Pursuit S 388 Sport

The new S 388 Sport from Pursuit boasts both functional and aesthetic innovation with a mix of features that render it a fishing machine that will please the most ardent saltwater anglers, while at the same time satisfy all who value amenities for cruising, overnighting and sandbar entertaining. The Pursuit S 388 supplants the vaunted S 378 model, offering more storage and features developed with assistance of  customer feedback. I applaud Pursuit’s design team for balancing appearance with function. From trolling offshore to docking at a waterside eatery—it will capture admiring stares. The sheer line provides an aggressive stance, yet there’s plenty of freeboard to provide security while fishing in rough seas. 

Pursuit’s trademark twin swim platform extensions provide enhanced water and service accesss, and also stretch the lines of the boat. I applaud both the ability to easily walk from port to starboard in front of the engines and the placement of the stern cleats. Mounted low and farthest aft, these better enable cross-tying without fouling on the outboards. The dive door is broad, with a low sill—easier for boating fish.

The hullside windows lend high style to this Pursuit’s appearance. Also, when inside the console-cabin, which itself is fitted with large windows, the sightlines lead straight through the hullside windows.

Ninety-three percent: That’s how much more storage overall this new boat offers versus its predecessor. This includes an optional cold plate available to refrigerate provisions and your catch. There’s also  a cockpit refrigerator. Pursuit raised the cockpit sole to enable the large fish boxes and also a bigger fuel tank. What’s more, the hull is 8 inches longer than the S 378 that this S 388 replaces. 

Service access under the cockpit sole impressed me. The rigging is neat, and I could easily get my hands on fixtures and fittings. The batteries live on  slide-out shelves (port and starboard), a great advantage known to anyone who has struggled to slide batteries sideways into a tight space. 

I took the wheel of the S 388 Sport, protected from wind blast by the laminated-glass console windshield. It took off easily and, even at mid-range cruising speeds, nearly jumped when I mashed the throttle. Response like that indicates it’ll be a good boat in confused seas and raging inlets. Cornering proved confident and predictably sure even during hard-over turns at 45 mph. The optional Seakeeper 4.5 gyro kept us comfortably stable.

Pursuit integrates fishing equipment with the same attention to detail and durable strength as everything else on the S 388. It is not just added on—it’s built in. Rocket launchers are mounted on the corners  of the top so the cockpit shade can deploy. Twelve rod holders grace the gunwales, and there’s lockable under-gunwale rod stowage, plus a rack on the underside of the hardtop. There’s a 36-gallon lighted livewell with a blue interior on the transom to keep enough pilchards or other bait du jour lively for an entire day of fishing. The livewell is joined by a large transom cooler that that can be optioned with a cold plate, as mentioned earlier. 

Fishboxes feature diaphragm pumps, which will evacuate scales, fish-bits and gruel without clogging. The tackle center on back of the aft-facing seating provides tackle storage, leader racks and more. Fold down the backrests to reveal hard work surfaces for tying rigs. 

An aft bench, combined with the seating on the aft side of the tackle center, provides plenty of places to comfortably take a load off en route to the grounds. A removable table creates an al fresco dining area here, and Pursuit provided clever stowage for that table in the middle area of the console. 

The S 388’s inviting console cabin is accessed via a companionway with a molded acrylic door on the portside of the helm area. Cabin entry steps with solid wood treads lead down to a fully molded interior that includes the Vista View side windows, which allow sightlines through the hull-side windows. 

For overnighting or napping, opposing settees convert to a berth with filler cushions. A mini-galley includes a Corian countertop, 120-volt microwave, two 12-volt drawer-style refrigerator/freezers, a slide-out pantry cabinet, a 24-inch Smart TV, a solid wood dining table with removable table leg and dedicated storage for six rods (four in-floor, two in the starboard backrest storage). For sultry nights afloat, the cabin is also air conditioned, powered by the S 388’s onboard diesel generator.  

You’ll also discover a private head compartment with a wood-framed entrance door and a full-length mirror. A vanity features a Corian countertop, designer sink, a hot/cold faucet, and a 120-volt electrical outlet. A VacuFlush porcelain marine toilet is equipped with a 22-gallon holding tank and discharge pump. The head also includes a shower with a hot/cold mixing valve and shower wand, as well as a shower curtain on a track. 

Of note is Pursuit’s Puretech Suite, a trademarked collection of the latest technology. Our test boat featured Puretech Suite Tier 1, for boats longer than 32-feet. This included Garmin electronics with a custom multifunction display startup page and engine diagnostics; a JL Marine Audio system optimized for the boat; and Siren Marine telematics for remotely monitoring your boat and keeping tabs on its condition and location from afar. 

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The Puretech Suite dovetailed nicely with the cutting-edge Yamaha technology including integrated Electric Steering (DES), Helm Master EX Digital Electronic Control (DEC) and Yamaha Joystick Control with Full Maneuverability (Set Point and Autopilot), Multifunction Display Interface, and Manual Engine Flushing System. These systems will likely make even the biggest tech fanboy drool.

If you want the ride, seakeeping and layout of a center console to pursue saltwater fishing with as much passion as your other pleasures, I suggest scheduling a sea trial aboard Pursuit’s S 388 Sport. Do so, and you will likely return in possession of a new definition for the word versatile as applied to boats.

Specifications

Pursuit Boats – Fort Pierce, Florida; pursuitboats.com