--- title: Pursuit Boats S 388 description: In this blog, find out how our customers helped shape the development of our S 388 Sport center console. image: https://blog.pursuitboats.com/hubfs/Pursuit%20Files/BLOG_Featured/CustomerShapedS388.jpg --- [![Pursuit Boats](https://cdn.pursuitboats.com/images/SiteMenu/Pursuit_W.png)](https://www.pursuitboats.com/index.php) - MODELS   MODELS   [![A girl enjoys riding on a bowrider D 246 Pursuit dual console boat with hardtop.](https://cdn.pursuitboats.com/images/SiteMenu/D246.jpg)](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Denali.php) ## [DENALI](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Denali.php)   [D 365](https://www.pursuitboats.com/D365.php) [D 326](https://www.pursuitboats.com/D326.php) [D 306](https://www.pursuitboats.com/D306.php) [D 286](https://www.pursuitboats.com/D286.php) [D 266](https://www.pursuitboats.com/D266.php) [D 246](https://www.pursuitboats.com/D246.php) [![A front view of Pursuit OS 445 Offshore boat.](https://cdn.pursuitboats.com/images/SiteMenu/OS445.jpg)](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Offshore.php) ## [OFFSHORE BOATS](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Offshore.php)   [OS 445](https://www.pursuitboats.com/OS445.php) [OS 405](https://www.pursuitboats.com/OS405.php) [OS 355](https://www.pursuitboats.com/OS355.php) [OS 325](https://www.pursuitboats.com/OS325_25.php) [![A woman at the helm of Pursuit Boats S 358 Sport Center Console Boat running offshore.](https://cdn.pursuitboats.com/images/SiteMenu/sport.jpg)](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Sport.php) ## [SPORT CENTER CONSOLE](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Sport.php)   [S 428](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S428.php) [S 388](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S388.php) [S 358](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S358.php) [All-New S 328](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S328_25.php) [All-New S 288](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S288_27.php) [S 288](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S288.php) [S 268](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S268.php) [S 248](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S248.php) - [DEALER](https://www.pursuitboats.com/DealerLocator.php) - [INVENTORY](https://www.pursuitboats.com/InventorySearch.php) - [BUILD](https://www.pursuitboats.com/buildaboat/index.php) - [BLOG](https://blog.pursuitboats.com) - REQUEST   REQUEST   ![Pursuit S 328 Sport Center Console boat at sunset.](https://cdn.pursuitboats.com/images/SiteMenu/publications26.jpg) ## PUBLICATIONS   [Brochure Request](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Inquiries/CatalogRequest.php) [EXPLORE Magazine](https://www.pursuitboats.com/EXPLORE.php) ![Pursuit S 388 Helm Photo](https://cdn.pursuitboats.com/images/SiteMenu/information26.jpg) ## INFORMATION   [Request Updates](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Inquiries/Updates.php) ![Photo of inside Pursuit Plant](https://cdn.pursuitboats.com/images/SiteMenu/plant26.jpg) ## PLANT TOUR   [Request Plant Tour](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Inquiries/PlantTour.php) ![Pursuit flagship models DC 365, OS 445, and S 428 running toward the camera.](https://cdn.pursuitboats.com/images/SiteMenu/contact26.jpg) ## CONTACT   [Customer Relations](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Inquiries/CustomerService.php) [Sales Department](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Inquiries/Sales.php) [Marketing Department](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Inquiries/Marketing.php) [Human Resources](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Inquiries/HumanResources.php) ![Photo of Pursuit employees at manufacturing facility.](https://cdn.pursuitboats.com/images/SiteMenu/careers26.jpg) ## CAREERS   [Join the Team](https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs?clientkey=412A56AEC28954C702B6ABDE8AD01F58&fromClientSide=ture) - DISCOVER   DISCOVER   ![Pursuit models in water at boat show.](https://cdn.pursuitboats.com/images/SiteMenu/events26.jpg) ## NEWS/EVENTS   [Boat Shows/Dealer Events](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Events.php) [Special Promotions](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Promotions.php) [Press](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Articles.php) [News](https://www.pursuitboats.com/PressReleases.php) ![Photo of Pursuit on side on hull.](https://cdn.pursuitboats.com/images/SiteMenu/about26.jpg) ## ABOUT PURSUIT   [PURETECH SUITE™](https://www.pursuitboats.com//PureTech.php) [Defining PURE. 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At Pursuit, we have always believed in the latter approach, and nowhere is this philosophy more evident than in the development of our [Pursuit S 388 Sport Center Console](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S388.php). The story of how the S 388 came to life is really a story about listening – and about one Florida family whose hundreds of hours on the water helped guide our design team toward creating something truly special.   ## Meet the Kings: Pursuit Boats' Real-World Testing Team ![The King Family at the debut of the S 388](https://blog.pursuitboats.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pursuit%20Files/BLOG_Featured/FullSizeRender.jpeg?width=960&height=540&name=FullSizeRender.jpeg) The King family of Lighthouse Point, Florida – Mark, Emily, and their daughter Madeleine – aren't your typical focus group. As veteran owners of a Pursuit S 378, the family has logged hundreds of hours exploring the waters around South Florida, including taking many weekend cruises across to the Bahamas. Their active lifestyle perfectly captures how our customers actually use their boats: serious fishing mixed with entertaining, plus long-distance cruising combined with casual day trips, always making the most of their time together on the water. "Whether we're fishing or having dinner on the hook with a boatload of friends, people tend to inquire what we like best about our boat," Mark explained. "I'm often just talking to people, not to sell the boat but from an owner's perspective, of what really works well for us or how we like to go boating." This real-world perspective made the Kings natural candidates to become Pursuit brand ambassadors. But when it came time to develop [the next generation S 388](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S388.php), our team took the family's involvement to an entirely new level.   ## Behind the Curtain: A Collaborative Design Process ![Design photo of the Pursuit S 388 Center Console boat](https://blog.pursuitboats.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pursuit%20Files/BLOG_Featured/SX%20Side%202%5B52%5D.png?width=960&height=905&name=SX%20Side%202%5B52%5D.png) Rather than simply sending out a survey or catching up at a boat show, Pursuit Boats invited the King family to participate directly in the S 378's redesign. Emily recalled the experience feeling almost like a classified mission, arriving at a hangar to see a full-scale mockup of what would eventually become [the S 388](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S388.php). "When they reached out and invited us to go, it was super-secret," she remembered. "Even a lot of the other Pursuit people hadn't seen the mockup. It was this 1:1 scale plywood and cardboard setup." Working alongside Pursuit Boats' Director of Brand Management Mark Taiclet, and Director of Design Daniel Genord, the Kings got hands-on with every aspect of the boat's layout. As Emily put it: "They talked to us because they know that we really use our boat the way they want Pursuit boats to be used, which is a mixture of fishing and entertaining." This wasn't just about asking what the family liked or didn't like though – it was about the Pursuit team watching how the Kings actually moved through the space, how Emily set up her cooking workflow, for example, and where the practical pain points emerged during their real-world use of the prototype.   ## "Every Square Inch is an Opportunity" ![Pursuit S388 Gally](https://blog.pursuitboats.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pursuit%20Files/BLOG_Featured/Pursuit%20S388%20Gally.jpg?width=960&height=640&name=Pursuit%20S388%20Gally.jpg) Mark Taiclet's philosophy that "every square inch is an opportunity" became the guiding principle for the S 388's development. Starting with an additional eight inches of overall length and raising the sole by two inches, the team was able to reimagine virtually every aspect of the boat. The results speak for themselves. Storage increased by a massive 93% over the outgoing S 378, with various improvements spread throughout the boat. In-floor fish boxes became deeper, while the redesigned mezzanine seating now incorporates extensive tackle storage. Additional rod holders were strategically placed both under the hardtop and in the cabin. But perhaps the most telling example of how customer input shaped the design came in the galley area. Emily approached the life-size mockup the same way she would her own kitchen, thinking through her workflow and identifying exactly what facilities she needed within arm's reach. "When I'm standing at the grill, here's what I want to my left and my right," she explained. "And I want to be able to get to the trash can and the refrigerator. They really listened to the actual workflow. It was almost like when you're designing a kitchen in your house." The result is a well appointed galley that's nearly a foot wider than before, with everything positioned for maximum efficiency. The chef now works under the protection of the hardtop, with the fully equipped entertainment center now boasting dedicated storage for the cockpit table, vertical bottle storage for essentials, and even a custom charcuterie board with its own storage compartment.   ## Engineering Excellence Meets Real-World Practicality ![Pursuit S 388 Sport Center Console anchored](https://blog.pursuitboats.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pursuit%20Files/BLOG_Featured/S388_2645_LG-195.png?width=960&height=540&name=S388_2645_LG-195.png) The [S 388 Sport Center Console](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S388.php) represents more than just customer feedback translated into fiberglass and stainless steel. Every suggestion from the King family was filtered through Pursuit Boats' commitment to engineering excellence and build quality. The boat's enhanced profile, achieved through its additional height, provides better visibility and a more commanding presence on the water. The starboard dive door/boarding door is wider, with additional cleats integrated into the transom for easier access from the swim platform – perfect for hanging dive gear after a day exploring reefs in the Bahamas. Storage improvements weren't just about adding space, either. They were about adding the right kind of space in the right places. The lazarette, for example, gained capacity by relocating the [Seakeeper](https://www.seakeeper.com/) system amidships, while cold storage was strategically distributed on the foredeck and in the cockpit, as well as in several nifty drawer-style refrigerator/freezer units in the cabin - an upgrade that Emily specifically requested. Naturally, the S 388 boasts abundant hidden storage solutions, in-floor fishboxes, and a spacious cabin for comfortable overnight accommodations. The air conditioned helm position also reflects the same attention to customer feedback, now finished with elegant teak accents and featuring a handsome teak-clad Edson wheel, ahead of a comprehensive Garmin electronics suite. The windshield is also laminated and vented, addressing a common problem of condensation during early morning departures. Seating consists of triple seats with adjustable backrests, forming one part of the boat's multiple social zones. Even the hardtop showcases this blend of customer insight and engineering innovation. The contrasting dark finish reduces glare (addressing a real-world issue experienced by many boaters), while the manually sliding sunroof and improved sun shade system maximizes usability and still allows for abundant natural light to enter, without sacrificing durability.   ## Performance That Matches the Promise ![Pursuit Boats S 388 Spot Center Console running](https://blog.pursuitboats.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pursuit%20Files/BLOG_Featured/S388_0950_LG-195.png?width=960&height=640&name=S388_0950_LG-195.png) Being one of the latest model in our Sport series, you better believe that the new S 388 is definitely not short on power. Triple Yamaha 450hp XTO outboard motors are factory-specified as its standard power package. This represents an increase of 75 total horsepower over the S 378. The outboards are paired with Yamaha's Helm Master system for total control and full maneuverability at your fingertips. To ensure that you have enough gas for proper cruising, the S 388 boasts a decent 17% increase in fuel capacity for a total of 500 gallons. For families like the Kings who regularly make the crossing to the Bahamas or who generally enjoy longer cruises, this translates to greater range and fewer fuel stops.   ## Your Voice Matters ![Pursuit S 388 overhead shot](https://blog.pursuitboats.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pursuit%20Files/BLOG_Featured/S388_Debut.jpg?width=960&height=480&name=S388_Debut.jpg) The development of[the S 388](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S388.php) reflects Pursuit's ongoing commitment to listening to our customers and incorporating their insights into every boat we build. It is a permanent reminder that whether you are a longtime owner with suggestions for improvements, or a prospective buyer with specific needs, your voice matters in shaping the future of Pursuit Boats. Emily King summed it up best after seeing the finished S 388 at its premiere: "They really listened in minute detail. I was amazed at how much they were able to do, from going through the mockup to the finished product at the launch. So many of the features were exactly what we talked about." Experience the difference that our customer-driven design makes: [Contact your nearest authorized Pursuit dealer](https://www.pursuitboats.com/DealerLocator.php) to schedule a demonstration of the S 388 Sport and discover how listening to our customers has made this our most refined center console yet. ## Related Content #### [Pursuit DC 306 Dual Console](https://blog.pursuitboats.com/dc-306-dual-console) #### [The Pursuit Boats merch store has been restocked!](https://blog.pursuitboats.com/the-pursuit-boats-merch-store-has-been-restocked) #### [Pursuit S 288 Pursuing Perfection](https://blog.pursuitboats.com/pursuit-s-288-pursuing-perfection) ![Pursuit Boats Logo](https://cdn.pursuitboats.com/images/SiteMenu/Pursuit_W.png) MODELS [D 365](https://www.pursuitboats.com/D365.php) [D 326](https://www.pursuitboats.com/D326.php) [D 306](https://www.pursuitboats.com/D306.php) [D 286](https://www.pursuitboats.com/D286.php) [D 266](https://www.pursuitboats.com/D266.php) [D 246](https://www.pursuitboats.com/D246.php) [OS 445](https://www.pursuitboats.com/OS445.php) [OS 405](https://www.pursuitboats.com/OS405.php) [OS 355](https://www.pursuitboats.com/OS355.php) [OS 325](https://www.pursuitboats.com/OS325_25.php) [S 428](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S428.php) [S 388](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S388.php) [S 358](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S358.php) [S 328](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S328_25.php) [S 288](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S288_27.php) [S 268](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S268.php) [S 248](https://www.pursuitboats.com/S248.php) REQUEST [Brochure](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Inquiries/CatalogRequest.php) [EXPLORE Magazine](https://www.pursuitboats.com/EXPLORE.php) [Updates](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Inquiries/Updates.php) [Plant Tour](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Inquiries/PlantTour.php) [Careers](https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs?clientkey=412A56AEC28954C702B6ABDE8AD01F58&fromClientSide=ture) DISCOVER [Events](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Events.php) [Promotions](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Promotions.php) [Press](https://www.pursuitboats.com/Articles.php) [News](https://www.pursuitboats.com/PressReleases.php) [PURETECH SUITE™](https://www.pursuitboats.com/PureTech.php) [Defining PURE. 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