Pursuit DC 365 Boat Test

Superb build quality, a long, long list of standard equipment, and multiuse versatility mark this new Pursuit.

Sport utility: It’s a phrase that has been bandied about for so long, first in automobiles and now boats, that it’s been dulled by corrupted usage. Some boats (and cars and trucks) place the emphasis on “sport” with little utility value. Others are purely utilitarian, spiced with a flashy decal in hopes of seeming sporty.

Pursuit, on the other hand, really gets it, and its new DC (dual console) 365 is an equal blend of sport and utility. Actually (I know, it’s not mathematically possible), the DC 365 is 70 percent sport and 70 percent utility. Here’s how we figure.The sport side of the 365 has impressive credentials: triple outboards, 50-plus-mph speeds, ­bowrider cockpit with lounge seating, sexy profile with hardtop, ­cockpit seating for the whole gang, and the double helm seat swivels to join the party. But when you want utility, check out these features: flip up the cockpit seating for serious fishing space, use the hullside door for diving, bait up from the 28-gallon livewell, or organize lures in the built-in tackle center. Ice your catch in oversize insulated fish boxes, and rinse the cockpit with either salt- or freshwater washdowns.

But the Pursuit DC 365 isn’t just a really cool sport “ute” — it’s your home on the water too. With the low profile, we didn’t expect much more than a tiny portable toilet in a box under the deck but, surprise, there’s full headroom and an enclosed head with electric toilet, vessel sink, and a most civilized shower with a door so you don’t soak everything. For weekending, the forward V-berth is pleasant, but we might opt for the larger berth aft, which, at 52 by 80 inches, is just shy of queen-size. And because a Fischer-Panda 8 kW diesel generator is standard along with a 10,000 Btu cabin ­air-conditioning system, you’ll sleep in cool comfort.

Hungry? The console behind the helm seat conceals a Kenyon grill big enough to bang out steaks and fillets, the sink has hot water, and a refrigerator/freezer keeps things cold. In the cabin, a microwave is for fast coffee or Hungry Man dinners. And it’s all standard but for the refrigerator.

In fact, that’s one thing we particularly liked about the Pursuit DC 365: The standard list is long and the options list is short (mostly electronics). Everyone hates being nickel-and-dimed for stuff you want, from the bow thruster to the electric sunroof in the hardtop to the generator to the air conditioning. Pursuit understands that and simply includes an impressive list of standard equipment.

Beyond that, Pursuit has clearly brought its years of boatbuilding expertise to bear on this new addition to its five-boat dual-console line. And you’ll find that in the details that are so easily overlooked, yet which can become constant irritations when not done properly. Pursuit got it right.

Take that bow cockpit, for example. You want to be able to close it off when it’s wet or windy, yet many builders fail this simple task. On the DC 365, there is a hidden single-piece door plus a folding windshield panel to seal off the bow, but Pursuit went the extra mile to place a drain so water can’t run aft under the door into the cockpit. Take a look at the hatch gutters in the cockpit for the fish lockers and the generator compartment; they’re not only extra deep, but they link to oversize drain channels carrying the water overboard. Very thoughtful.

The anchor chute/roller piece is simply massive, with a horizontal anchor windlass with remote control, fresh- and saltwater washdown, and an anchor locker to handle both chain and eight-plait rode. Another anchor hides aft for bow-stern anchoring whether at the beach or at a favorite dive spot. You’ll find room for dive tanks in lockers under the seating, and the high bulwarks forward are safe for kids. There’s even a dedicated tube for an 8-foot gaff. Get queasy? The DC 365 is pre-rigged for a Seakeeper g­yrostabilizer with ­mounting in the generator compartment.

So, what’ll she do, as the car guys ask? With triple Yamaha 300s (standard), the DC 365 picks up her skirts and flies. We topped out at 51.3 mph, which is pleasantly quick, but here’s the best part: At 35 mph, you’re getting about 1 mile per gallon! No more having to drop back to slow speeds to conserve fuel — you can put the hammer down without feeling pains in your wallet.If you’re shopping, take a look at the Boston Whaler Realm 350 ($480,000) with triple Merc 300s and a different take on bowriders, with portside access and a single berth cabin.

With all the Pursuit offshore experience, it’s no surprise that this is one soft-riding hull. With 20 degrees of deadrise and two full-length strakes, the DC 365 eases softly through seas and throws spray well to the side. Construction is high-quality, with a hand-laminated vinylester hull and an infused structural grid system backed by the Pursuit Protection Plan: five-year hull/deck structural warranty and five-year blister-free warranty.

Easily transformed from sporty party boat to offshore wagon and back, the ­Pursuit DC 365 truly fulfills the concept of sport utility.

High Points

You’ll have a soft ride even in rough seas with the DC 365’s deep-V hull and solid construction.

Families will delight in the comfortable cabin with head, shower and two large berths.

Standard equipment list already includes most items that buyers want.

Low Points

We'd like to see a strap or strut support to support the entertainment center lid.