2024 Pursuit DC 326

Boat Reviews

Boat Review by: Richard Crowder

Pursuit’s dual console DC 326 at at 34’6” LOA is the second largest of five dual consoles in Pursuit’s fleet, which totals 17 models from 24-45 feet including Offshore and Sport Center Console models. Pursuit Boats of Fort Pierce, Florida originated as part of Tiara Yachts and was acquired in 2018 by Malibu Boats, a group that now includes Maverick Skiffs, Axis Wake Boats, and the revered Cobalt brand.

Boarding the DC 326 is made easy regardless of your access point. A molded step on the starboard cockpit side assists entry from a high dock. A boarding door on the starboard side of the cockpit aids entry or egress from a lower dock or from the water with the aid of the removable and storable boarding ladder. Similarly, the low-to-the-water integrated swim platform with its large extensions bracketing the engines provides excellent entry or egress from a lower dock, or from the water with the aid of the unique Pursuit pull-out and flip-down four-step boarding ladder.

Once on the swim platform, molded-in splashwell steps aid in access from one side of the platform to the other and a port side transom door provides ready access to the cockpit. Once in the cockpit, it’s easy to see why the DC 326 is so readily adaptable and so accommodating for family outings or serious fishing expeditions.

The starboard side of the transom features a lighted 26-gallon recirculating livewell in Oceana Blue while five vertical rod holders across the transom and another four in the gunwales provide quick and easy access as required. A cockpit tackle center with three Plano storage boxes is found behind the port side double-wide aft-facing seat backrest and an insulated fish box with pump and overboard discharge is found on each side of the aft cockpit sole. The aft-facing seat has a fold-down armrest and insulated storage beneath the hinged seat cushion.

There is another fold-down double-wide bench seat on the cockpit port side along with Pursuit’s patented fold-down double-wide transom seat with adjusting headrest. A custom molded cockpit table with dual mounting locations and dedicated storage serves these three bench seats. Along with a drawer refrigerator and storage drawer, both located beneath the helm chair, a cockpit molded entertainment center aft of the helm chair serves both families and fishermen with its sink, faucet, cutting board, and trash receptacle.

Moving right forward through the center opening windshield section with articulating center vent to the U-shaped bow seating area, forward-facing stretch-out lounging is encouraged with the oversized backrests with fold-down armrests on the forward faces of the two consoles. Plush surround seating is provided with flip-up side seat bottom cushions with insulated storage below. Port and starboard coaming boxes together provide four drink holders, storage keeper, 12 VDC and USB outlets, LED lighting, a stereo remote, and a pair of speakers.

This bow seating is fully surrounded by both side bolsters cum backrests plus a low-profile safety grab rail topside. A bow table with dedicated storage is provided as is a filler cushion to convert the bow area to a huge bow fishing platform or a sun lounge. A foredeck hatch provides access to the standard electric anchor windlass complete with thru-stem anchor roller, polished plow-style anchor with chain and rode, both fresh and raw water washdown, and an LED anchor locker light. A bow area in-floor access hatch cum storage area is also provided.

An extra-wide helm chair with fold-down armrests and forward flip-up seat bolster has fore and aft adjustment and is pedestal mounted allowing it to swivel to provide social contact with others in the cockpit. This helm chair faces a stainless-steel tilting steering wheel with power knob and non-slip grip. Below this on the helm face is a neat footrest which folds down to provide extra standing height at the helm if desired.

On the dash are a standard pair of 12” Garmin® 8612 GPSMAP touch screens and the Yamaha Helm Master® EX display. A Garmin® 315 VHF radio is also included. Illuminated Carling® rocker switches fill the 12-VDC dash panel which also includes the trim tab control with indicators and the joystick control for the standard bow thruster. A full function stereo remote is also on the dash as are two 12-VDC outlets, one 12V dual USB charger outlet, plus a pair of drink holders.

Opposite the helm on the port side is a U-shaped molded lounge seat offering both aft and fore-facing seating with a fold-down armrest. Ahead of this lounge seating, the port side console with access door and entry step down features a convertible seat cum berth, hanging locker, four horizontal rod holders, and opening portlite with screen among other useful goodies. The starboard side console ahead of the helm includes a vacuum flush electric head, Corian® countertop with sink and cold water faucet, vanity mirror, and storage cabinet.

The molded fiberglass hardtop on the DC 326 has a pair of overhead opening ventilation hatches with screens along with four tri-colour LED lights plus indirect lighting over the dash and both fore and aft-facing spreader lights. Strataglass™ side curtains are standard equipment. Also within the hardtop are four speakers for the standard JL Audio Bluetooth® compatible stereo system which adds a pair of speakers in the bow plus a subwoofer and amplifier.

Additional standard features include cockpit and bow machinery access hatches, a cockpit fresh water pull-out shower/sprayer, both raw and fresh water taps with hose attachments and hose, dual pantographic windshield wipers with washers, a Sunbrella bow tonneau cover, and both white and blue cockpit accent lighting. Dockside power is of course standard as is a 40-Amp battery charger.

Pursuit offers two choices of Yamaha® outboard power for its DC 326; twin digital F300 or F350 V6 Offshores in Pearlescent White with Integrated Digital Electric Steering (DES) and Helm Master® EX Digital Electronic Control (DEC). Yamaha® Joystick Control with Set Point™ and Autopilot is additionally available. Factory test results show the two larger F350’s produce a top speed of just over 55 mph and an efficient cruise speed of over 34 mph at 4000 RPM.

Additional notable optional equipment includes a 5 kW Fischer Panda® diesel generator, an air conditioner/heating package delivering 6000 BTU’s to the cabin and 12,000 BTU’s to the cockpit with adjustable vents at the helm, a 110 VAC cockpit grill, remote spotlight, underwater lighting, a 12 VDC chill plate for the cooler beneath the cockpit aft-facing seat, removable teak table for the port side U-shaped lounge seat opposite the helm, removable ski tow pylon, and a Premium stereo upgrade.

Also available is an electrically retractable cockpit sun shade, a portable bow sunshade, six aft hardtop-mounted rod holders, two choices in outriggers, Garmin® GMR 24 radar with dome, Garmin® GC-14 rear-facing camera, and a FLIR Night Vision camera with Image Stabilization. Pursuit offers five hull and/or helm colours plus the standard white in addition to five optional choices of boot stripe colour and an optional upholstery colour choice. To all of this you may choose from four Sunbrella® canvas colours or select white Stamoid® instead for the optionally available drop curtain, aft curtain, instrument cover or engine covers.

Pursuit’s DC 326 is a fine example of this company’s evolutionary approach to product enhancement and innovation while providing ever more features for both family enjoyment and fishing enthusiasts.

2024 Pursuit DC 326 Photo Gallery

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