Pop quiz: what type of fishboat is geared to multipurpose pleasures ranging from fishing to watersports to entertainment? For many folks the natural choice will be a dual console, though we have to call you out for believing that any waterborne activity other than fishing is worthy of your consideration. Still, we understand that there will be families with errant members who would rather go waterskiing when the bite’s slow, and in an all-family-member vote a dual console is likely to win. The question then becomes, which dual console? If you like your boats built with topnotch quality, drop-dead-gorgeous looks, and a healthy dash of luxury mixed in, the Pursuit DC 246 will likely be in the running.
The DC 246 is built with construction techniques including a resin infused composite transom, a foam-filled and infused stringer grid, and a custom fiberglass-framed tempered glass windshield. Pursuit expanded its capacity and upgraded its construction methods in the spring of 2020 when it added a new 182,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and the results can be seen in the DC 246, one of the few new models to be introduced since its completion.
So, what does it have in store for the anglers among us? The cockpit is significantly larger than that of the boat’s predecessor (the DC 235), the fold-out transom seats flip up neatly out of the way, and the extending portside lounger retracts to open up even more fishing territory. Four flush-mount rodholders are in the gunwales, a 15-gallon lighted livewell lives in the transom, the overboard-draining transom fishbox holds 31 gallons, and both fresh and raw water washdowns come standard. Adding the hard top with four rocket launchers and spreader lights is an available option.
Notable features geared towards the less angling-inclined include a head in the portside console, coaming boxes with cup holders and USB ports, Dri-Fast foam with mesh backing in the seats, and folding arm rests for the bow cockpit seats. A center filler with cushion can be used to expand the bow cockpit’s lounging space, but note that using it also temporarily cramps the available fishing space forward of the helm.
Pursuit says the DC 246 will run at 33.6 mph while spinning an F300 at 4500 rpm, and top-end hits 45 mph. We haven’t verified these figures ourselves (for the same reasons mentioned previously) but note that historically Pursuit has offered up performance numbers that are conservative and lists their tested boat’s weight at 7535 pounds, almost 1400 pounds over the boat’s published dry weight.
If you want a die-hard fishboat, as usual we’d point in the direction of a center console. But, what if there’s a popularity contest that needs winning? In that case, a dual console may well win — and the Pursuit DC 246 will certainly be a contender.
Pursuit DC 246 specifications
LOA – 25’8”
Beam – 8’6”
Displacement – 6138 lbs.
Draft (min.) – 1’9”
Transom Deadrise – 21 degrees
Fuel Capacity – 118 gal.
Max. Power – 300 hp
Area Dealers – (Maryland) Bosun’s Marine, Grasonville, MD, (443) 347-6108; (Virginia) North Point Yacht Sales, Gloucester Point, VA, (804) 855-4090.