Sport utility vehicles may have lost some luster with American drivers, but the production of multifunctional boats seems to be on the rise. Case in point: the new 2011 Pursuit ST 310.
“It’s a good crossover model between a true center console and more of a cruising vessel,” Pursuit Boats marketing manager David Glenn says. “The boat is really well thought out from top to bottom. You can scuba-dive, use water toys, fish, take dinner cruises.” The boat also was designed to serve as a tender for motoryachts and convertibles, he says.
Perhaps the most noticeable differences between the ST 310 and a more traditional center console are the ample cushioned seating and the console’s extension to the starboard gunwale, allowing for a two-person companion settee. The console houses a stand-up head compartment (manual marine head, macerator and holding tank), and the nicely finished forward console door, which opens on an oversized stainless hinge and a gas lift, illustrates Pursuit’s workmanship and fit and finish.
Removing a storage tub beneath the stern seat gives access to the lazarette. The bilge pumps, batteries and standard battery charger are within easy reach. The dark-colored dash — a distinctive trait for Pursuit and its sister company, Tiara Yachts — reduces windshield glare.
Noteworthy items on the ST 310’s standard equipment list are a windlass, fiberglass hardtop, fresh- and saltwater systems, a slide-out refrigerator, trim tabs with indicator, and a forward fiberglass table with a Corian insert that receives a sunpad filler cushion. Standard fishing amenities include a 20-gallon live well, four flush-mounted stainless gunwale rod holders in the cockpit, folding rod racks under the bow seats and an in-deck fishbox.
The builder hand-lays the solid fiberglass bottom and uses balsa core for the hull sides above the waterline. The stringer system, transom, hardtop, and hatches and deck parts are resin-infused.
Cruising at 29.6 mph, the Pursuit gets 1.7 mpg with twin Yamaha F300s. At this throttle setting (3,500 rpm) she has a range of 400 miles, using 90 percent of the 260-gallon fuel supply. She sells for $231,255 with the F300s Contact: Pursuit Boats, Fort Pierce, Fla., (772) 465-6006. www.pursuitboats.com
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 31 feet, 2 inches
BEAM: 9 feet, 6 inches
DRAFT: 2 feet, 10 inches (engines down)
DISPLACEMENT: 8,890 pounds
HULL TYPE: deep-vee
ENGINES: twin Yamaha F250s or F300s
SPEED: 54.8 mph top, 29.6 mph cruise (3,500 rpm)
TRANSOM DEADRISE: 24 degrees
TANKAGE: 260 gallons fuel, 20 gallons water, 20 gallons waste
This article originally appeared in the September 2011 issue.
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