Posted: September 24 2007 at 23:43 | IP Logged

It would be good if we could generate some traffic with discussion dedicated to the pursuits.

I just picked up my "new to me" 2870 center console this weekend.  Under 400 hrs on 2001 225 optis.  Optis have had the fuel injectors, rails etc replaced under warranty, and i had a merc tech go through the pair pretty thoroughly, replacing one gear case housing, new pumps, popit valves, tstats, fuel filters etc.

Put a few hours on it this weekend, and it was GREAT.  Its my first boat, so id probably be happy with a 1984 bayliner LOL, but i sure feel like i made a good decision buying the 2870.  I cant wait to get back down soon to run it again (its down in NJ near our beach house, and i live in CT).  Boat will ultimately be used up by my house in CT in the LI Sound, but trailer is still on order and im not quite ready to take on the NJ to CT trip myself.

Posted: October 03 2007 at 00:45 | IP Logged

Congrats on the purchase. I know we chatted via PM a couple of months ago on THT. Appears you went with the boat in NJ. Glad it has worked out mechanically. You made the right decision going with the Pursuit. Wife and I are enjoying the heck out of ours. We are fortunate to be able to use it every weekend to cruise the intracoastal in the Tampa/Clearwater area. I am waiting for the water to cool a bit to get offshore for some grouper/snapper fishing. Next week starts stone crab season so we will be using the boat to harvest our share of this Florida delecacy.

Hope this forum works out. Getting a bit hostile over at THT.

Posted: October 03 2007 at 22:52 | IP Logged

Yep...i originally passed on the boat after pm'ing with you and a few others.  It "sold" to someone else, who balked at all the things it needed (which i had realized even before the other guy bought it).

Anyway, i was offered a deal (even below the already-fairly-low asking price)where they also agreed they would fix everything mechanical and electrical/electronic that needed it, on seller's dime.  I went thru the boat with a fine tooth comb with my surveyor, and came up with a list of about 20 things.  They took the boat to a respected local marina (who ended up doing an excellent job, imho), and they spent +$4k replacing all sorts of pumps, trim, lights, windlass, LU seals, new batts and batt holders, etc, etc that we had identified as needing work.

I then spent another $5k of my $$ having a bunch of maintenance done on the motors, as well as other stuff, including full detailing of hull, top and under deck too, some gelcoat work, two new bilge pumps (one to replace the one that still worked, but was a bit old, plus a second one with another thru hull, just to be on the safe side), and one new LU gearcase housing (there was some corrosion that would have been an issue soon).

So, after all that, the boat looks great, runs great, and according to the guy at the marina doing the work, seems very well sorted out.  The shop spent a lot of time on the optis since they are the 2001's, and it seems like all is well.  By the time i was done, i lost a few weeks due to all the work being completed, but im pretty comfortable the boat is now pretty solid.  And my cost basis in the boat is pretty damn good imho.

Ive only been out on it a few hours two weeks ago as ive been covered up at work for the past few weeks, but hope to change that this weekend, and get it moved up here to CT so i can sneak out some days during the week and catch the end of the striper season.

I'm now working on deciding on the electronics im going to put in (has older stuff on it now).  Leaning towards doing a furuno 585 FF and a 12" Garmin GPS/Chart, with a plan of probably adding radar too.  Lots of fun!

Posted: October 04 2007 at 11:33 | IP Logged

Glad to hear it has worked out for you. A strong testiment to Pursuit boats is the way you can "bring" one back. The gelcoat on even a 20 year old boat will shine like new when detailed properly. There are 2 issues (minor) that I have found that leave me scratching my head. The cheesey transom door design, which I am in the process of re-doing and the hatch hardware. The hatches are secured with 1/4 screws that screw into a molded block of wood underneath the hatch cover. I have replaced about a dozen with through bolts.

A couple of running tips that may help you out. My boat performs in the chop much better with a hefty amount of trim tab. It seems it needs more than most boats I have run, probably due to the light weight bow area. It also does much better fuel wise with some tab and the motors trimmed up a fair amount.

As far as electronics, I have used most mfg.'s in my travels and am very impressed with the Raymarine C series that came with my boat. The bottom machine is awesome and reads at cruise speed without any distortion. The chartplotter is pretty user friendly although the Lowrance and Garmin units seem to be a bit easier to learn. The one thing I like is the "plug and play" ability of the add on components. I added the s1000 autopilot and it was a very simple install. I too will be adding a 4kw open array radar next year and understand it is as easy as hooking up a vcr! The Raymarine website also offers online tutorials for thier multifunction displays. This is great to refresh your memory with.

Hope you are able to get out a few more times this year. Our bottom fishing season is just starting and I am also getting into the Stone Crab trapping a bit more aggressively this year. They are a tasty treat!

Posted: October 04 2007 at 15:37 | IP Logged

Actually it did not come with one, but i am in the process of buying one now....was supposed to show up a few days ago but no sign of it yet....argh.  Supposed to tow it from my place on NJ shore up to CT this weekend, but its not looking good.  I'm missing the stripers here in the north.

I ended up going the "cheap" route and bought a venture bunk.  Not great quality, but im not going to be using it much, maybe 4-6 time a year max, and while the rollers on the ventures are sh~t, I think the bunks are ok.  Triple axle galv 8600lb, disc brakes on all 3 axles, fairly basic setup  for $4k.  That was the best deal i found around here.

The boat buffed out well, so it looks MUCH better.  But mostly it was replacing about 75% of the assorted pumps, macerateor, lights, etc that makes me feel like i should be good to go for a while anyway without too many niggling problems to be chasing.

Pulled the trigger on a Garmin 3210 today.....got a great price ($1k) on one that was already sitting in the shop at the marina, was installed on a big sportfish for a month, and then pulled in favor of a 12" screen......the $700 discount should just about pay for the dedicated FF i plan to add as well 

Posted: October 04 2007 at 16:44 | IP Logged

Once i pull the gps/chart and FF, i have no plans for them (other than maybe ebay).  The Northstar 951x GPS works great, but is B&W and a bit limited in what chips it will take (navionics classic small chips only, no L or XL).  But as far as a B&W gps/chart goes, its probably one of the best ones on the market.  The FF is a Sitex CVS 106 MkII.. The screen is very good (and color), fires up fine, but has some problems with reading depth sometimes...but im about 90% certain its a 'ducer issue, and not the si tex unit iteself.  I would be willing to make someone a good deal on both or either of the units if anyone is interested.  951 should be available next week, unsure of when im pulling the si tex FF.

Regarding my windshield, there is nothing above the top of the console...ie no plexiglass.  There is eisenglass that can zipper in to make a windshield, but i have not used it to date.  I think the eisenglass is a good way to go, especially for you in florida....in the NE i would think its gonna start getting cold without the eisenglass up pretty soon (although its about 80F today!!)....and visibility thru the eisenglass is not perfect, and certainly worse in daylight than thru plexi.

I do like the feel of unfettered wind in my teeth on the two warm days i've been out in it so far 

Posted: October 08 2007 at 11:15 | IP Logged

May want to call Pursuit about what trailer manufacturers to use.  The previous owner of mine had his built for the boat by Float On.  He said that Pursuit recommended two trailer manufacturers - Float On being one of them.  The trailer is dual axle and plenty of trailer for the boat. 

I think I remember him saying he paid $7000 for the trailer.  I know that's a lot, but I can't imagine you'll find a beefy enough trailer for a 2870 without paying at least $6000.