Boat Test: 2023 Pursuit OS 445

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Overview

For those anglers who believe offshore fishing should be a Hemingway-esque struggle between man and the wind, waves and sun, Pursuit’s Offshore 445 is probably not your cup of Earl Grey. While this vessel takes its fishing duties seriously, what it does best is elevate each activity—including cruising and entertaining—to a new level of luxury and comfort.

In fact, it’s hard not to view this 46-plus-foot flagship as anything but a yacht, as evidenced by its abundance of amenities. The OS 445’s bridge deck might give pause for some who prefer the open air, but this space is anything but claustrophobic. Instead, it’s an airy enclosure with a panoramic view, thanks to the 9-foot-wide-by-5-foot-high two-ply windshield—nearly an inch thick—and tall side windows that open. In addition, dual overhead sunroof vents fill the cabin with fresh air when cracked. But the real Pursuit magic for letting the outside in is its aft glass door and adjacent flip-up picture window. With air conditioning or reverse-cycle heat powered by its standard Fischer Panda 12 kW diesel generator, you can perfectly control the environment.

On the bridge deck, one is remarkably isolated from outside noise, which can add to fatigue on long hauls. During our sea trial in Tampa, I measured the sound levels with the aft barriers closed and open, and the difference at cruise speed was significant. At 27 mph, with all the windows, vents and the rear door open, the needle on the decibel meter reached 84 dB(A), which is about as loud as a noisy restaurant. With everything battened up, it read just 72 dB(A), more than twice as quiet.

Engines

At the helm, the driver sits on a wide-body Stidd helm seat that has electrically actuated up-down and fore-aft adjustability. The companion seat is also fully adjustable and has a flippable backrest. The Pursuit OS 445 is an easy boat to drive thanks to standard assists, like Yamaha’s Helm Master joystick control and bow thruster. Instead of traditional trim tabs, Zipwake interceptors keep things level. With no assist, bow rise was minimal, and no loss of horizon occurred as the Pursuit got on plane in 6 seconds. While it took 14.1 seconds for the speed to climb to 30 mph, it reached 20 mph in just 6.7 seconds. This vessel (I still can’t call it a boat) comes with triple Yamaha XTO Offshore 425 hp V-8s, the only engine package offered. Fully loaded, it reached a top speed of 48.1 mph.

Interior and Accessories

The OS 445’s fishing credentials are legit, with features like the spacious cockpit, which gives anglers unfettered room to move about. At the transom workstation, there’s a 50-gallon lighted, recirculating livewell, and next door is a 75-gallon fish box that has a refrigerator-freezer function with an adjustable thermostat to reduce the amount of ice needed to keep the catch fresh. It also serves as a handy place for beverages when entertaining. Two more in-floor fish boxes hold 82 gallons each. Tackle storage at the transom and port coaming is designed to keep often-needed gear handy. At the helm, twin 22-inch Garmin 8622 fish finders/chart plotters come standard, along with a dedicated location for the Airmar B175M 1 kW transducer. An additional Garmin GPSMap 8616 can be added for viewing from the bridge’s companion seat for $13,565.

A 600-gallon fuel tank gives this Pursuit an optimal range of 332 miles. There’s a queen-size island bed in the master, and the starboard stateroom offers more headroom than most. Adding the optional electronically adjustable-height cockpit table ($21,200) creates sleeping accommodations for a third couple. Go for a long weekend, leave in the afternoon instead of at 0400 to be at the fishing grounds at dawn, fish the sunset bite, or spend the night offshore and wake refreshed at the fishing grounds just as things start to heat up. 

For entertaining and recreation, its standard yachtlike accoutrements add some wow factor, like its killer JL Audio stereo system and a electrically lowerable starboard-side boarding platform that also adds cockpit space and functions as a watersports staging area. The foredeck cabana area has a huge chaise-style lounge with adjustable backrests for sunning, and there’s a recessed bow bench with a tall seatback for comfort and safety. 

Probably the closest competition for the Pursuit OS 445 in the luxury outboard-powered cruising/fishing/entertainment niche is Boston Whaler’s 405 Conquest, which can be powered with up to triple Mercury Verado 600 hp V-12 engines, giving it an edge in performance. 

The standard equipment list includes features like a Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer. The bridge deck has a galley with twin refrigerator-freezer drawers, a microwave, a wine rack and plenty of prep space.

Not counting paint choices, there are only 14 other potential options to select. Serious anglers will likely choose carbon-fiber outriggers ($12,080) and hardtop-mounted rod holders ($3,465), though the latter should include a footstool to help reach the rods located there. Another worthy option is the retractable cockpit sunshade ($20,030).

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple Yamaha XTO Offshore V-8 425 hp
• Drive/Props: Outboard/16 ⁵/₈” x 19″ Yamaha XTO
• Fuel Load: 600 gal. Crew Weight: 1,050 lb.

High Points

• Step down to the roomy lazarette makes it easy to access plumbing and batteries.
• Stern bench’s high backrest offers extra support. 
• Interior woodwork creates a yachtlike ambience.  

Low Points

• Hardtop rod holders are too high to reach easily without stepping on the gunwales. 
• Toe rails would help stabilize anglers during a fight.  

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Pursuit Boats – Fort Pierce, Florida; 772-465-6006; pursuitboats.com

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