2010 Pursuit S 310 Sport

By: Mike Milne

As its name indicates, Pursuit has built a reputation primarily around offshore saltwater fishing, pursuing big game fish. The Pursuit S 310 Sport benefits from that heritage, with solid fibreglass construction and a deep-V, 24-degree deadrise hull with plenty of flare in the bow.

You can take the 31-foot S 310 Sport fishing, but its main mission is all-round family adventure. So it’s loaded with boater-friendly features that add convenience and comfort. From one point of view, the S 310 is a go anywhere picnic boat, a big and comfortable day cruiser. Anchor in a favourite bay or off a beach, trim up the outboards and nose up to a sandbar. You get the idea.

The V-shaped bow area seating with a varnished wood table makes a great place for an open-air meal. There’s a spacious enclosed head in the centre console, a hardtop Bimini for shade and a pair of facing bench seats in the aft cockpit that create a pleasant conversation area. A cooler under the forward console jump seat and an Isotherm drawer-style refrigerator built into the helm seat unit provide storage for food and beverages.

From another point of view, the S 310 doesn’t deny its heritage. The aft bench seat folds up to make fish fighting space, coaming rod holders keep angling weapons ready and there’s a handy built-in tackle box. The 45-gallon livewell aft will keep bait fresh and a pair of cockpit floor fish boxes are ready to ice down your catch.

Let’s face it, whether you buy this boat as an island cottage commuter or weekend crowd hauler, you will eventually want to take it fishing. In the meantime, it’s stylish, fast, comfortable and easy to drive.

The twin Mercury Verado FourStroke outboards push the boat to a top speed of 51.1 mph at 6500 rpm, with cruising speeds of 35.7 mph at 4500 rpm and 39.7 mph at 5000 rpm. The engines start and run smoothly and are very quiet at all speeds.

The S 310 will get to your favourite afternoon anchorage or fishing grounds in a hurry. And, no matter that the waves and weather, you will always have a comfortable and safe ride home.

TEST BOAT ENGINE
Twin Mercury Verado 250s, 158.5 ci / 2.6 L, inline six-cylinder, four-stroke outboards with electronic fuel injection producing 250 hp apiece, driving counter-rotating three-blade 17” pitch stainless steel props.

ACCELERATION (mph/sec)
0-20 / 5.5 ; 0-30 / 9.57 ; 0-40 / 11.6

TOP SPEED (rpm/mph)
6500 / 51.1

CRUISING SPEED (rpm/mph)
3500 / 25.6 ; 4000 / 29.8 ; 4500 / 35.7

SOUND LEVEL AT CRUISE (4500 rpm)
Helm – 83 dbA ; Aft cockpit – 84 dbA

SOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED
Helm – 85 dbA ; Aft cockpit – 87 dbA