Boat Test: 2025 Pursuit S 328 Sport

Overview

On our outing aboard the newly revamped Pursuit S 328 Sport, I realized why Pursuit is the perfect name for this builder. Fishermen are always in pursuit, but the conditions, well, they’re not always perfect. This applies equally to boaters simply seeking to head home after a day at the beach or a weekend up the coast. In fact, conditions can be downright crappy, as we discovered after leaving the dock. I’m not exactly inexperienced, having endured everything from meltemis on the Aegean to mistrals in the Med to Santa Anas in the Catalina Channel. But the Gulf Stream—that massive ocean river flowing implacably north at several knots—can turn growlers into whitecapped square-edged opponents.  

Engines

Set the stage: It was blowing a solid 30-plus, and we were heading directly into it at over 50 mph with the twin Yamaha 350s hard against the stops. That gave us an 80 mph breeze across the deck, or easily a Category 1 hurricane. 

Interior and Accessories

I was settled comfortably in the aft-facing foldout couch behind my two companions in the helm seats, who were protected from that hurricane and occasional misting of spray by the dashboard-to-hardtop windshield and side glass. The (remaining) strands of my hair were barely ruffled as I watched the long white ribbon of wake behind us. It may not have been perfect weather, but it was clearly Pursuit weather. Let’s go!

The S 328 is a reimagining of an earlier 328, which was the ­bestselling 32-footer on the market for more than eight years. It takes courage to tinker with success, but Pursuit interrogated owners and dealers to find out how to make it better. And Pursuit did.

Consider the cockpit. It now has a transom cooler with dividers but without sacrificing any transom rod holders (five behind the cooler, eight on the hardtop, with two facing out for ­kingfish, more in the coaming). The opening of the Oceana Blue 24-gallon livewell is bigger to take larger nets and, in the sole, there are two large fish boxes with 2 inches of insulation. Two fold-down lounges face a pair of removable tables (dedicated storage is provided) that can also be used forward. An oversize hatch opens to a mechanical space with filters, plumbing, and the optional 5 kW Fischer-Panda diesel genset ($27,285 with a 16-gallon tank). All are easy to reach and all clearly labeled.  

Unlike many boats with either one or the other, the cockpit seat folds away, revealing an entertainment center with an extra-wide sink—better for laying out your ballyhoo full length—and a Kenyon grill. Tackle storage fills the drawers, and there are ample under-gunwale rod racks, plus more in the hardtop and cabin. And the fully opening port boarding door has hinges and a latch that may have been stolen from Fort Knox, plus a dive-style four-step boarding ladder.

The skipper and one (or two) ­companions get the royal treatment with comfy seats, ­bolsters and flip-down footrests at the helm. The dash features twin 16-inch Garmin recessed monitors above Yamaha throttles, Lenco trim tabs and Carling backlit rocker switches. The monitors also display the custom-configured Pursuit interface as part of the Puretech Suite, which also includes a Siren Marine app-based remote monitoring and security system. JL Audio throughout includes multiple hardtop speakers. A Lewmar electric bow thruster makes maneuvering painless. The sliding hatch above the seating provides a breeze if needed, as does the electric vent at the top of the windshield. A hinged panel under the dash folds down to become a raised floor for skippers who want some extra height. I liked the DC power panel that was knee-high next to the helm seat. 

Forward, D-shaped seating (with electric backrests) wraps around the bow, sharing removable tables with the forward-facing lounge. Kids love the bow, and this Pursuit has high-backs for secure bowriding. A Lewmar horizontal windlass is beneath a foredeck hatch, with through-bow roller and both fresh- and saltwater washdowns. 

Getting forward is both safe and easy, with 35-inch-deep walkways and 22 inches ­between console and coaming. No ­scrunching sideways here!

While the console seems low-profile, it has 6 feet, 2 inches of headroom and a convertible settee that slides out one-handed to become a V-berth. A VacuFlush porcelain toilet is just aft of the berth, and a Skandvik ceramic sink is on a mini vanity. With the Panda genset, you get an air-conditioned cabin for overnighting, and the 40-gallon diesel tank ­provides 40 hours of running time.

Underway, the S 328 Sport was a delight. Even in our “hurricane winds,” the spray was cast aside by the chine flats, the steering was precise and predictable, and the boat seemed immune to the seas and chop that we encountered. A Seakeeper gyrostabilizer is an option, but I don’t think that Aunt Edna would need it to keep from turning green. At trolling speeds, this Pursuit was solid.

Shopping around? Check out the Boston Whaler 330 Outrage, which costs $424,016 with twin Mercury 300s ($464,580 with twin Mercury 400 V-10s) and no berth, just a head inside the console.

A motto often linked to Pursuit is “­Fishing First,” and that’s certainly true, but I think a better adage is “Fishing and ­Family First.” This Pursuit checks a lot of boxes.

Read Next: Pursuit OS 325

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Yamaha F350 outboards
• Drive/Props: Outboard/15″ x 20″ SWS II 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 275 gal. Crew Weight: 700 lb.

High Points

• Flush ports for both engines are easily accessed in aft cockpit.  
• Deep, 2-inch cockpit gutters handle spray, rain and exuberant washdowns.
• Flush transom platform allows walking across. 

Low Points

• Cabin entry is narrow.
• Bow seating cushions are not removable. They won’t blow away, but this might ­hinder some casting efforts.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation