the deck or to enter the water for a swim. Water access extends to integrated transom platform extensions beyond the engines and a ­four-step telescoping flush-mounted boarding ladder.

A pair of Yamaha 450 XTO engines take the S 358 to a reported top speed of 51.5 mph.

Editor’s Note

Usually, the words “luxury” and “fishing boat” don’t go together, but Pursuit proves that even though the S 358 is a fishing-forward center-­console, there’s no reason those on board can’t feel pampered with creature comforts. Even old anglers will appreciate the posh features. -Alan Jones

Performance Data

Test Power: Twin Yamaha XTO Offshore 450 hp outboards
Test Props: 16 3⁄8″ x 20″ Yamaha XTO OS
Test Load: 20,651 lb.
Test Speed: 29.1 mph at 4,000 rpm
Max Range: 271 miles (10% reserve)

Specifications

Pursuit Boats – Fort Pierce, Florida; pursuitboats.com