Story and select photos by DinaRella / Additional photos courtesy of Pursuit
No matter if the aquatic agenda entails pre-sunrise casting, afternoon relaxation-mode motoring along or a bit of both, given its imaginative design format and muscular on-water posture during get up and go time – the Pursuit S 428 Sport acts and feels as if, it’s from another world.
In reality, the brand’s DNA traces back to South Florida… more specifically, its 400,000-square-foot headquarters in Fort Pierce which for the last three decades has served as the nautical nerve center behind its offshore, center console, dual console and sport watercraft product lines.
Starting at $990,000, the powerhouse Pursuit S 428 has clearly achieved legendary status, anchoring hearts and souls of seafarers since its initiation, and continuing to do with its unrelenting demand as evidenced by the scores of potential buyers waiting on the docks for their tours. Other high points include “literally” flanking the main entrance gate of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show atop the Neptune Boat Lift, and four months later taking home the Innovation Award from the2022 Miami International Boat Show.
Popping off shoes and hopping on performance boats all day long, distinguishing one from the next can be cumbersome by the week's end – you reach a point where they all appear alike. Pursuit made sure this was not the case with its S 428! From the moment I boarded the visionary for a tour with director of marketing Amy Gobel and marketing manager Megan Morris, fantastically executed features, both forward-thinking and functional, revealed themselves all around.
No matter if the aquatic agenda entails pre-sunrise casting, afternoon relaxation-mode motoring along or a bit of both, given its imaginative design format and muscular on-water posture during get up and go time – the Pursuit S 428 Sport acts and feels as if, it’s from another world. In reality, the brand’s DNA traces back to South Florida… more specifically, its 400,000-square-foot headquarters in Fort Pierce which for the last three decades has served as the nautical nerve center behind its offshore, center console, dual console and sport watercraft product lines.
Starting at $990,000, the powerhouse Pursuit S 428 has clearly achieved legendary status, anchoring hearts and souls of seafarers since its initiation, and continuing to do with its unrelenting demand as evidenced by the scores of potential buyers waiting on the docks for their tours. Other high points include “literally” flanking the main entrance gate of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show atop the Neptune Boat Lift, and four months later taking home the Innovation Award from the2022 Miami International Boat Show.
Popping off shoes and hopping on performance boats all day long, distinguishing one from the next can be cumbersome by the week's end – you reach a point where they all appear alike. Pursuit made sure this was not the case with its S 428! From the moment I boarded the visionary for a tour with director of marketing Amy Gobel and marketing manager Megan Morris, fantastically executed features, both forward-thinking and functional, revealed themselves all around.
Easily convertible from a gracious and inviting social zone to a spacious fish-fighting zone, the engineering versatility gives the mezzanine much magical appeal. We start with dual boarding options. On the starboard, a hydraulically operated side beach platform opens up extending aft entertainment to the water line, whether the motive is to dip sun-drenched toes into crystal clear seas or facilitate fetching up that trophy catch. Whereas to port, there’s a folding door which slots back into the transom for increased rod storage further forward on the gunwale.
Next, stretch out on the middle retractable transom bench. It really should be called a sofa because yes it's that thick and comfy. Besides its patented design, cushions are specially angled in an upward position and the backrest folds out for additional support. When seated, grab rails on each side add another layer of safety.
In saving the "best of the back" for last, the reverse option (as I call it) mezzanine is an extraordinary industry-first. You can go from entertaining to angling in a matter of seconds. With the press of a button, the entire seat assembly slides forward on rails freeing up the whole aft cockpit area for hardcore fishing action. The cleverly convertible second row seating unit also folds down and can be used for multiple purposes.
Under the cockpit, design cues continue evincing oohs and aahs beginning with the powder-coated main support structure which provides safe passage to the optional upper station via two large tempered glass hatches; secondly, as to not restrict or reduce space along the side passageways, wide inward-set steps with integrated hand rails were specially fabricated into the design.
Other necessities housed in the hardtop include the electrically-extended sunshade and recessed JL Marine Audio speakers, of which, the latter lets you pre-program and control what’s played in the middle helm, forward and stern spots. Cranking up the front and second row air-co vents and switching on the optional-install Seakeeper 6 will allow guests to appreciate the acoustics in a cooler and calmer fashion.
Ergonomic elements extending up and down the helm make life all the more maneuverable. The triple front-row captain chairs were designed with bolsters for sitting or standing, one-of-a-kind vertical positioning, and movable individual armrests and footrests. What’s more, another large footrest folds down to give the pilot and his shotgun companions that extra height to see out the optically clear laminated windshield. Accessibility to reach anything you need is also a cinch – the dash visor has a built-in glove box, an over-sized hatch in the middle of the floor leads to the mechanical systems, and a hydraulic lift drops forward for when maintenance is required behind the twin 22-inch Garmin monitors.
Electronic steering and digital throttle and shift, plus Helm Master EX with full joy stick control including an integrated autopilot control the foursome of Yamaha 425 XTO outboards, boasting the biggest displacement (5.6 liters) production blocks on a transom. Expect the S 428 to comfortably cruise near 37 mph at 4000 rpm, and to clock 59.3 mph when throttles are pushed to their max.
Passing down the steps through the classy yacht style translucent sliding door from the port side of the cockpit, the magnificently appointed cabin finished in dark cocoa-colored wood tones takes your breath away. Abundant headroom, natural light and storage for additional rods are welcoming features as is the microwave and modern vanity with private head and full stand-up shower. However, the center console’s claim to fame comes from the revolutionary long side windows purposely produced to align with the state-of-the-art gunwale cutouts incorporated into the hull sides which allow you to "see the sea" all the way through.
Forging forward, the S 428 continues to innovate. A cut-through in the bow seating delivers you to the anchor locker with ease, or allows an opportune position for fishing over the coaming as you please. Electronic-hinged high back rests release outward to enhance the comfort of the wraparound seating, which when lifted, reveals insulated compartments to stash cold beverages or additional goods and gear.
A second storage partition was placed under the dual forward lounger which feels as fabulous and inviting as a Lazyboy thanks to its sculptured shaping. Adjust and incline the mid-level cushions (the upper ones are movable too) for additional seating on the same plane as the double bow tables for a relaxing luncheon or sunset happy hour chill-out session.
Fishermen will put to good use two 36-gallon acrylic-topped, LED-illuminated transom livewells and a trio of fish boxes totaling 66 gallons coil-wrapped (rather than with plates) to allow for optimal cooling and a snappier clean-up process. Tackle storage is included on the port and starboard sides and the mezzanine doubles as a bait prep station or outdoor galley with a refrigerator/freezer, deep sink with fold-in faucet, electric grill and outlets.
And speaking of outlets, Pursuit has outdone itself with the S 428, having created an offshore outlet for all your boating endeavors.
