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2016 Fishing Boat Buyers Guide: Pursuit OS 355

Invite plenty of friends to share your angling adventure

Just because something’s a fishing machine doesn’t mean it needs to look and feel mechanical. Pursuit Boats has been putting grace and refinement into its fishing boats since founder Leon Slikkers began building them in his garage more than 60 years ago.

Many survey respondents commented that Pursuit boats are both fishing machines and comfortable, well-appointed family boats — double duty that’s important for many owners. They applauded the company’s designs, fit and ­finish, and, especially, ­customer service.

(Last year, the company won its 13th-consecutive prestigious NMMA CSI award, given for consistently tracking customer satisfaction and working steadily to push it even higher.) So it’s no wonder respondents most lauded the brand’s reputation.

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The company is right to be proud of its success in blending modern features, styling and materials in luxury, yacht-caliber fishing boats. That shows up in elements such as infused-fiberglass windshield frames that embrace seamless curved tempered-glass windshields. It’s in seating that invites sitters, head compartments that don’t seem like MRI tubes, and the elegant fishing appointments that invite you to fight the fish, not the gear and rigging.

Pursuit has been Yamaha-powered for more than 30 years. It knows how to ­continue a winning pattern.

OS 355

Pursuit’s newest Offshore entry, the OS 355, stretches to nearly 38 feet with hull-platform extensions that provide a sleek, stylish profile, along with gracious water access and maneuverability around the transom. At that transom stands ready a pair of Yamaha F350s, ahead of which the OS 355 cruises at 28.1 mph, with a range that stretches to 320 miles. You can bump up the speed a bit without ­dramatically bumping up the fuel bill, the company says.

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Invite plenty of friends to share your angling adventure: aft-facing cockpit seating, starboard pullout gunwale lounge seating, and convertible transom seating combine to welcome five guests to a cockpit entertainment center. When duty allows, the captain can rotate the helm seat 180 degrees to audit the fun.

The captain sits behind a single-piece, laminated, optically clear windshield that welcomes light into the stately helm deck, where large flush-mount electronics give clear navigation feedback and the skipper is in full control.

A large entry opens to an airy cabin with sleeping accommodations for four adults. Sunlight pours in from hull-side windows and a flush-mount forward hatch; port lights stand ready when needed. Cabin amenities include an electrically actuated, convertible berth/dinette; a 4.6 cu. ft. stainless-steel fridge/freezer; head and shower; and classic wood-finished cabinetry.

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Pursuit OS 355
Quick specs. LOA: 37’11” Beam: 12’0″ Fuel Capacity: 375 gal Max HP: 700 Courtesy of Pursuit Boats
Pursuit OS 355 helm deck
Pursuit’s helm deck is protected by a tempered-glass windshield set in a fiberglass frame. Courtesy of Pursuit Boats
Pursuit OS 355 below deck
Below-deck amenities in the 355 are undeniably spacious for a boat its size, and cabinetry is finely crafted wood with a durable sole. Courtesy of Pursuit Boats
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