2023 Pursuit S 248 Sport

Boat Reviews

Boat Review by: Richard Crowder

The all-new S 248 Sport is the smallest of seven sport center console models in Pursuit’s lineup for 2023. Their sport center console lineup continues to grow in size and popularity.

The purpose of the “sport” center console is to increase the range of appeal of the center console concept while also adding family-oriented cruising, exploring, and watersports adventuring. This is done by adding creature comforts and amenities beyond the typical centre console platform. Pursuit has taken some of these successful features from its larger Sport models and put them to good use in the new S 248 Sport.

It is unlikely you will find a larger integrated swim platform on a center console of this size. Its side wings extend most of the distance aside the motor and a generous walk-across is provided in front of the motor. A large storage locker is located within the port side of the platform and Pursuit’s 3-step telescoping boarding ladder is mounted within the starboard side of the platform.

The transom is fully utilized with a pair of topside-mounted stainless steel rod holders on each side of an optional recessed pop-up ski-tow pylon. The port side of the transom features a 24-gallon lit and recirculating livewell. A walk-thru transom door on the starboard side leads into the cockpit.

A fold-down two-person transom seat with polished stainless steel hardware comes with a patented self-adjusting backrest. This stern seat faces the aft side of the molded helm leaning post console, inside of which is a 45-quart Yeti cooler mounted on a slide-out tray. Above the cooler is a full-width tackle storage drawer.

Insulated 11-gallon in-floor fish boxes with a discharge pump are found on each side of the cockpit, while under-gunnel horizontal rod holders are found on both sides of the cockpit, as are a pair in-gunnel vertical rod holders. Moving forward, a unique in-coaming storage compartment is found on each side of the cockpit just ahead of the center console.

On the forward face of the console is a double-wide upholstered seat with high backrest and fold-down armrests. The entire forward face of the console with this seat attached opens to reveal a head compartment and/or storage compartment. A SaniPottie is standard, as is a storage cabinet. A large in-floor storage compartment is just ahead of the console seat.

Removable cushions allow the port and starboard bow bench seats to become part of a bow casting platform utilizing the optional filler platform which comes with a cushion to create a bow sunpad. The filler platform and cushion have dedicated storage areas. Beneath the bow seats are insulated storage compartments, and behind them are coaming storage compartments with a USB charge receptacle on the port side.

Recessed full-length bow safety grab rails are found on both sides while optionally available removable forward facing rotating backrests accommodate forward facing lounging on the bow seats. A bow table with dedicated storage is also optionally available. A large foredeck anchor locker houses a standard galvanized anchor with rode and roller chute. This may be optionally upgraded to a stainless steel anchor and/or an electric anchor windlass. You may also want the available four-step telescoping bow beach ladder that retracts into the anchor locker.

The molded fiberglass hardtop on the S 248 Sport has powder coated supports and a full height windshield with side wings. There are four rod holders on the aft edge of the hardtop, fore and aft-facing spreader lights, a pair of LED overhead tri-colour lights above the dash and an overhead storage box.

A pair of helm chairs with individual flip-up forward bolsters, outside armrests, and molded-in footrests face a tilting stainless steering wheel on a molded carbon coloured dash with an upper forward surface intended for touchscreens. Below this are a bank of DC rocker switches to the left of the wheel with space to the right of the wheel reserved for the Yamaha Helm Master® screen and optional stereo head control unit.

Below this and to the right is the engine control binnacle and controls for the standard Lenco auto-retracting trim tabs. Two in-dash drink holders are provided. The dash also has a 12-volt DC outlet and a dual USB charge port. On top of the dash is a storage tray with a non-slip padded surface, an excellent place for sunglasses, cellphones, or other small gear. And as with other Pursuits, the entire dash is hinged to open toward the helm chairs to reveal all internal wiring and instrumentation which makes troubleshooting, maintenance, and installations much easier.

Power for the S 248 Sport is provided by a Yamaha Digital F300 V-8 Offshore outboard in Pearlescent White with integrated Digital Electric Steering (DES) and Helm Master® EX Digital Electronic Control (DEC). This engine choice will more than adequately get you out to your favourite fishing spots or pull your kids on a tube.

Additional notable standard equipment includes a raw water outlet in the cockpit with hose and a large in-floor hatch immediately forward of the stern bench seat providing excellent access to the molded bilge area with its various pumps and other mechanicals.

There are lots of available optional equipment to allow you to personalize your S 248 Sport. There are five hull side colours and four hull bottom colours from which to choose in addition to the standard Fresh White. There are also five available colours for the underside of the hardtop and/or for the helm and/or for boot stripe colours, all in addition to the standard colour in each case. Standard upholstery colour is Sea Salt or choose the optional White/Gray combination.

A pressurized freshwater system is available which includes an aft-cockpit shower. This freshwater option also includes a wiper-washer when the optional articulated windshield wiper is selected. It also includes a washdown hose when the optional bow beach ladder is selected. You may want mid-level cockpit LED blue lighting to augment the standard cockpit LED courtesy lighting. All colour Sea Blaze Quattro Spectrum underwater lights are available as is a portlight for the head compartment. You may also want the electric marine head with holding tank.

A Bluetooth-compatible JL stereo system with USB input, amplifier, subwoofer and four speakers are available, or instead choose the Premium stereo system with additional speakers and various upgrades. The Premium Helm Seating option provides four folding armrests, articulated flip-up forward bolsters, fore and aft seat slide adjustments, and an Edson® stainless steering wheel with control knob and non-slip grip.

Leaving some of the best to last, there are several available canvas protection options including Strataglass and Sunbrella® hardtop connector side curtains with dodger wings, an aft curtain, bow and/or leaning post, and/or engine and/or instrument/dash covers. Four colours of Sunbrella® are available. You may also want the highly desirable and stowable bow and/or cockpit Med-Style Sunshade. For electronics, Pursuit offers a single Garmin® GPSMAP 8612XSV 12-inch touchscreen with transducer, and pre-rigged for VHF radio. To this you may then add a second Garmin® GPSMAP 8612 display.

The Pursuit S 248 Sport is easily one of the most feature-filled center console style boats on the market that will appeal to both fishing and recreational aficionados.

2023 Pursuit S 248 Sport Photo Gallery

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