Among offshore saltwater anglers, center-console models seem to dominate conversations today. Too often lost in those discussions is any mention of one of the most storied and capable styles of bluewater fishing machine—the express sport-fisher.
The new OS 405 Offshore from Pursuit may well change that conversation, reminding anglers of the high functionality, comfort and seaworthiness that express sport-fishers bring to the bluewater equation.
But that’s not all. The triple-outboard-powered OS 405 Offshore exudes sleek styling, earning admiring, sometimes envious looks from fellow anglers, even when you’re not flying multiple marlin or sailfish flags from the halyards upon your return from forays to the Gulf Stream.
Board through the inward-opening, heavy-duty portside cockpit door and you’ll realize that this boat is built solid and with exquisite detail.
Replacing the popular OS 385 Offshore in the Pursuit lineup, the OS 405 can reach speeds in the mid-50 mph range. This combines with a wave-taming hull and systems that allow for easy control, whether you’re running in steep seas or docking in tight quarters.
The OS 405 also offers the range to cruise to distant islands and, thanks to a spacious cabin and helm deck, spend multiple days and nights on board. This gives express sport-fishers a tremendous advantage over center-console boats with limited cabin space.
The cockpit of the OS 405 includes two mezzanine seats, providing a place to relax or watch for any mahi or wahoo that crash your spread. A flip-out transom bench seat offers additional seating, but also folds away quickly once you hook up.
A 50-gallon transom livewell holds all of the live bait you will need for a day of fishing, and a 75-gallon fish box with a chiller minimizes the amount of ice you’ll need to keep some mutton snapper cold and ready to fillet. In total, there’s 89 gallons of insulated in-sole fish-box capacity on this boat.
At the end of the day, you can clean up the deck with a raw- or freshwater washdown hose. You can also utilize the freshwater sink and faucet built into the transom to wash your hands and rinse off lures and terminal tackle. When it’s time for dinner, cook up your mutton snapper fillets on the electric grill in the forward port corner of the cockpit.
Keeping the boat stable enhances safety, fends off mal de mar, and keeps the crew comfortable and happy. That’s why Pursuit equips the OS 405 with a Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer. It is accessed easily for service via a clever hatch in the cockpit. Powering the Seakeeper and other onboard systems, such as the air conditioning, microwave and electric grill, is a Fischer Panda 9 kW diesel generator.
The bridge deck serves as more than just a command center for the captain; it is also a social gathering place with a strong sense of feng shui, comfort and convenience. Covered by a sleek hardtop
with a sweeping single-piece front windshield and side windows, the helm deck features Stidd captain and companion chairs, and wraparound seating with a dining table to port that also converts to a berth. It’s cooled by dual 10,000 Btu air-conditioning systems that double as windshield defoggers.
A pair of big 22-inch fully networked Garmin multifunction displays adorn the helm, providing touchscreen access to all marine electronics, including sonar and radar systems, as well as monitoring and control of other ship systems. The Yamaha Helm Master EX Full Maneuverability system and a Lewmar bow thruster make for easy docking.
This boat weighs in at more than 25,000 pounds, so I was really curious about how it would perform. The triple XTO 450 outboards propelled us to plane in 6.5 seconds, reaching 30 mph in 12.8 seconds and posting a top speed of 54.1 mph. Cornering was a breeze thanks to the electric steering of the XTO 450 outboards, and the OS 405 sliced through seas with smooth confidence. Maximum cruising range comes in at 274 miles at 34.7 mph, based on 90 percent of the 482-gallon fuel capacity. That’s plenty of range for a round trip to most points in the Bahamas.
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When you get to an island and want to spend a few days, the Pursuit OS 405 cabin will surround you and your crew in luxury. Accessible via a sliding door on the port side of the bridge deck, the interior features 6 feet, 10 inches of headroom, a 16,000 Btu air-conditioning system, and an island berth that electrically converts to a lounging position.
In addition, there are two hanging lockers, a full galley including a microwave, a 32-inch TV, and a private head with a shower and 6 feet, 4 inches of headroom. There’s also a private and surprisingly roomy midcabin with a queen berth. Tinted hullside windows and a bow hatch usher in light.
If you seek a solid and capable offshore machine with cruising-worthy creature comforts for extended angling adventures, try looking beyond the center-console sector and consider an outboard-powered express sport-fisher. Check out the Pursuit OS 405, and you’ll see what I mean.
Specifications
| Length: | 43’0″ (with swim platform) |
| Beam: | 13’0″ |
| Draft: | 3’7″ (outboards up) |
| Weight: | 25,272 lb. (with power) |
| Fuel: | 482 gal. |
| Max HP: | 1,350 |
| MSRP: | $1,254,290 (base with triple Yamaha XTO 450s) |
Pursuit Boats – Fort Pierce, Florida; pursuitboats.com
