Looking at 2870 center consoles

[jsschieff]

I had a Mako 25 for nearly 20 years, sold it to buy a cruising boat. I liked the Albin 35
Command Bridge I bought, but right now I do not have time to go cruising so I sold it. I want to get back into a center console for a couple of years, and the boat that seems to fit my needs pretty well is the Pursuit 2870 center console. I do not fish -- I basically use a boat for day outings around Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. There are many great harbors here to explore, endless yachting events to watch, many good swimming holes to anchor in for an afternoon, and wonderful destinations outside Narragansett Bay to visit like Block Island. I am also looking at recent-model Century 32 center consoles -- they are really dry boats, soft-riding and well-built. However, I think the Pursuit will hold up better regarding resale and the Pursuit has a better reputation for quality.

I have looked at a couple of older 2870's with Yamaha 200 hp HPDI's, and I am planning to look at one or two more recent models with Yamaha 4-stroke 250's. I think resale value will hold up better with the 4-strokes, and I prefer the bucket helm seats on the 2006 and newer 2870's over the leaning post on the older models, but the price differential is about $20k. I'm not sure the 4-strokes and a few years more recent vintage are worth $20K.

Any opinions/advice from past or current owners of 2870's would be appreciated -- are 2870 cc's good-running boats? Anything to be aware of when I look at them? Any opinions on 200 HPDI's vs 250 4-strokes? There are a few 2870's for sale with 225 Yamaha 4-strokes, which I have heard is a poor engine -- very heavy and doggy.

If anyone has a 2870 center console for sale, let me know.

Thanks!
John S.
Jamestown, RI

[JOE ROLAND]

John,
I run a 1996 2870 offshore CC walkaround and love it. The boat handles the big water off the NS of Oahu very well, the placement of the console makes it easy on the knees. My boat has the twin inboards which have been great and the open transom makes getting 200lb YF into the boat a breeze. The 4 rod holders on the hardtop are too high to reach and I would have designed the legs for the top a little different allowing for more vertical clearing rod holders. The rear deck did get some water intrusion thru the deck screws but has been fixed. Overall a great fishing and family boat.

[Trpntj]

2870's are great boats and you can not go wrong with Pursuit quality/reputation. My boat is equipped with the HPDI's and I have to say I was on the fence when I first started looking. Like you I thought that the 4-strokes were the thing to have, but after researching and learning the ins/out of the 150-200 HPDI motor I am more than happy with them. When you see that its the only 2-stroke that Yamaha still produces, you know it's a stout reliable motor. Mine have 800hrs, with just factory service specs. (Water Pump, Plugs, Lower Unit Oil, Fuel Filters, Pump Belt)

With the weight savings and power output, these motors run with the 225 4-strokes, and have a lot less things to go wrong. Gone are the days of fouled plugs and poor fuel economy with the high pressure fuel system that directly injects fuel at over 700 psi. These things are more like a modern diesel engine than a conventional 2-stroke outboard. No cloudy smoke at idle, these things idle on 3 cylinders, and with the HPDI are virtually are smoke free with the right oil.

The one con is having to buy 2 stroke oil, and making sure you always have a supply onboard. It is offset however by the required oil changes in a 4 stroke and possible valve adjustments.

Now I would opt for the newer 250's 4-strokes but that just for that large jump in HP, but with more power comes lower fuel economy. But these boats only have a factory spec of 450 HP, so I dunno if that cause any insurance issues.

If you have any specific questions don't hesitate to ask.

Tripper

[jsschieff]

Great input -- thanks!
John S.

[mikeg]

I am also interested in a Denali or 2870.I am a tall guy and sleep on the boat some weekends with my wife.How big is the front bunk?I wrote pursuit and they said they don't have stats on older boats.The rest of the model looks great.