Panache

Pursuit’s new dual console fits a
lot of living into a 26-footer.

By Bill Ando

There is something about a boat that is designed to do more than one thing. Usually they are neither fish nor fowl and end up relegated to the trash heap of boating memories. Pursuit’s new DC 265 Dual Console boat changes that paradigm, and it does it with panache. The new hull was conceived and engineered with family fun, casual fishing, cruising, and marine sport utility in mind; it covers all those bases well.

The dual helm is roomy; the enclosed and plumbed head is behind the port console. The windshield panel and a door hinged over the helm storage combine to close the walkthrough space. That’s a live baitwell on the port side of the transom-mounted fish box. The handle in front opens a fold-down seat.

Specifications:

L.O.A:    25′ 10″ (w/pulpit)
Beam:     8′ 9″
Hull Draft: 21″  (motor up)
Hull Draft: 37″ (motor down)
Average Dry Weight: 5,875 lbs (w/single 350 engine)
Max. Horsepower:     350hp (single engine)
Fuel/Water Capacity:  150/18.5 gals.
Range @ 27mph:     320 miles
MSRP w/ 1x 350hp Yamaha    $112,765

Contact:

Pursuit Boats
3901 St. Lucie Boulevard
Fort Pierce, Florida 34946
772-465-6006
pursuitboats.com

With a large open cockpit—and lots of gunwale space to mount rod holders—the boat will fish. There is a wide transom door opening onto a generous swim platform, for boarding a large catch or retrieving divers. Along the port side and transom, fold-down settees align with an aft-facing single seat (with an ice box under the cushion), forming an L-shaped settee. An enclosed head is opposite the starboard helm, behind an opening section of the console, and includes a manual porcelain toilet with a 13-gallon holding tank, macerator and deck pump-out fitting, a fiberglass molded sink with fresh water, and lighting.
During a recent sea trial on the ICW in Fort Pierce, Florida, the DC 265 performed excitingly, driven by the Yamaha 350-hp outboard option. Conditions were flat water with about 12 knots of breeze. The boat is sensitive and responds well to input, such as from trim tabs, but I never got the feeling that it was skimming. It held tight in sharp or shallow turns even at 42 mph. The DC 265 has a top speed of 49.4 mph at 5900 rpm.
The attention to detail is impeccable, as expected from Pursuit. The forward cushions in the bow hinge up, allowing access to the storage beneath. The helm features tilt steering, electrical switch panels, and enough space to mount the optional Raymarine C90 electronics package. Also optional are a hardtop and removable rear towing pylon, and an electric anchor system complete with stainless anchor roller.