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.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1498743624/1677480720/articles/96iykvfaY1679901570429/5591851988.jpg]
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.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1498743624/1677480720/articles/96iykvfaY1679901570429/5867687917.jpg]
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.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1498743624/1677480720/articles/96iykvfaY1679901570429/6987979915.jpg]
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.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1498743624/1677480720/articles/96iykvfaY1679901570429/1166886887.jpg]
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 he...
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1498743624/1677480720/articles/96iykvfaY1679901570429/5591851988.jpg]
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.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1498743624/1677480720/articles/96iykvfaY1679901570429/5867687917.jpg]
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.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1498743624/1677480720/articles/96iykvfaY1679901570429/6987979915.jpg]
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.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1498743624/1677480720/articles/96iykvfaY1679901570429/1166886887.jpg]
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 he...
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Boating (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 2023