Pursuit C238 Review

Story by Craig Ritchie Oct. 27, 2015

Since 2007, Pursuit’s C230 has set the standard as one of the best-engineered and most feature-packed center console fishing boats on the market. Focusing on the entry to mid-level buyer, the venerable C230 packed a lot of boat into its trim, 23-foot hull.

Always forward-thinking, the engineers at Pursuit recently announced plans to redesign the classic C230, and we’re not talking just a minor cosmetic tweak to keep things fresh. They rebuilt the boat from end to end for the 2016 model year, introducing more than 40 significant design changes. These upgrades not only greatly increase the boat’s overall utility, but give it far greater comfort and efficiency as well. Now named the C238, the new boat is a quantum leap forward from the previous model – which itself was always positioned at the front of the pack.

A taller, tempered glass windshield and a neatly molded, fiberglass T-top provide greater occupant protection than the previous design.

Now stretching 24 feet, 4 inches in overall length (up from the previous model’s 22-foot, 9-inch hull), the new C238 retains all that was good with the classic C230 while adding several new features. The midships center console has been completely restyled to provide greater protection, with a taller, tempered glass windshield and a neatly molded, fiberglass T-top replacing the former canvas version. An integrated overhead glove box provides safe and secure storage for smaller valuables. The aluminum frame supporting the T-top is powder-coated for enhanced corrosion resistance. Its base integrates into the console’s fiberglass sidewalls for a cleaner look and to lessen the chance of tripping unsuspecting passengers.

The helm itself has also been restyled with an eye to better integrating aftermarket electronics. The entire upper portion of the console is flat and open, easily accepting large or multiple LCD displays. A new titanium color option for the helm provides a more comfortable background for viewing the screens than the previous white fiberglass, while two integrated beverage holders and the addition of a charging outlet for handheld electronics are welcome additions.

The helm has been completely restyled with an eye to better integrating aftermarket electronics.

The driver and companion enjoy a redesigned leaning post with twin bucket seats, which provide significantly greater comfort and support than the post in the previous edition. Like the T-top, it rests on durable powder-coated aluminum legs that wrap into a fiberglass base, which conceals a deep well that’s made to accommodate a 45-quart Yeti cooler. The design lets you access the cooler without removal or sliding it out, for added convenience.

The C238 is said to add about 7 inches of cockpit room over the previous C230 model. While that may not sound like much, the new cockpit design makes the boat feel noticeably larger inside than one might expect. Much of that space gain results from the adoption of a new folding transom seat, which can be collapsed into the transom for more room while fishing. Standard LED cockpit lighting is a nice touch. Out back, the new C238 gains four flush-mount rod holders across the transom (relocated from theC230’s leaning post), and a larger swim platform with an integrated telescopic boarding ladder.

New bow seating conceals insulated storage below. Forward-facing seat backs rotate into the gunnels when not in use.

Up front, the integrated bow seating with insulated storage below gives the 238 greater all-round utility. The split bow seating provides single-deck access to the anchor locker up front, while the back rests for the forward-facing bow seats can be rotated rearward to rest flush against the gunnel when not in use. Access to the console head compartment is now through a larger entry in the front of the console, which is much more comfortable and convenient that the previous side entry.

Access to the head compartment is through the front of the console; a more convenient entry than in the previous C230 model.

Powered by a single Yamaha F250 outboard, the Pursuit C238 cruises comfortably at 25 mph, turning at around 3,500 rpm. With a full tank of fuel, that works out to a range of about 280 miles. At wide-open throttle and around 5,900 rpm, the F250 pushes the Pursuit C238 along at 47 mph. That’s plenty fast no matter how you slice it.

With its many refinements and forward-looking design features, Pursuit’s new C238 is a delightful successor to the popular C230. Seaworthy enough to fish the world’s oceans yet compact enough to be easily towed, it’s the kind of boat that will find fans everywhere it goes.