On any warm summer weekend you’ll find groups of boaters beached, rafted up or anchored at favorite sandbars. From Tice’s Shoals in New Jersey’s Barnegat Bay to Peanut Island in Florida’s Palm Beaches, these impromptu gatherings have become a distinct subculture within the boating community. Almost any boat can join the scene, but some are better suited for sandbar life—among them Pursuit’s DC 306.
“We call it a sport utility boat because it was designed to do pretty much anything a family could want in a vessel of this size, and it has plenty of features that make it a standout for group outings,” says Mark Taiclet, Pursuit brand manager. The DC 306 blends comfortable social spaces, practical storage and performance features that make it ideal for days anchored off a sandbar or running coastal waters.
Built on a deep-V hull and powered by twin Yamaha F300 outboards controlled through Helm Master EX, the DC 306 delivers confident handling and easy maneuvering. The integrated fiberglass hardtop, tempered-glass windshield and side windows provide a dry, wind-protected helm area and contribute to the boat’s clean, sporty profile.
Features that make the DC 306 sandbar-friendly begin up front. Anchoring is often a better choice than beaching, so the boat includes a standard windlass with a wired remote. This push-button system makes anchoring simple, safe and approachable for everyone on board.
When the fun moves into the water, reboarding is effortless. The boat offers a stainless-steel telescoping ladder that can mount at the hullside cockpit door or in the bow anchor locker; it stows neatly in a rack in the mechanical area when not in use. A separate retractable boarding ladder at the swim platform is perfect for watersports, and an optional pop-up pylon converts the DC 306 into a tow platform for tubing, wakeboarding and water skiing.
The DC 306 emphasizes social zones both forward and aft. Bow seating is accessed through a centerline hatch and a swing-open windshield section. Pleated vinyl lounges with fold-down armrests to port and starboard and an aft-facing center seat surround the space, which includes coaming pads, recessed grabrails, drink holders, USB charging ports and stereo speakers. One of two insulated drink boxes hides under the center seat cushion. An optional fiberglass table with a drop-in cushion can convert the bow into a large sun pad.
The cockpit accommodates groups comfortably with aft-facing mezzanine seating for two, a standard fold-down transom bench and an optional fold-down seat to port opposite the hullside door. With the table installed the cockpit becomes an entertaining area; remove it and the space is ideal for sunbathing. For shade, Pursuit offers Mediterranean-style sunshades that mount fore and aft of the hardtop—useful on bright days at the sandbar.
The helm is laid out for efficient operation and social engagement, featuring twin 12-inch Garmin multifunction displays, Yamaha gauges and controls, VHF radio and stereo. The adjustable captain’s chair swivels 90 degrees so the skipper can turn and chat with guests in the cockpit.
Practical details matter on a long day afloat. The head compartment forward of the helm uses a patented entry system: when the door opens the top panel slides back to increase headroom and accessibility. Behind the helm on the starboard side a freshwater sink with Corian countertop sits over a cabinet with storage and a trash receptacle. An optional 12-volt refrigerator opposite the sink keeps food and drinks cold, and both fresh- and saltwater washdowns are placed for quick rinses after a swim.
Storage on the DC 306 is generous and thoughtfully arranged for family outings and fishing trips. Large dry compartments in the bow and cockpit hold gear, and a remarkable storage area forward of the companion helm chair reveals itself when the face of the console swings open. That spacious locker offers dedicated racks for tables, up to eight fishing rods and room for wakeboards, skis and other large items.
Pursuit’s fishing heritage shows in the DC 306’s angling features: two fish boxes, a transom livewell, rod holders in the gunwales, transom and hardtop, a rocket launcher and included outriggers. Yet the boat is equally comfortable as a family dayboat or a sport utility vessel for mixed-use boating.
Outboard-powered boats like the DC 306 often dominate sandbar scenes for practical reasons: shallower draft and the ability to raise engines out of the water. With engines trimmed up, the DC 306’s draft is just 2’2”. Twin 300-hp Yamahas give the boat a cruising speed of 28.5 mph at 3500 rpm, consuming about 17.4 gph for a calculated range of roughly 346 miles; top speed is approximately 52.3 mph.
If spending weekends anchored at your favorite sandbar appeals to you, the Pursuit DC 306 is worth a close look. It combines a versatile layout, solid storage, fishing amenities and dependable outboard performance into a modern sport utility boat suited to family outings, watersports and group gatherings.
Pursuit DC 306
LOA: 31’11” Beam: 9’11” Draft (motors up): 2’2” Weight: 10,563 lbs. Fuel: 224 gals. Water: 36 gals. Power: (2) 300-hp Yamahas
This article was originally published in the June 2024 issue.