Pursuit DC 265 Review

Pursuit Boats is based in Port Pierce, Florida, and maintains that its products are constructed with the highest standards of design and material quality. Producing 350 to 400 boats a year, Pursuit Boats specialises in midrange fishing boat models ranging from 25 to 40ft (7.6 to 12.2m). The dual console Pursuit DC 265 therefore sits in the middle of the fleet. With a beam of 2.67m and a fuelled weight more than 3500kg it’s essentially a drystack or moored option except for those brave souls with a monster truck and a wide load permit.

Construction on the Pursuit DC 265 is from handlaid vinylester resin with heavy layup over the keel and a unified grid of stringers and crossbeams infused to the hull for strength and rigidity. In a hint to the boat’s build quality, all marine wiring is tinned copper in a purpose-built harness and electrical components are connected to the harness with waterproof plugged electrical connections.

A custom aluminium trailer is available for the task and, I must say, it was a pretty awesome sight on the short run from the yard to the launch ramp. Looking up at the bow with the boat still on the trailer, generous arcs of flare and liberal servings of reverse chine are on show along each side.

Dual console

Looking through the spec sheet leaves the indelible impression that this is a serious fishing boat – with giant killtank, rocket launchers, plumbed bait tank and, although not shown in the photos, even Rupp Revolution Top Gun aluminium outriggers. But as soon as you board there’s a level of fit and comfort that belies its predatory nature.

To explain the dual console classification, the passenger and driver each have impeccably moulded consoles ahead of them, leaving a central walkthrough to a roomy bow where deeply padded lounges echo the soft feel under the bum of the transom and side lounges in the cockpit.

Adding to the comfort of the crew is a sink and shower with freshwater, a decent-sized head and that hardtop to keep the sun at bay.

Despite all the fishing oriented inclusions, Pursuit describes the DC 265 as its family fun and casual fishing model, so it fits the crossover style and would be equally at home entertaining guests as pulling big fish over the side. To be honest, though, I wouldn’t like to drag smelly fish across those carefully finished lounges even with clip-on canvas covers in place to offer some protection.

Layout

A Delta Fast-Set plough anchor is recessed neatly below the bow of the Pursuit DC 265, so with a Lewmar winch under a wide hatch it leaves the forepeak as a large, flat and non-skid boarding step.

Each bow lounger lifts back on sturdy piano hinges to reveal large, drained storage hatches either side – I liked the way their friction stops allow them to stay open when loading them up. Occupants get grabhandles, cupholders and a set of speakers from a Clarion sound system with the head unit in the passenger glove box.

A lounge at the transom leaves space to starboard for a walkway and both it and a portside lounge fold out of the way for fishing, leaving plenty of room to move around freely in the cockpit, although I imagine a bias for fishing on the starboard side. Not only is it completely uncluttered, it makes more sense to be playing big fish where the skipper can keep an eye on the action.

Padded coamings around the cockpit support the angling bias of the boat and there are rod racks along the starboard side, rod and cup holders on the sidedecks and a four-slot rocket launcher built into the hardtop.

The transom is all serious fishing too. To port is a plumbed 72lt livebait tank lined in blue, while a 117lt fishbox with macerator sits centre stage with another metre-long storage box in the floor to handle a bigger catch. A fresh and raw water washdown will keep the deck clean, with most of the muck draining overboard through the corner scuppers of the self-draining deck.

Helm

A tall, toughened glass Taylor Made windscreen wraps around the helm and combines with clears connected to the hardtop to enclose the helm to the front and sides. It makes a roomy space that’s well protected from the elements and at 2m high has ample headroom. Vision all around is excellent and panels of clears are easily removed for unlimited fresh air.

A single moulding to starboard supports back-to-back seating and a central section that includes a brace for the hardtop and a couple of cupholders. The fixed-position co-pilot’s chair sits atop a pair of slide-out storage drawers and the rear-facing seat is great for keeping an eye on lures or watertoys and opens to a large icebox.

Ahead of the co-pilot, a side-opening door leads down to the head where an electric toilet is connected to a holding tank with macerator. It is easy to access and I found adequate room to move and a moulded sink with freshwater.

The helm chair is a comfortable bucket style with bolster on a sturdy pedestal. There is good height adjustment and moulded footrests are well placed to offer support when driving. Behind the helm seat is a moulded bait (or food) preparation table with a sink and removable cutting board. It’s a great addition and crew will appreciate the ability to keep hands clean when handling bait and fish.

Handling and ride

On the run from Toronto to the seaway at Swansea we were able to give the 350hp Verado outboard motor full rein across the flat waters of Lake Macquarie. We had the hull planing at a very efficient 9kts, with impressive acceleration out of the hole and a brisk top speed of 45kts.

Handling in calm water was lively and fun for a boat of its size and showed no sign of cavitation in hard turns.

Once across the bar the Pursuit DC 265 made easy work of the short 1m chop and a low swell. The ride was soft and, even when getting most of the hull out of the water, it landed with no fuss or banging. Coming back through the bar the boat felt safe and competent in the following sea, with ample power to drive through waves without any tendency to broach.

Price

Lifestyle Marine order their stock boats with the factory options they consider most buyers would want, so the local package includes the aft folding seats, electric winch, electric toilet and tank, hardtop, outriggers and plumbed live tank. So, for a $216,000 price as tested, you only need to add your choice of marine electronics and a trailer ($15,000) if needed. Hard core anglers might think it a touch too refined, but for those who like some comforts its versatile design will fulfil many different roles without compromising too much on fishing.

The Trade-a-Boat verdict

With the DC 265, Pursuit has certainly taken a different path in delivering a fun all-rounder in a useful fishing platform. Its design recognises that a boat can have more than one intention and the comfortable bow seating will go a long way to supporting recreational activities for the whole family. At the same time it’s a well-engineered and very capable sea boat with a big range and inherent safety for heading offshore.

Pursuit DC 265 sea trials

Single 350hp Mercury Verado

* Sea-trial data supplied by the author.

HIGHS

• High level of build quality and fittings

• Lots of fishing room

• Good, stable ride and long range

LOWS

• It could use more room on the dash for bigger screens

Pursuit DC 265 specs

Pursuit DC 265 price: $216,000 (price as tested)

GENERAL

MATERIAL GRP

TYPE Monohull

LENGTH 7.65m

BEAM 2.67m

WEIGHT 2664kg (dry with engine)

DEADRISE 21°

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE 8

REC. HP RANGE 150 to 350

FUEL 526lt

WATER 70lt

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL Mercury Verado 350 outboard motor

TYPE Supercharged, inline, six-cylinder, four-stroke outboard motor

RATED HP 350

DISPLACEMENT 2598cc

WEIGHT 300kg

GEAR RATIO 1.75:1

PROPELLER 19 x 16.25in four-blade

SUPPLIED BY

Lifestyle Marine

1 Wharf Road, Toronto, NSW, 2283

Phone (02) 4959 1444

Email info@lifestylemarine.com.au

Web lifestylemarine.com.au