Fort Pierce, Florida, is classic center-console territory. The town’s inlet offers easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream, where anglers chase sailfish, dolphin, snapper, grouper, tuna and other popular table fish. The inlet’s sandbars attract weekend boaters, and the historic downtown fronts the Intracoastal Waterway, a convenient route for boaters making day trips north to Vero Beach or south to Stuart and Jupiter.
Given that maritime culture, it’s fitting that Pursuit Boats — one of the best-known American builders of center- and dual-console sportfishing boats — is based here. On a humid October day at Fort Pierce City Marina, I attended the media launch for Pursuit’s newest model, the S 358 Sport.
At first glance the S 358 stands out among center consoles: a broad beam, an extended hardtop and twin Yamaha 425 XTO outboards delivering a combined 850 hp give the boat a muscular presence. The S 358 is Pursuit’s first 35-foot center console and sits in the middle of the builder’s Sport center-console lineup, which stretches from 26 to 42 feet. Pursuit’s vice president of engineering, Christopher Gratz, identified 35 feet as a “sweet spot” where offshore capability and onboard comfort align.
During the briefing I found myself questioning the strict definition of “center console.” Traditionally that term implied an open cockpit, a narrow helm and a compact console with side access to a small head. The S 358, however, blends fishing functionality with substantial creature comforts: bow and aft social areas, an on-deck galley and a full cabin within the console accessed from the helm. The cabin accommodates a couple for an overnight, and Pursuit says the S 358 is the only boat in its size class to offer a separate, enclosed head.
Over a two-year design process, Pursuit surveyed owners and consulted its Dealer Design Council. The takeaway was clear: buyers of larger center consoles want uncompromised offshore fishing capability that also supports socializing, cruising, sandbar gatherings and watersports. The S 358 was created with that versatility in mind — “uncompromised functionality in different use scenarios,” as Gratz put it.
On a sea trial in the Intracoastal Waterway off Fort Pierce, the S 358 demonstrated how much thoughtful design Pursuit squeezed into a 35-footer. The transom features integrated platforms on either side of the engines that extend back to the propeller tips. These platforms support watersports almost as well as a traditional swim platform, and there’s a side dive door plus a removable dive ladder stored in the aft machinery hatch. That machinery space is well laid out: fuel filters and other systems are labeled for easy access, and removable components each have dedicated stowage, including space for the aft anchor.
The deck layout emphasizes social zones. Both bow and cockpit offer face-to-face seating with removable tables, creating comfortable areas for guests. The on-deck “summer kitchen” behind the helm includes a refrigerator, sink and grill so refreshments are always within reach. To keep the boat fishing-friendly, cockpit seats fold up and out of the way. Rear-facing seats use a 60/40 split so the galley remains accessible while preserving seating flexibility.
The cabin deserves special mention for its size and smart arrangement. Headroom reaches 79 inches, and the starboard sofa, which faces a flat-screen TV, can be converted into a double berth by removing the backrest and using it as a fill cushion. Only the lower legs of a sleeper are under a low overhang; the upper body remains unobstructed. The enclosed head, configured as a wet head, includes a substantial sink and enough room to move comfortably. Both the head and the cabin have opening portholes for ventilation.
Pursuit engineered the cabin with an aft-facing companionway door rather than the typical side entry, opening up space for a larger helm to starboard. The helm features two 16-inch flush-mounted Garmin multifunction displays and a Yamaha Helm Master joystick. Pursuit ships a single, factory-selected electronics package in partnership with Garmin and offers only one power option for this model: the twin Yamaha 425 XTO engines that produce 850 hp total. The result is a tightly integrated, turnkey system installed at the factory.
Handling the S 358 is engaging and refined. The helm has three large seats with independent armrests; the center seat is electrically adjustable. A sunroof in the hardtop opens for airflow and easier access to antennas. When we opened the throttles the S 358 climbed onto plane quickly with very little bow rise. Cruising southbound on the ICW at about 4,200 rpm, we settled at roughly 29 knots while averaging about 1 mpg. Top-end speed during the trial exceeded 43 knots.
Even on calm water the S 358 felt composed; Pursuit engineered a custom cradle for an optional Seakeeper II gyro stabilizer into the boat’s structural grid so owners who want additional roll reduction can have it integrated from the factory. That attention to comfort extends to many other standard and optional systems on board.
The S 358’s equipment list is broad, covering fishing features, overnight amenities, entertainment systems and lighting, and many items come standard. The base price with engines sits at $528,760, though the boat delivers a level of fit, finish and functionality that feels well above its price point.
Specifications
LOA: 37’4”
Beam: 11’4”
Draft (engines up): 2’5”
Displ. (w/engines): 16,600 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 343 gals.
Power: (2) Yamaha 425 XTOs
Price (w/power): $528,760
This article was originally published in the December 2021 issue.