Pursuit 3000 Offshore

It was with high anticipation that we joined Pursuit dealer Ryan Eastman of West Coast Marine aboard his 2003 Pursuit 3000 Offshore, in Newport Beach. High anticipation because I have been an admirer of the Pursuit product line, and the quality and high attention to detail found on the products of S2 Yachts, for many years.

I am not alone in my appreciation of the company's penchant for quality. Since it was founded in 1974, S2 Yachts has won regular industry recognition awards and high marks for everything from the company's engineering, to sales and marketing, to consumer service and confidence.

The Pursuit line of boats was introduced by S2 in 1977, and the popular fishing-boat line grew quickly enough that by 1983 a new plant was built in Fort Pierce, Florida, where the Pursuits are constructed today.

The Pursuit 3000 Offshore that we tested off the Southern California coastline was originally introduced as the latest Pursuit model back in July of 1994 at Pursuit's annual dealer meeting. However, like all Pursuit products, the company has steadily improved the vessel ever since, and the 2003 model that Ryan and I ran through its paces off the pricey beachfront homes south of the Newport Harbour breakwater, had evolved significantly in the decade since its introduction.

NICE THROWBACK
On first sight, the Pursuit 3000 Offshore clearly shows its heritage in the classic styling of the great Palm Beach sportsfishing boat designs of an earlier era. One first impression was that it had all the right gear in all the right places and was probably not designed first as a "convertible" to fulfil a multitude of boating options, then modified to into a gamefishing machine.

The generous 12ft beam of the 3000 Offshore gives it a large fishing cockpit, although I was disappointed to note that it did not seem to be deep enough to comfortably swing a full-size gamechair. Aussie gamechairs with the drop-angle footrest and any smaller fighting chairs would probably be no problem however, and it seemed that if Pursuit was willing to eliminate the moulded fishbox in the transom, a big chair might just work.

The builder does include virtually all the other amenities any gamefisherman would want, including two cushioned combination fish/storage cooler boxes that also provide excellent seating. The bait prep centre is in the cockpit - close to the action and well equipped with a cutting board, tackle lockers, insulated circulating livewell and a sink with spray hose. The transom-mounted fishbox/livewell has an overboard drain, and there are four Lee's rodholders mounted in the covering boards. Our test boat also had the optional cockpit shower, neatly tucked away within reach of the nicely moulded-in walkthrough transom door. The cockpit cushioning was at the right height (mid-thigh) and would serve well in an extended stand-up battle.

TOWERING SUCCESS
Ryan had also specified the optional tower with full controls and a pair of Rupp 23ft outriggers on our test boat. The tower was practical, well built and a comfortable and fully-functional place to spend an entire day chasing gamefish.

While most serious tournament fishing skippers would probably live in the Offshore 3000's tower, the centreline helm with it's tall, adjustable Pompanette pedestal seat is also an excellent place to operate the boat - particularly in foul weather on longer passages, with the clear surround curtains in place. There are additional pedestal seats to port and starboard, and both swing easily to an aft-facing position to allow anyone sitting alongside the skipper to watch the baits while maintaining easy communication.

The 3000's centreline command helm provides tons of room for a full electronics suite, and surprisingly good visibility. It also tilts-away for easy access to wiring and controls. Morse engine controls are standard, but our test boat had the new Volvo EDC engines and their associated electronic controls (in the tower and at the command helm), which were very impressive and superior to other electronic controls I've had occasion to use recently.

The helm console features multipurpose VDO instrumentation, proprietary switch panels, and everything was thoughtfully laid out and easy to access, read and use. The grey helm colour option would always be my first choice, especially considering it is available at no extra charge. 

HEART OF THE MATTER
There are two ways to access the engineroom on the 3000. One is a drop-through hatch under the helmchair, which would be used for quick fluid-level checks prior to a day on the water. The other access is by lifting the entire command deck via its electric ram for full access to the well-laid-out engineroom.

The boat's 12ft beam makes the engine spacious enough to get things done mechanically. Wiring runs and plumbing were nicely done, and the engineroom insulation proved to be an excellent sound deadener.

Ryan had opted for a pair of the Volvo KAMD300 diesels on this boat, and the 285hp per side and Volvo's proprietary EDC electronic diesel control system made the boat impressively responsive. The twin 385hp Crusader gas (petrol) engine option would clearly make the 3000 Offshore a speed-demon.

INNER SPACE
If the cockpit, helm and engineroom on the 3000 Offshore were planned and engineered for function, the cabin was planned and engineered for practical luxury.

The interior of the 3000 we tested was beautifully detailed in teak with a teak and holly cabin sole - cream-coloured leather and contemporary fabrics were used throughout, including a blue/gold marlin print bedspread that blends nicely with the rest of the interior finishes (there are four different fabric interior options).

The cabin has a spacious, functional feeling that will accommodate four adults for sleeping and for meals. The multi-positionable teak table with its high-gloss finish and marlin inlay is an eye-catching yet utilitarian feature. The galley, which is at the aft end of the cabin, has a 110V electric cooktop, microwave oven, AC/DC refrigerator, a sink and a remarkable amount of storage considering the minimal space the galley takes up.

There is an athwartships queen berth at the front of the cabin with a mirrored forward bulkhead. Three overhead hatches provide plenty of light and adequate ventilation if the optional generator and air conditioning are not installed. The starboard-side lounge's backrest converts into a neat upper/lower berth arrangement. Rod storage is accommodated in several ways, including a standing rod locker in the aft cabin bulkhead. Additional gear storage is provided under various bunks, seats and fixtures.

The design engineers at Pursuit have done a good job with installing a practical head compartment into a minimum of space. The shower can be utilised underway by lowering a drop-down seat across the toilet. 

WALKING THE WALK
Okay, so the boat is functional and well engineered and luxuriously appointed and all that - how did it perform?

With a hull designed for optimum performance and a soft, dry ride, it did good. As I mentioned earlier, the Volvo power and control package was very responsive. Manoeuvring the boat for the first time was easy, intuitive and comfortable, and after quickly getting the hang of it I was able to pirouette after the imaginary marlin we always chase on boat tests, with alacrity. It accelerated well, planed when I thought it oughta, and ran up through its power range smoothly and easily.

Factory tests indicate the Volvo KAMD 300 diesels will run the boat up to about 30kt at roughly 3800rpm, with lure-trolling speed found at about 1500rpm. The boat will deliver about 590 miles of range with standard fuel tankage - at that trolling speed - and should run 300 miles at 23kt, which is attained at about 3200rpm, according to Pursuit's tropical water tests.

I don't always come away from a sea trial wanting to own the boat, but in this case I did - especially if I could get Pursuit to make a couple of moulding changes to accommodate a big chair. But even if that were not possible, I came away feeling I had tested a great sportsfishing dayboat (especially for light-tackle and stand-up anglers), which would be easy for a couple to fish productively without crew, and would comfortably accommodate up to four adults or a small family for overnight forays. It also seemed to have all the bells and whistles in a compact, thoughtfully engineered, easy-to-maintain, relatively inexpensive-to-operate gamefishing machine.

If I ordered one tomorrow I'd duplicate every option Ryan selected for his 3000 Offshore, except I'd also opt for the 'Fighting Lady Yellow' hull colour. Can't help it, I like coloured hulls. I like the Pursuit 3000 Offshore a lot too.