Pursuit OS 445: Pursuit Boats’ New Offshore Flagship

Pursuit Boats has entered the yacht market with its new flagship, the OS 445, revealed to dealers and the media in Tampa, Florida. Known for building smaller center-console and dual-console fishing boats, the Florida-based company stretched into larger territory with this roomy express-style cruiser. Measuring 46’6” with platform and boasting a 13’10” beam, the OS 445 is built to support short cruises, extended weekends and even summer-long voyages.

The OS 445 is the largest model in Pursuit’s Offshore series, joining the OS 325, OS 355 and the popular OS 385. Many OS 385 owners have been searching for a natural step up, and Pursuit president Bruce Thompson said interest was strong even before the first hulls were completed. “We’ve pre-sold quite a few of these boats. There was enough interest in it that people were willing to wait in line,” Thompson said, underscoring demand for a larger offshore cruiser from the brand’s existing customer base.

What separates the OS 445 from its smaller Offshore siblings is the fully enclosed bridgedeck. Owners in colder climates can close the aft window-and-glass-door combination to keep out chill, extending the boating season into spring and fall. On hot days the bridgedeck seals up for air-conditioned comfort thanks to the standard 16,000-Btu reverse-cycle air-conditioning system and a 12-kW Fischer Panda diesel generator.

When weather permits, the hinged aft window tucks under the hardtop overhang and the door opens to connect cockpit and salon, creating a spacious entertaining area. The wide beam and thoughtful layout allow the OS 445 to seat nine comfortably, as demonstrated during a recent sea trial in Tampa Bay.

Chris Gratz, Pursuit’s vice president of engineering, described the OS 445’s development as an intensive process that began with concepts and scaled models before a full-scale mockup. “The entire house was a very big development process,” he said. “The goal was to fully enclose the bridgedeck, but at the same time, we wanted to be able to open it up.” The result is a flexible, yacht-like living area that still functions for serious offshore use.

The galley is located up in the aft portion of the house to serve both cockpit diners and the raised dinette inside. It includes a sink, drawer-style refrigerator and freezer, microwave and a two-burner glass induction cooktop. Additional refrigeration is integrated into the dinette base, and a cockpit grill provides outdoor cooking capability. A large smart-screen TV is concealed in the headliner opposite the dinette and reveals itself at the touch of a button—another detail that positions the OS 445 as a true yacht-style cruiser.

Large windows and a single-piece glass windshield provide nearly 360-degree sightlines from the helm and salon. The massive one-piece windshield required careful engineering of the glazing and fiberglass supports to meet structural and aesthetic goals, Gratz explained.

On the water, the OS 445 delivers a refined driving experience, particularly with the bridgedeck closed for quiet, climate-controlled cruising. The helm features a raised electric Stidd seat with multi-position footrest and a glass-cockpit-style dash sized for twin 22-inch multifunction displays. The standard electronics package includes twin Garmin GPSMAP 8622 chartplotters.

Pursuit equips the OS 445 exclusively with a triple Yamaha F425 outboard package tied into Yamaha’s Helm Master EX digital control system with joystick. Acceleration is immediate and effortless: lightly advancing the throttles produced a cruise around 26 knots at 4,000 rpm with recorded fuel burn of 47.1 gph and a calculated range of 349 nautical miles with a 10 percent reserve. Top speed for the test boat reached 42.8 knots—impressive for a 13’10” beam yacht-style cruiser. Handling felt solid and composed, with confident steering and tight turns at cruising speeds.

To enhance onboard comfort in rougher conditions, the OS 445 comes standard with a Seakeeper 6 gyro stabilizer and a Zipwake Dynamic Control system that automatically manages pitch and roll underway—important features for anglers and cruisers who want stability offshore.

Accommodations belowdecks include two staterooms with large hull windows and thoughtful finishes that mix textured wallcoverings with book-matched wood veneers. The forward primary cabin offers a walkaround island queen berth, while the mid-cabin provides generous 6’10” headroom in its entry. The shared head is roomy and includes a second door into the primary cabin. For additional sleeping flexibility, an adjustable table option converts the bridgedeck dinette into a third berth.

Despite the yacht-oriented interior, the OS 445 remains a competent fishing platform. The aft seat folds into the transom to clear the cockpit for fighting fish. Standard fishing features include abundant rod holders, a 50-gallon lighted livewell, dedicated tackle storage and three large fishboxes—including a 75-gallon box with fridge/freezer controls for catch preservation. Optional outriggers were fitted on the test boat for serious offshore anglers.

The OS 445 also supports diverse watersports: a dive door on the port side and a starboard gunwale that folds out to expand the swim platform provide easy water access for diving, swimming and boarding tenders. “I think our customer appreciates being able to do the whole range of activities, including fishing, diving and extended cruising,” Gratz said.

LOA (w/platform): 46’6”
Beam: 13’10”
Draft (motors up): 2’6”
Weight (approx.): 28,375 lbs.
Power: (3) 425-hp Yamaha F425s
Fuel: 600 gals.
Water: 100 gals.
Base Price: $1.43 million

This article was originally published in the November 2022 issue.