Pursuit C 260

There is something refreshing about stepping aboard a clean, well-built boat uncluttered with gadgets and gizmos. Pursuit hits the mark with the new C 260 center console, with its crisp, stylish appearance and quality finish.

The key benefits of any center console are 360-degree fishability and fish boxes, livewells and layouts that accommodate anglers. The C 260 has all the right tools for serious fishing, as well as some nice creature comforts for those all-important family days. I like how Pursuit carries the best features of previous models into new designs. The company worked hard several years back to develop great livewells that keep clean, oxygenated water in the wells by turning the water over quickly; eliminate obstructions that damage bait; and can be pressurized to transport bait safely. All of those features come integrated into the wells on the C 260.

I tested the C 260 in Stuart, Florida, on a March day with an east-southeast breeze on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, which is capable of getting quite a bit of fetch in that much wind and provided enough chop for me to get a feel for the boat. Pursuit has long had reputable hull designs that provide good efficiency and the comfortable, soft ride of a deep-V, and the C 260 is no exception. A single Yamaha F350 comes as standard power, but our test boat came rigged with twin 200 hp Yamaha four-strokes that provided plenty of power and speed (twin F150s are also available). I liked the 4,000 to 4,500 rpm range, which was comfortable and provided great tracking. The boat did not bang or slam yet got over 2 miles to the gallon, making between 35 and 40 mph, plenty of speed when loaded with gear and guests. It is a nimble boat, leaning into turns at speed, then handling nicely in close quarters around the dock.

The C 260 has a simple, clean layout with an easily accessible anchor locker on the forward deck that set up to carry all the ground tackle you could need. The bow area features matching forward seats on either side over lockers that are insulated and drain overboard. The hatch lids are fully molded and finished on both sides and have a gasketed seal. They can be used as fish boxes, storage bins or even coolers. An optional removable table stores in a rack inside the console. A sealed in-deck storage compartment on the centerline provides storage. The forward cockpit is surrounded by a recessed wraparound handrail, a vital feature on days when you must anchor or simply move fore and aft in rough water.

The nicely engineered console provides surprising room inside, with easy access through the large front entry door. An easy step inside reveals the easy-to-clean molded interior and standard manually operated Raritan head, or optional electric head. The Pursuit folks did a nice job inside the console by maximizing what they could without crowding it to where it is not usable. I found plenty of storage and a nice counter with a stainless sink.

The business side of the console comes gel-coated in Pursuit nonreflective gray and features an offset helm to port, with a standard compass molded into the top. A large dash houses the Yamaha engine gauges and has enough room for two 12-inch multifunction screens. On the helm dash, a rocker-switch panel puts all boat functions within easy reach. The centerline binnacle sits next to the helm with a molded-in drink holder all the way to starboard. A molded footrest under the helm makes driving more comfortable, and the entire helm and dash opens on a hinge that tilts aft to provide easy access to the backside of the dash, helm and switch panel.

Our C 260 came with the nicely styled optional molded fiberglass hardtop, featuring a molded radio box overhead, LED spreader and overhead lights, a track for curtains and four rod holders across the back. The well-executed hardtop should be a must-have option for the boat.

The standard molded-fiberglass leaning post features two seats with fold-down bolsters, handy when youre standing to run the boat. Tackle storage on either side of the leaning post will come in handy, and the leaning post also houses the boat batteries. On the backside of the leaning post, a fully molded 31-gallon recirculating livewell with a clear lid and locking latch will hold a lot of bait.

The cockpit of the C 260 offers a nice platform for your fishing, with under-gunwale rod and equipment storage on both sides, along with four flush-mounted stainless rod holders. A 30-gallon insulated fiberglass fish box in the transom holds the day catch, with a separate insulated drink box to starboard. Our test boat had an optional fold-out rear seat, offering a comfortable place to sit for the run out and back.

Well known for its quality and well-built boats, Pursuit has once again brought a finely styled, functional and well-executed boat to the market. The C 260 presents a predictable ride and great features for both fishing and just enjoying being out.
Specifications

Length: 2510
Beam: 89
Deadrise: 21 degrees
Fuel: 140 gals.
Water: 18.5 gals.
Max hp: 400
Weight: 5,500 lbs. (dry with F350)
Base price: $112,500 with a single 350 hp Yamaha outboard

Pursuit: 800-947-8778 / www.pursuitboats.com