The Pursuit S 358: Where Yacht-Grade Craftsmanship Meets 35-Foot Versatility
Photo Credit: Pursuit Boats
Picture a Saturday morning in the Florida Keys. The forecast calls for light chop, and the swordfish bite has been strong along the edge in 1,600 feet. By midday, you have fish in the box and a crew that has earned an afternoon at anchor off a mangrove island. The cockpit transforms from working fishing deck to open-air lounge in minutes, the grill fires up, and cold drinks appear from the built-in refrigerator. This is the kind of day the Pursuit S 358 was engineered to deliver — and it delivers it with a level of craftsmanship that most builders reserve for boats ten feet longer.
Who It's For
The S 358 targets the owner who wants a single platform that does everything well and nothing halfway. If you fish seriously enough to demand a 32-gallon livewell, in-floor fish boxes with diaphragm pump-outs, and 12 rod holders — but you also entertain frequently enough to need convertible seating for a dozen guests, an enclosed head, and air conditioning — this is the center console that refuses to make you choose. Pursuit builds to what it calls "yacht standards," and that commitment shows in every detail, from the ultra-premium gelcoat finishes to the surgically clean wiring in the mechanical spaces below.
Design and Layout
At 37 feet 4 inches with an 11-foot 4-inch beam, the S 358 packs a remarkable amount of usable space into a center-console footprint. The aft cockpit is where the boat's dual personality shines brightest. Pursuit's patent-pending folding transom seat and split aft-facing mezzanine seat deploy thick cushions and auto-flip backrests for comfortable social seating, then stow flush to create a wide-open fishing deck when the rods come out. A dedicated entertainment center houses a 120V grill, sink with removable cutting board, pull-out stainless refrigerator, and slide-out trash receptacle — the kind of thoughtful integration you notice after a full day of use rather than during a boat show walkthrough.
Forward, the bow seating features electrically actuated backrests and a motorized table that raises, lowers, or drops flush to the sole to create a sunpad — all at the touch of a button. Insulated storage below the seats keeps provisions cold. The helm seats three across on custom captain's chairs with individual folding armrests, flip-up bolsters, and lumbar support, with room for dual 16-inch Garmin displays on the tilting dash.
The S 358 holds a distinction worth noting: it offers the largest cabin and only enclosed head in the 34- to 35-foot center-console market. The forward berth converts from a settee to a sleeping berth, and the private head includes a VacuFlush porcelain toilet, sink, and shower — a genuine overnight capability that most competitors in this size range simply cannot match.
Performance and Range
Twin Yamaha 450 XTO outboards come standard, delivering 900 total horsepower and pushing the S 358 to a top speed of 51.5 mph. At a comfortable cruise of roughly 31.8 mph at 4,000 RPM, fuel burn stays efficient enough to yield a range of approximately 270 nautical miles from the 343-gallon tank with a 10 percent reserve — more than enough for serious canyon runs or confident island-hopping.
The hull's 22-degree deadrise and aggressive reverse chine deliver a soft, dry ride through confused seas, and the resin-infused fiberglass grid construction provides structural rigidity without unnecessary weight. A standard bow thruster simplifies close-quarters maneuvering, and Yamaha's Helm Master EX joystick option takes docking stress down to near zero. For owners who anchor frequently, an optional Seakeeper 2 gyrostabilizer virtually eliminates roll at rest — a feature typically associated with vessels well above this size class.
By going with twins instead of triples, Pursuit preserved valuable swim platform real estate. Integrated transom extensions reach past the engines on both sides, and the covered splashwell provides full-width walkability at the transom — a practical advantage that Power & Motoryacht's review specifically highlighted for boarding and engine access.
The Ownership Proposition
New S 358 pricing starts around $530,000 with Yamaha 425 XTOs and climbs to the $800,000 range with the 450 XTO package and a full electronics and comfort suite. Pre-owned examples from 2022-2023 trade in the $370,000 to $570,000 range depending on hours and options. Pursuit's reputation for build quality and the S 358's strong market reception — owner reviews consistently praise both the ride and the fit-and-finish — support healthy residual values.
Running costs benefit significantly from the twin-engine configuration: two Yamaha XTOs consume less fuel, require fewer service intervals, and cost less to repower than a triple setup of comparable total horsepower. The optional diesel generator runs cabin and cockpit air conditioning independently of the main engines, keeping the boat comfortable at anchor without burning premium outboard fuel.
A Buyer's Story
Consider the case of a Charleston-based attorney and his wife who had spent five seasons with a well-known 34-foot center console. They loved the fishing capability but had grown frustrated by the lack of a real cabin and the absence of any enclosed head — amenities his wife considered non-negotiable for trips beyond a day run. When they walked the S 358 at the Charleston In-Water Boat Show, the enclosed head with its hot shower and the air-conditioned cabin with a convertible berth changed the conversation entirely. They specified the boat with Yamaha 450 XTOs, the Seakeeper option, and the full Garmin electronics suite. Two seasons later, their weekend trips to the Gulf Stream have extended from dawn-to-dark sprints into relaxed overnighters anchored off Cape Lookout — and their annual family trip to the Bahamas no longer requires chartering a bigger boat.
Setting Your Course
The Pursuit S 358 occupies a rare sweet spot in the center-console market: yacht-level build quality, genuine fishing credentials, and real overnight capability in a 35-foot package that runs on twin outboards. For the owner who wants one boat that truly does it all, this is a compelling answer.
Explore full specifications at YachtSpecsDirect.com. Browse available Pursuit inventory at mintedyachts.com/pursuit.