PURSUIT BOATS

Pursuit Boats' new Xover features upgraded upholstery throughout.

When released last year, the Noosa-based Pursuit Boats' 550F caused quite a stir. As a first release model from a new builder, it was — and still is — an outstanding effort. This is even in the exalted company of the several highly respected boat marques who have raised 5 1/2 m fishing/family day boats to an art form.

From these beginnings, Pursuit has come a long way in a short year. Brisbane and the Gold Coast's Northside Marine and Noosa's Laguna Boating Centre are now selling Pursuits, and the factory is flat out keeping up with orders.

Pursuit Boats' new Xover upgraded upholstery will no doubt appeal to fishos looking for a boat with something more than a bare bones fit out.

Take a bow you lot; apparently you know a great boat when you see one. And now there are 3 outlets selling Pursuits it's much easier to actually see one for yourself than it was 12 months ago. It should be noted that these are highly reputable dealers and their support certainly further strengthens confidence in a new brand name.

Having major retail outlets on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts has also resulted in a variant of the original 550F called the Crossover (spelt Xover). This comes as a luxury package optioned for the upmarket north and south coast lifestyle.

Included in the Xover are a powder coated wake board tower; full cabin and interior lining and carpet; a bunk infil converting the bunk to a proper bed; a hard vinyl privacy curtain on the cabin bulkhead; a bimini top complete with front clears and rear storm cover; matched upholstery on side coamings, bunk, and aft folding lounge; a portable toilet; and most important for fishing — a larger 160 l fuel tank and a transom work station. Also included is an up-rated tandem axle trailer with a spare wheel.

This particular Pursuit with the Xover package added went like hell with a 140 Mercury Saltwater Series for power.

Admittedly, wake boarding towers are of minimal interest for fishing, although it does incorporate 4 rod holders, not to mention making the boat look really cool. The tower can be swapped for a stainless rocket launcher if you like, and while it may not appeal to everyone, the rest of the Xover package includes items that many people option onto their boats anyway. This is particularly the case with couples that use their boat for socialising as much as fishing.

For the hard-core fisho, the standard 550F remains the neat and functional 5 1/2 m cuddy we saw for the first time last year. It's worth noting too, that it was so well put together when released that the usual changes that come along as a new boat goes into production have been few indeed.

The Xover's wake board tower has four rod holders incorporated.

The Pursuit 550F has a conventional deep V hull without pods or extensions on its transom, and a cabin to cockpit ratio with a fishing bias towards cockpit room. It's a pretty looking boat with spot on ergonomics. "Spot on" is a rarely used expression in offshore capable boats. Most of them ill-treat your body in one way or another — but not this one.

High toes-in-under leg support is provided around the cockpit periphery, and there's a well thought out split folding lounge across the transom. In a basic 550F, the rest of the features of the Xover package go on the options list, allowing people to pick and choose when setting up a boat to suit their own particular fishing — and boating — style.