Raising the Flag; Exploring the Pursuit Offshore Series OS 445
Pursuit’s new flagship of the Offshore Series is as comfortable as it is ready for action.
One of the perks of working for a boating magazine is the opportunity to get out on the water in a new boat like the Pursuit Offshore Series OS 445. It doesn’t happen as much as you think, but if the timing is right (deadlines can be extremely restrictive), the occasion is rarely missed. When Pursuit Boats invited Southern Boating over to Tampa to check out its new model, we—or I—jumped at the chance.
I was standing on the end of the dock when a really sleek, Arctic blue hull slowly pulled up. She had a large molded hull-side frameless window, an enclosed cabin, and a profile that was strong, balanced, and able to head offshore.
At that moment, I knew this was what we came to see—the OS 445. She is Pursuit’s new flagship model in its Offshore series and its largest build to date—and it showed.
As she backed in to the slip, I noticed how nicely her triple pearl-white Yamaha Digital 425 XTO outboards fit within the aft platform that extended on each side of the engines with plenty of room for maintenance or boarding access. Looking up the length of the elevated side deck from the cockpit to the bow, it was easy to see there was lots of space to move around, and with the mezzanine-style seating in the cockpit and the outriggers and rod holders on the cabin top, I knew this was a boat that could accommodate the serious fisherman as well as the family.
Inside Comfort
Family is a major consideration when buying a boat, and the OS 445 does it with thoughtful design and quality appointments. The “bridge deck” is enclosed with the floor on the same level as the cockpit. Take a step up to the helm or to the salon settee and table for a raised 360-degree view through large side windows, a one-piece windshield, and an aft glass door alongside a flip-up picture window that brings the outside in and connects with those in the cockpit.
“The entire house was a very big development part of this project; it’s a departure for us,” says Christopher Gratz, vice president of engineering for Pursuit. “We kind of set the bar in our segment on fiberglass windshield systems, but we’ve never taken that to a fully enclosed bridge like this. Our goal on this boat was to fully enclose this bridge yet maintain the flexibility to have it open.”
The well-equipped galley features twin refrigerator/freezer drawers, a microwave, and a dual glass cooktop. And while I’m talking about it, out on the cockpit, the chef has access to a molded-in electric grill in the forward aft corner and the center sink with cutting board on the transom positioned between a 75-gallon insulated refrigerator/freezer and a 50-gallon lighted Oceana blue livewell, each with its own hinged lid. Talk about being right there to get the fresh catch on the table for dinner.
The accommodations below reveal a commodious main cabin with a queen-size, centerline berth with memory foam mattress atop a gas-assisted base with storage underneath. Hanging lockers with integrated shelving, portside vanity with mirror and makeup drawer, 12V outlets, USB chargers, a 32-inch smart TV, and plenty of light from the hull-side windows make this a comfortable place to rest and relax.
The starboard stateroom, also with a memory foam mattress, hanging locker, hull-side window, and 32-inch TV, has additional rod storage and a settee with storage. The head has two entry doors (one from the primary cabin) and is large enough to have a separate shower with partition wall and door, and the amenities to freshen up.
The interior both on the bridge deck and below is cooled, or heated, by a 240V/60 cycle variable-speed air conditioning system with reverse cycle heat.
The Pursuit Offshore Series Has Expert Helm Control
When the Yamaha 425 XTOs power things up, Integrated Digital Electric Steering, Helm Master EX Digital Electronic Control, Yamaha Joystick Control with full maneuverability (Set Point and Autopilot), multifunction display interface, and three remote engine flush ports will help keep the engines in check at the helm. Dual Garmin GPSMAP 8622 displays are standard. For the co-pilot in the portside seat, a Garmin GPSMAP 8616 display is available as an option.
The extra-wide portside companion seat moves up and down, fore and aft electrically and has an adjustable fore- and aft-facing backrest. The twin Stidd captain’s seat has folding armrests and also adjusts electrically.
A joystick-controlled bow thruster, Zipwake trim system, and JL Audio Media Master display add to the captain’s control for a safe, calm, and enjoyable ride.
Speaking of which, the ride was smooth with a uniform wake and solid tracking. Turns responded with the wheel as did acceleration with the throttle. It didn’t take much to know she handled well.
Back Outside
Back OutsideThere’s going to be a lot of action in the cockpit and up on the bow as they are fishing and entertainment central. Custom upholstery with Dri-Fast foam and mesh backing are the essentials to the aft-facing mezzanine seat and the patent-pending folding transom seat.
The mezzanine seat has the often sought-after air-conditioning vent along with folding armrests, charging ports, and storage. The transom seat has an extra-thick cushion with auto flip-up backrest, grab rails, and a solid surface top when stowed, necessary when banging against it while reaching in the livewell or in the insulated transom fish box/refrigerator/freezer.
Up on the bow, a cabana area consists of a large sunpad with adjustable backrests on the cabin top and a forward-facing bench. Between the cockpit and bow, I can’t tell you how many cupholders or USB charging ports are included, but you can go hands-free without a problem. If the sun starts to make you feel like you’re under a magnifying glass, optional sunshades are available for both areas—a bow Mediterranean-style sunshade with carbon poles and an electric, integrated retractable sunshade in the hardtop for the cockpit.
Now, for fishing. It’s all there. Rod holders are as abundant as drink holders: in the gunwale, the transom, and as an option, on the hardtop. Also as an option, there are premium outriggers with stainless steel bases and 20-foot black telescoping carbon fiber poles, full-motion crank control, and rigging kit. I mentioned the 50-gallon lighted transom livewell, which is insulated with a recirculating pump and acrylic window. I also mentioned the transom fish box, but there are two 82-gallon fish boxes with diaphragm pumps that pump overboard in the cockpit floor. There’s dedicated space for tackle boxes, rigging gear, and rod storage.
As I said, there is so much on this new model that you could easily spend long weekends on board doing everything from fishing to hanging at the sandbar to cruising local islands and reefs. The enclosed cabin protects you from the elements, the built-in entertainment and fishing features make time slip away, and the comfort zones lend to longer times on the water.
Speaking of comfort, the 12 kW Fisher Panda diesel generator is standard as is a Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer. Yep, comfort. With the options available, you can dress up this offshore vessel however you’d like, but one thing that won’t change is her captivating profile and the strength and agility of her design. She’s definitely one for the angler and the family too.
-by Steve Davis
