March 31, 2026
The Pursuit S 288: When 30 Feet Feels Like 40
Pursuit S 288: a 30-foot center console that feels like a 40-footer, with twin Yamaha F300s or twin Mercury 300s, and a purpose-built layout…
Read the articlePursuit S288
Expert Review, Technical Specifications & Market Analysis
The Essentials
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 30' 0" |
| Beam | 9' 8" |
| Draft | 2' 2" (motors up) / 3' 0" (motors down) |
| Displacement | 10,049 lbs (with twin Yamaha F300 engines) |
| Engines | Twin Yamaha F300 V6 Offshore or Twin Mercury 300 V8 Verado |
| Fuel Capacity | 217 US gallons |
| Water Capacity | 26 US gallons |
| Cabins / Heads | Head compartment with electric flush marine head, 9-gallon holding tank, Corian countertop |
Source: Spec & Photos courtesy of Pursuit. Specs verified by Tony Smith, USCG 100 Ton Master, on August 11, 2026.
Part of the Pursuit Sport series — see how owners step up through the lineup.
Quick Verdict
- 600 horsepower on a 30-footer, from twin Yamaha F300s or twin Mercury 300 Verados — Pursuit publishes no performance test sheet for this model year, so there is no manufacturer top speed, cruise figure or range to quote
- Full-beam hardtop with integrated head compartment featuring electric flush toilet and Corian countertop sets it apart from competitors that treat the console as an afterthought
- Five-ply resin-infused transom system with patented reinforcement grid and 24 degrees of transom deadrise provides structural integrity and ride quality typically found on larger offshore models
Our Take
The S 288 is one of the better-executed 30-foot center consoles I've seen in the past five years. Pursuit didn't cut corners on the build. The hand-laminated hull with vinyl ester resin and the five-ply transom system are overkill in the best way. The twin F300s are the right power choice, and the Mercury 300 Verados are there if you prefer them. You get speed when you need it and efficiency when you don't. The boat handles inlet chop better than most boats five feet longer. That's not marketing. That's hull design and weight distribution done right.
This boat is for the owner who runs 100 to 200 hours per season and splits time between fishing and family use. It's not for the weekend warrior who wants a floating patio. It's not for the hardcore tournament angler who needs a 40-footer with a tower. The S 288 sits in the middle. It's the right size for a couple with kids or a small group of friends. At 9 feet 8 inches of beam it is a permit tow rather than a hitch-and-go, but it is manageable at the dock. It's the Goldilocks boat for a lot of South Florida owners.
Resale on Pursuit boats is strong. The brand has a reputation for build quality and the S 288 benefits from that. Pursuit boats tend to hold their value well in this segment if you maintain them properly. Maintenance costs are predictable because you're dealing with outboards. No surprises. No hidden expenses. The boat will cost you what it costs you. That's rare in this market.
Watch Our Pursuit S288 Reviews
Official Pursuit Premiere: Inside the Pursuit S288
Video courtesy of Pursuit.
Pursuit S288 Photo Gallery
Photos courtesy of Pursuit.
Pursuit S288 Articles & Guides
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Pursuit S288 a good offshore fishing boat?
It is built for it. The S 288 carries 24 degrees of deadrise at the transom, the sharpest hull of the three Sport models reviewed here and unusually deep for a 30-footer, on a hand-laminated hull with vinyl ester resin and a five-ply resin-infused composite transom with a patented reinforcement grid. Fishing provision is 60 gallons of insulated fish box in two 30-gallon compartments, a 24-gallon recirculating livewell, nine stainless rod holders and under-gunwale rod storage. The console holds a full head compartment, which is what lets the same boat do a family day.
How much fuel does the Pursuit S288 hold?
217 US gallons, with a separate 16-gallon diesel tank for the generator option. Pursuit notes that usable capacity is roughly 10 percent lower once EPA-required fuel-system components, temperature and loading are accounted for. Fresh water is 26 gallons, the holding tank is 9 gallons and the recirculating livewell holds 24 gallons.
How fast is the Pursuit S288?
Pursuit does not publish a top speed for the current-model-year S 288. It links a performance test PDF from almost every other model page on its site and links none from this one, so there is no manufacturer speed, fuel-burn or range figure for the boat, and no estimate is given here in place of one. What Pursuit does publish is the hardware: a 600-horsepower ceiling filled by twin Yamaha F300 V6 Offshores or twin Mercury 300 V8 Verados, against a 10,049-pound dry weight. Ask your dealer to run the boat with the propellers you intend to order.