As contractors in the luxury home renovation business, Brian and Jennifer White have an eye for premium-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship. It's no surprise, then, that they are serial owners of Pursuit Boats. The close-knit Whites love spending time together on their latest boat, a 2024 S 358 Sport Center Console, which has become a regular fixture on waterways around Florida.
We spoke with Brian and Jennifer as well as their beautiful children - Payton and Elijah - about their love for family and boating.
From Jacksonville with Love
Brian was born in Phoenix City, Alabama. He and his older brother were adopted by a Jacksonville family when he was only a year old. Jennifer, meanwhile, was born in Jacksonville.
The couple met in November 1999 and were married only three months later in January 2000. "Just to clarify: Nobody was pregnant!" said Brian, laughing. "Now we've been married for 25 years!"
Starting a Family
The couple moved to St. Augustine in 2005 and have been there ever since. Together, they have raised three children - Caitlin, Payton, and Elijah. Caitlin has flown the nest and was married to her sweetheart in August 2024, however, her younger siblings are still in school.
Boat Shopping at the Pursuit Rendezvous
Brian and Jennifer's decision to buy their current boat, the S 358 Sport, was almost spontaneous. While participating in the 2023 Pursuit Owner's Rendezvous, Jennifer noticed a 2022 S 358 at the fuel dock. "Jen saw it and said, 'We have to go get on it!'" Brian recalled, chuckling. "We went over to it and it was four minutes into the ride, and Jen said, 'I think we should get one of these!'"
Their previous boat was a smaller, 2020 S 328 Pursuit center console which they loved, but it lacked a key feature that, after the demo ride, they knew they simply had to have. "This had a Seakeeper, which was a big selling point!" said Brian. "We immediately knew that if we got another boat, we'd get a Seakeeper on it."
Back home, the Whites began the agonizing budgeting process. "We were looking at the options list and trying to decide which to keep and which to omit, but we were adamant about the sunshade and the Seakeeper. We ultimately ordered it with those plus a carbon console and carbon underside for the hard top!"
Meanwhile, as if by luck, the exact boat that the couple had demoed in the Bahamas at the Rendezvous, was subsequently shipped to the Whites' local authorized Pursuit Boats dealer. "We put a deposit down on it, but the timing just didn't work out and after dealing with some personal challenges and running the numbers, we decided to buy a newer model instead."
Any Color... As Long as it's White
The White's boat boasts a distinctive color combination. "It's all white!" exclaimed Brian. "I'm an all-white boat guy. We even pulled the boot stripe off! I think the boat looks more impressive without a boot stripe, although I was sure we'd get kicked off the Rendezvous for doing that! (laughing). The upholstery is all white too! The rep told us not to order it all white. Then it showed up on the day of delivery and as they were unwrapping it, everyone came out of the building and told us that that was a good-looking boat," he said with a proud smile.
The family promptly christened their new boat, 'Bamma White'. "Bamma White is a combination of Alabama - where I was born - and our last name," he explained.
Onboard Luxury
Using the boat as regularly as they do, the family has thoroughly enjoyed their S 358's onboard luxuries and amenities. "We especially love the fit and finish and the aesthetics in general. I'm a person who likes air conditioning, so that's perfect for me. I also love having the cabin available to get out the weather, as well as a flushing toilet and fresh running water, which is all great."
He also praised their S 358's ride quality. "We have had six or eight guys on the boat going 60 miles offshore and the passengers don't even know that we're in four to five-foot seas. The ride and the stability are unmatched. We don't try to put ourselves into crazy water but we know that if we do happen to get into it, the boat can handle whatever we're heading into."
Closing Thoughts
White’s S 358 at the Pursuit factory.
As the owners of a whole series of boats over the years, Brian and Jennifer consider themselves to be Pursuit Boats customers for life. "We love the boat and we love the people. The Rendezvous has given us an opportunity to also meet the people at Pursuit Boats itself and we haven't met anyone from Pursuit that we didn't like. We were even able to go to the factory to watch the hull and cap being married together. And every time I have emailed or called the guys at the factory, I get the best support. That's what we love about the Pursuit Boats family and the brand."
White’s S 358 at the Pursuit factory
About the S 358 Sport Center Console from Pursuit Boats
The S 358 is Pursuit's first-ever 35' center console, offering unmatched luxury, comfort, and versatility for its size.
The transom features twin Yamaha XTO outboard motors, while just ahead of that, transom-mounted rod holders and fish wells are on hand to ensure that that big catch doesn't get away. The boat has a fuel capacity of 343 gallons (1,298 liters), ensuring you have enough fuel to go the distance every time, whether heading far offshore for fishing or cruising to the Bahamas.
The standard hardtop keeps the helm position cool and dry, while the row of three plush helm seats allows the driver and two passengers to sit high up and enjoy the view. Meanwhile, an optional remote control for the sound system can be placed in the bow so that you can control the tunes wherever you choose to relax.
And now, it's time to contact your nearest authorized Pursuit Boats dealer to arrange to view or demo the S 358. They're looking forward to hearing from you!
