FISHO yesterday attended the official Australian launch of the Pursuit boat range.
Newly imported to the country by Sydney distributor, Graaf Marine, the US manufactured fibreglass Pursuit range originate from Port Pierce in Florida; its line-up encompasses a number of high-end sportfishing boats from 20′ (6.1m) in length upwards, in centre console and cabin configurations.
The boat highlighted at yesterday’s launch was the Pursuit C 280, the first example of the brand to land on our shores. The boat we jumped aboard had already been sold to a Sydney buyer before touching water Down Under.
A centre console design, the C 280 has all the bells and whistles we’ve come to expect from some prestige US boat manufacturers. As the model number designates, it’s a serious fishing rig at 28 feet (8.53m) in length. It’s also an impressive craft to behold, with aggressive stylish lines to match a bling factor that’s dialled up to 11. While clearly a boat that will appeal to the eye, the C 280 is also a hard core fishing machine that should have no limits in terms of covering fishing options.
The example we saw came fully decked out, with highlights including a hardtop sporting clears, optional outriggers, a roomy helm station to rival the best, fully adjustable bolster-style seating and a cavernous below deck head compartment under the console. Twin bait tanks are on offer as is an ice box, large kill tanks and transom bait prep station. The bow section features an innovative hinged mid section to allow easy access below deck. Overall, the boat’s underfloor storage is impressive as is rod storage accomodation, the latter via the hardtop rocket launcher, along the gunwales (four flush-mounts) and side decks.
A healthy amount of freeboard is on offer for offshore fishing and typical of a premium American craft, the quality of fittings and overall finish are first class.
Sporting twin 225hp Honda four-stroke outboards the C 280 wasn’t short on performance as we discovered on a messy windswept Sydney Harbour. Out toward the headlands the boat was put through its paces for the benefit of the cameras of those assembled.
The boat delivered an impressive, mostly dry, ride, depending on which side of the deck occupants stood to avoid the brunt of the 20 knots plus sou-wester. Once all the “serious” stuff like photos and testing was out of the way, the six of us on board tested out the C 280’s fishability. While the harbour’s fish didn’t appreciate our efforts, the boat proved to be a roomy stable platform to fish from.
If you fancy seeing yourself skippering a new C 280 it’ll cost you around $200k, withstanding the Aussie dollar’s current standing on the world money market.
Stay tuned for a review on the C 280 in a future edition of Fishing World magazine.
For more information on the Pursuit Boats range contact (02) 9968 1800 or go to: www.graafmarine.com.au/pursuit
