Quick answer: Yes, Pursuit boats are generally considered good, well-built offshore boats. They come with a five-year structural warranty on the hull and deck and a five-year hull blister warranty. They cost more than many rivals and favor comfort over hardcore fishing features. Any used Pursuit should get a full marine survey before you buy.
Pursuit has a strong following among anglers in the Northeast who want to travel to and from the fishing grounds in comfort.
The brand is known for high-quality construction and strong customer service. The boats are also pricey.
Pursuit promises to build some of the best boats in the world. But are they worth the money? Can you count on a Pursuit to give you years of reliable boating? This guide covers build quality, warranty, the current lineup, common problems, and what to check before you buy.
Are Pursuit Boats Good Quality?
Yes. Pursuit Boats is a high-end powerboat brand. It is known for build quality, comfortable and practical layouts, and good customer service.
Today, Pursuit sells three lines: the Sport Center Console line, the Denali line (which replaced the older DC dual-console naming), and the Offshore line of cabin boats.
According to the Pursuit Boats website, the company now lists 17 models across those three groups. The largest is the Offshore OS 445, which dealers list at about 46.5 feet for the 2026 model year.
Who Owns Pursuit Boats?
Malibu Boats owns Pursuit. Malibu bought Pursuit from S2 Yachts for a total of $100 million and closed the deal in October 2018. The Slikkers family’s S2 Yachts kept the Tiara Yachts brand.
Pursuit was a solid business when it changed hands. In the 12 months ended June 30, 2018, Pursuit had about $124 million in net sales.
How Old Is the Pursuit Brand?
Pursuit has built boats for about five decades. S2 Yachts was founded in 1974, and it introduced the Pursuit series of fishing boats in 1977. The company is now marking 50 years of the Pursuit name.
That shared history is why Pursuit and Tiara are often mentioned together. Both came from S2 Yachts. Since 2018, they have been separate brands under different owners.
How Reliable Are Pursuit Boats?
Pursuit boats are built for offshore use, including fishing. But they are often seen as having more creature comforts than brands aimed at the hardcore angler.
Day-to-day reliability depends a lot on the outboards and how well they have been maintained. The wiring and hardware on Pursuit boats are generally regarded as good. On a used boat, always ask for engine service records.
Where another brand may give more room to live wells or fish-cleaning space, a Pursuit will often have longer, more comfortable seats or more gadgets.
Similarly, they are less concerned with top speed and more concerned with ride comfort. They are built for offshore use, but the focus is on relaxing once you get there rather than raw performance on the way.
How Durable Are Pursuit Boats?
Pursuit hulls are strengthened with a resin-infused fiberglass structural grid. This grid leaves a finished surface inside the bilge instead of bare, rough fiberglass.
Pursuit offers a five-year structural warranty on the hull and deck. See the warranty section below for what to confirm before you buy.
Pursuit still uses wood in parts of its construction, which some buyers dislike. The wood is sealed in layers of high-quality fiberglass, and hardware holes are tightly bedded. Even so, any leak at a fitting can let water reach that wood over time, so inspection matters on older boats.
The premium gel coat is backed by a five-year hull blister warranty, which shows the brand’s focus on quality. Pursuit’s durability is widely regarded as among the best in the industry.
The composite fiberglass stringer grid reinforces the hull and leaves the bilge smooth and finished rather than bare.
What Warranty Does Pursuit Offer, and Is It Transferable?
Pursuit’s two headline warranties are:
- Structural warranty: five years on the hull and deck.
- Hull blister warranty: five years on the gel coat.
Coverage for components, and whether any warranty moves to a second owner, depends on the written terms for that model year. Engines are usually covered by the engine maker’s own warranty, not the boat builder’s.
If you are buying a used Pursuit that may still be under warranty, follow these steps:
- Ask the seller for the original warranty paperwork and the first sale date.
- Give a Pursuit dealer the hull identification number (HIN) and ask what coverage remains.
- Ask whether a transfer is allowed, and if it needs a form, a fee, or an inspection.
- Ask the outboard dealer separately about any remaining engine warranty.
- Get all answers in writing before closing the sale.
What About Older Pursuit Boats?
Pursuit’s design, materials, building process and fit and finish are widely seen as industry-leading. As a premium brand, it has not been known for cutting corners.
One of the main worries in owner forums has been how the brand would change after Malibu’s takeover in 2018.
The biggest visible change since then has been the lineup. The dual-console DC models became the Denali line. The C 238 center console was dropped. The Sport Center Console line grew to seven models, and the Offshore line grew to four, topped by the OS 445. Owners of later models generally still describe the quality as excellent.
This long focus on quality helped make the company one of the best-regarded names on the market.
You can visit the Boat Trader website if you want to buy used Pursuit boats for a good price.
Do They Still Make Parts For Older Models?
Some parts for boats no longer in production are still made. However, the Pursuit website does not say how far back its replacement parts support goes.
Pursuit owners have a few options for parts that are no longer made.
The first is the Pursuit Boat Owners Forum, which is just for Pursuit owners. It’s an active, helpful community with many threads about specific replacement parts.
People who need parts are advised to contact a dealer through the Dealer Locator page.
Several online stores also sell replacement parts that fit many brands, including Pursuit. Greatlakesskipper.com, boatoutfitters.com, and boatseabass.com are among the most popular.
Pursuit also offers owner’s manuals going back many decades to help you identify older parts.
What Are Typical Problems With Pursuit Boats?
Over the years, owners have reported a few production issues with Pursuit boats.
The most serious was probably wood rot in some hulls from the late 1990s and early 2000s.
According to the few owners who reported it, some thru-hull fittings leaked through the fiberglass and let water reach the wood core.
Several owners in the late 2000s reported gasoline smells.
Owners linked this to fuel tanks that were partly plastic, and it appeared to be fixed by changing the venting.
Also in the late 2000s, some cuddy cabin models had leaks in the top liner. Faulty wiper motors were found to be the cause on some boats.
Like most builders, Pursuit has had safety recalls on some models. Before you buy any Pursuit, new or used, search the boat’s HIN or model in the U.S. Coast Guard’s boating recall database. Ask the seller for proof that any open recall work was done.
What Should You Check on a Used Pursuit Boat?
Hire an accredited marine surveyor for any used Pursuit. Use this checklist to guide your own first look and your talk with the surveyor:
- Wet core: Ask for a moisture meter test and tap test (sounding) on the deck, transom and around fittings. This matters most on late-1990s and early-2000s hulls.
- Thru-hulls: Check every fitting for cracked sealant, stains or soft spots around it. Leaks here caused the wood rot reports.
- Fuel system: Sniff the bilge and fuel compartment. Check tank vents, hoses and fill fittings. Late-2000s boats had fuel smell reports.
- Wiring: Look for corrosion, loose connections and amateur add-ons behind the helm and in the bilge.
- Cabin and liner: On cuddy and cabin models, look for water stains on the headliner. Test the wipers.
- Gel coat: Check for blisters, stress cracks and poor repair work.
- Engines: Get a compression test, a lower-unit check and full service records.
- Recalls: Search the USCG recall database for the HIN or model.
- Sea trial: Run the boat at cruise and wide-open throttle. Watch gauges and listen for odd noises.
How Long Do Pursuit Boats Last Compared To Similar Brands?
Pursuit builds its boats to last. Its customer service is widely regarded as among the best in the business when owners have problems, whether or not the issue is covered by warranty.
The boats are known for being very durable, which about five decades of production backs up. Pursuit boats from the 1990s and even the 1980s are still a common sight on the water, especially along the U.S. East Coast.
The main caveat, as always, is how well the owner cared for the boat. Any boat, no matter how well built, will wear out fast if maintenance and winterizing are skipped.
Is Pursuit Better Than Grady-White, Boston Whaler or Regulator?
It depends on how you use your boat. Pursuit, Grady-White, Boston Whaler, Regulator, Everglades and Tiara all sit in the premium part of the market. No brand is “best” for everyone. The right pick comes down to fishing features versus comfort, ride, dealer support and price.
Use this table to compare any two boats of the same size side by side:
| What to compare | Why it matters | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing features | Live wells, rod storage and cockpit space vary a lot by brand | How many rods and how much live well capacity? |
| Comfort and seating | Pursuit leans toward comfort and amenities | Where will guests sit while running? |
| Hull and ride | Ride in a chop matters more than top speed offshore | Can I sea trial it in rough water? |
| Warranty | Terms differ by builder and model year | Is it transferable, and for how long? |
| Dealer and service | A good local dealer often matters more than the badge | How far is the nearest service center? |
| Out-the-door price | Rigging, electronics and trailer add up | What is the total with engines and options? |
Who Is a Pursuit Boat Best For?
- Choose Pursuit if you split time between fishing, cruising and family days, and you value comfortable seating and a smooth ride.
- Choose Pursuit if you want a cabin boat for overnight trips. The Offshore line is built for that.
- Look at a dedicated fishing brand if most trips are serious offshore fishing and you want the most cockpit space and fishing gear for your money.
- Pick the brand with the better local dealer if two boats seem equal. Service access affects ownership more than small spec differences.
Do Pursuit Boats Hold Their Value?
Pursuit boats are generally considered to hold their value well. Strong brand recognition and a large owner base help resale, especially on the East Coast.
Resale value for any single boat depends on condition, engine hours, service records, and how popular that model is. Boats with clean surveys and documented maintenance sell faster and for more.
To estimate value, compare asking prices for the same model and year on listing sites like Boat Trader. Then check a marine pricing guide and ask a surveyor for a fair market value in the survey report.
How Much Does a New Pursuit Boat Cost?
Pursuit does not publish prices on its website. It sends buyers to local dealers for quotes. Price depends on the model, the engine package and the options you choose. Larger Offshore models cost much more than the smallest Sport and Denali boats.
To get a real number:
- Pick two or three models that fit your use and budget.
- Ask more than one dealer for a written, out-the-door quote.
- Make sure the quote lists engines, electronics, options, freight, prep, trailer and taxes.
- Compare against similar-size boats from rival brands using the same list.
What Does It Cost to Own a Pursuit?
Plan for these yearly costs on top of the purchase price:
- Insurance
- Slip, mooring or dry storage
- Winterizing and spring commissioning
- Engine service at the maker’s recommended intervals
- Bottom paint and hull care
- Fuel
- Registration and trailer upkeep, if you trailer
Bigger boats with twin or triple outboards cost more in every one of these areas. Get local quotes for insurance and storage before you commit.
Are Pursuit Boats Still Being Made?
Yes. Pursuit is still building boats under Malibu Boats ownership, and Malibu has reshaped the lineup since the 2018 purchase.
As a premium brand, Pursuit offers different levels of customization depending on the model. It does not publish pricing on its website. Instead, it refers buyers to local dealers.
Here is the current lineup listed on Pursuit’s website:
| Line | Models | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sport Center Console (7 models) | S 248, S 268, S 288, S 328, S 358, S 388, S 428 | Fishing and open-water day trips |
| Denali (6 models) | D 246, D 266, D 286, D 306, D 326, D 365 | Family cruising, watersports and casual fishing |
| Offshore (4 models) | OS 325, OS 355, OS 405, OS 445 | Offshore trips and overnight cruising with a cabin |
The Denali line replaced the DC dual-console naming. Dealers list 2026 DC 266 boats at about 27.3 feet. The OS 445 is the largest model at about 46.5 feet. The older C 238 center console is no longer listed.
Engine packages and maximum horsepower vary by model. Check the spec sheet for each boat or ask a dealer.
You can visit their Models page to have a look at all of their models with specific details.
Final Thoughts
Over about five decades of boat building and service, Pursuit has earned its reputation as a top-tier brand.
Since Malibu bought the company in 2018, the main changes have been to the lineup, not to the brand’s focus on quality. Pursuit still builds some of the most comfortable offshore boats available. If you want a boat that fishes well but also treats your family and guests well, Pursuit is worth a close look. Just budget for the premium price and get a full survey on any used boat.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pursuit Boats
Are Pursuit and Tiara the same company?
No. Pursuit and Tiara Yachts both came from S2 Yachts, which introduced the Pursuit series of fishing boats in 1977. Malibu Boats bought Pursuit in October 2018, and the Slikkers family’s S2 Yachts kept Tiara. Since then, the two have been separate brands under different owners.
Do Pursuit boats use wood in their construction?
Yes. Pursuit still uses wood in parts of its construction. The wood is sealed in layers of fiberglass, and hardware holes are tightly bedded. The hulls also use a resin-infused fiberglass stringer grid. A leak at any fitting can let water reach the wood over time, so older boats need a moisture check.
Are Pursuit boats good for fishing?
Yes, but they lean toward comfort. Pursuit boats are built for offshore use, including fishing. They often trade some live well and fish-cleaning space for longer seats and more amenities. If most of your trips are serious offshore fishing, compare a dedicated fishing brand for more cockpit space and fishing gear.
How do I check if a Pursuit boat has a recall?
Search the boat’s hull identification number (HIN) or model in the U.S. Coast Guard’s boating recall database. Like most builders, Pursuit has had safety recalls on some models. Before you buy a new or used Pursuit, ask the seller for proof that any open recall work was completed.
Does Pursuit’s warranty cover the engines?
Usually not. Engines are typically covered by the engine maker’s own warranty, not by Pursuit. Pursuit’s headline coverage is a five-year structural warranty on the hull and deck and a five-year hull blister warranty. On a used boat, ask the outboard dealer separately about any remaining engine warranty.
