Pursuit S328

Pursuit left the original S 328 alone for a long time before redesigning it from the keel up rather than facelifting it. That's confidence. The new hull eliminates the motor well, the cabin gains standing headroom and opening portlights, and the cockpit layout finally solves the fishing-versus-socializing problem without feeling like a compromise. The build quality is where Pursuit separates from the pack. Hand-laminated hull with vinyl ester resin, five-ply composite transom, foam-filled structural grid. This is not a production boat pretending to be custom. It's engineered like a 50-footer and scaled down.

The S328 is for the owner who wants one boat instead of two. You fish 60 days a year and cruise another 40. You run offshore but you also anchor in the shallows. You want the option to sleep aboard without feeling like you're camping. If that's your profile, this boat makes sense. If you're a tournament angler who needs maximum cockpit space, look at a pure fishing platform. If you're a cruiser who occasionally wets a line, look at a dual console. The S328 lives in the middle, and it owns that space.

Resale on Pursuit boats is strong because the brand has a reputation for standing behind its product. The five-year hull warranty and blister-free guarantee matter when you're writing a check for half a million dollars. Maintenance costs are predictable. Yamaha outboards are bulletproof if you service them on schedule. The real question is utilization. If you're running 100-plus hours per year, the S328 pays for itself in versatility. If you're running 30 hours, you're overpaying for capability you're not using. Be honest about how you actually boat, not how you think you'll boat.

— Tony Smith, Founder, Minted Yachts