Pursuit revisits a popular sport centre console
Pursuit Boats has introduced a thoroughly revised S 288 as the American builder prepares to mark its fiftieth year. The new model is presented as the next evolution of a successful sport centre console, with improved usable deck area, a more thoughtfully arranged helm and a fresh set of family and fishing conveniences. It measures 30 feet overall and is aimed at owners who want capable offshore performance without giving up comfort during the relaxed parts of a boating day.
The 2027-model introduction gives the S 288 a timely place in the autumn boat-show conversation. Yet the important story is not its anniversary association alone. Pursuit says it has taken a deliberate look at the tasks that owners perform aboard, from handling a catch to boarding elderly relatives, and made practical changes to help one boat cover those needs more easily.
A deeper working cockpit with flexible seating
At 9 feet 8 inches across the beam, the S 288 has room for the builder's redesigned open cockpit. The manufacturer calls it one of the largest cockpit spaces in the model's class, a claim best evaluated in person because the amount of uninterrupted working deck is more useful than total cockpit area alone. A clear route between the transom, seating and helm will matter to anglers operating with several people.
The aft area combines a folding transom seat with a separate aft-facing mezzanine seat. Each can support guests between fishing sessions without permanently surrendering all the standing space at the stern. Buyers should see how easily the seats operate and whether access to lockers remains convenient while the furniture is deployed. A flexible arrangement earns its place only if changing modes is straightforward.
Fishing equipment remains central
Pursuit's published standard equipment includes a lighted 25-gallon recirculating livewell, two insulated 30-gallon fish boxes and dedicated rod storage. Stainless rod holders are distributed around the cockpit and transom, while the leaning post houses tackle drawers and other useful working compartments. The arrangement is sufficiently detailed to make this a serious fishing proposition rather than a purely social day boat with occasional rod holders.
The builder also offers preparation for a Garmin Force Kraken trolling motor, along with provisions for outriggers and electric reel connections. Some of these are factory options or pre-rigging rather than full installed systems, an important distinction for price comparisons. Anglers should prepare a list of their preferred electronics, baits and fishing methods and check the final deck against it before committing.
Hull dimensions and the offshore brief
The S 288 uses a deep-V hull with a stated 24-degree transom deadrise and Pursuit's fibreglass structural grid system. The manufacturer lists a hull draft of 2 feet 2 inches with the motors raised, rising to 3 feet with the motors down. Those dimensions suggest the boat is intended primarily for coastal and offshore use rather than access to very shallow flats.
An approximate dry weight of 10,049 pounds is quoted with twin Yamaha F300 outboards, but that figure is not an equipped displacement. Fuel, freshwater, passengers and safety gear alter both weight and balance. An owner comparing the S 288 with smaller boats should ask about hauling, berth handling and expected operating costs as well as how the hull behaves in the local sea conditions.
A modern dual-screen helm
Standard Garmin electronics are described as including two 12-inch multifunction displays, with space for larger dual 16-inch screens if specified. The helm was designed around visibility, access to information and an improved relationship between the seated captain and the rest of the cockpit. A sliding hatch in the broad hardtop contributes to ventilation and makes the covered driving position feel less enclosed in pleasant weather.
An arrangement with multiple large screens is only useful if the helmsman can read them clearly in sunlight and operate them in motion. A demonstration should include switching between navigation and sonar displays, locating essential manual controls and checking the view when docking. Pursuit also offers Yamaha and Mercury propulsion packages and optional joystick manoeuvring equipment, so the precise helm specification may vary.
A large-opening side boarding door
The new S 288 has an expanded portside boarding opening that the manufacturer says can swing through 180 degrees. It is paired with a dedicated telescoping ladder, useful for accessing the water or stepping aboard from a dock. That type of arrangement can be especially helpful for families who switch between fishing, swimming and marina visits during the same day.
Practical access is more complex than the width of the door alone. The water level, dock height and relative motion of boat and pontoon affect which entrance will be safest. Operators should learn the correct securing sequence and keep the ladder accessible. The presence of a transom walkthrough provides another option, reducing the need to force every boarding situation through the same point.
A front-entry head makes day trips easier
Behind the centre console, Pursuit includes a front-entry marine head with an electric freshwater-flush toilet, washbasin, storage and a small holding tank. The provision is significant for families who spend long days away from shore and do not want comfort to depend entirely on the next marina stop. Thoughtful details such as lighting and access steps are easier to assess onboard than from a published floor plan.
Owners should check whether the space works for their regular passengers and how the toilet and holding tank are serviced. In many boating areas, discharge is strictly controlled and shore pump-out is the appropriate routine. The boat also carries a listed 26-gallon freshwater tank, useful for handwashing and the cockpit shower, although the way it is used will determine how far that supply stretches.
Twin outboard power and fuel capacity
The manufacturer rates the new model for up to 600 horsepower and lists twin Yamaha F300s within its main specification. Mercury alternatives are also shown among equipment choices. A 217-US-gallon fuel tank supports the offshore brief, but Pursuit notes that not all of the tank's nominal capacity is usable under every condition and configuration.
The correct way to plan a fishing passage is from measured cruising consumption and the remaining usable fuel, not the product of advertised capacity and a best-case economy figure. Engine height, sea state, propellers and loading all influence results. Buyers should seek model-specific test data for the chosen power package and leave appropriate reserves rather than relying on assumptions carried over from the previous generation.
What makes this an anniversary-era redesign
Pursuit says the S 288 reflects the improvements learned from successive sport models, and its timing alongside the builder's fiftieth-year celebrations provides a natural moment to revisit a successful design. The changes range from conspicuous items, such as a larger side opening, to quieter refinements in storage and cockpit ergonomics. This is therefore a design-evolution story rather than a claim that the company invented a new category.
The 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show offers an opportunity to compare centre-console alternatives in the same market segment. Visitors interested in this particular Pursuit should confirm exhibition availability with the brand or an authorised dealer before attending. A detailed static inspection should be followed by an actual loaded sea trial where possible.
An owner-focused conclusion
The all-new S 288 combines a working fishing arrangement with features that make everyday boating less demanding for guests. A sizeable cockpit, well-organised tackle storage, dual-screen helm and broad side boarding opening all support that objective. Its appeal is strongest for people who spend real time offshore yet also want to share the boat with family or friends who do not fish.
The official Pursuit S 288 model page contains the manufacturer's detailed standard-equipment list, dimensions and optional power configurations. Prospective buyers should ask for the latest dealer specification and test the features under realistic circumstances. The best evidence of a successful redesign will be whether the boat actually reduces the compromises that owners encounter during an ordinary weekend on the water.