Boating Lifestyle • Orange Beach, Alabama • Ono Island Waterfront Living

Why the Pursuit S 328 / S 358 Is One of My Favorite Boats for Orange Beach and Ono Island

A Closer Look at a Boat That Truly Matches the Gulf Coast Lifestyle

The Pursuit S 328 and S 358 are, in my opinion, two of the most well-balanced boats for this area. They are not just built for the water. They are built for this water. The Gulf, the Pass, the bays, and everything in between.

“This is the kind of boat that feels just as comfortable running offshore as it does pulling up to a dock for lunch.”

The Size That Works Here

One of the first things I always point out is the size range. These boats typically run from about 32 to 37 feet in length, with beams between 10’6” and 11’4”. That is a sweet spot for our area.

They are large enough to handle offshore conditions with confidence, but still manageable when it comes to docking, lifting, and keeping behind a home. For many waterfront properties on Ono Island, this size works beautifully with existing lifts and pier configurations.

The draft, typically around 2’5” to 3’3”, also gives you flexibility. You can run deeper water with confidence, but still navigate many of the areas that define the boating lifestyle here.

Built for Gulf Conditions

What really sets this boat apart, in my opinion, is the hull design. The Pursuit S series uses a deep-V fiberglass hull with a deadrise around 21 to 22 degrees.

That matters in Orange Beach.

The Gulf is not always calm, and even on a good day, you can encounter chop at the Pass or heading offshore. This hull design is built to cut through that, giving you a smoother, more confident ride than smaller or flatter boats.

I have heard neighbors say it best:

“If you are going to run the Pass regularly, you want a boat that can handle it without thinking twice.”

Performance Where It Counts

These boats are typically powered by twin or triple Yamaha outboards, often in the 300 to 450 horsepower range per engine. That setup gives you both power and reliability.

Top speeds generally fall in the 45 to 55 mph range, depending on configuration, which means you can:

• Run quickly through Perdido Pass
• Head offshore to the rigs
• Make easy trips into Florida waters
• Cruise the beach comfortably

It is that combination of speed and stability that makes this boat feel so well-suited to the Gulf Coast.

Designed for Fishing and Comfort

This particular boat is set up exactly how many serious owners prefer:

• Enclosed helm windshield with side curtains
• Large fiberglass hardtop with tower and outriggers
• Fishing-focused cockpit with rod holders
• Forward console with cabin space (often used for a head or small berth)

This is not just a fishing boat, and it is not just a cruising boat. It does both. That versatility is something I see buyers consistently looking for when they are pairing a boat with a waterfront home.

How It Fits the Ono Island Lifestyle

When I think about homes on Ono Island, especially those with lifts and direct water access, this type of boat fits seamlessly into that lifestyle.

It is:

• Large enough for offshore confidence
• Refined enough for entertaining
• Practical enough for everyday use
• Versatile enough for fishing and cruising

And that is really the key. It is not just about owning a boat. It is about how often you use it. Boats like the Pursuit S 328 and S 358 tend to get used.

“This is the kind of boat I see behind homes where the owners truly live on the water.”

My Honest Take

If someone asked me to describe the ideal boat for Orange Beach and Ono Island in one sentence, I would say this:

It needs to handle offshore water, cruise comfortably, dock easily, and make you want to go out more often.

The Pursuit S 328 and S 358 do exactly that.

They are not the biggest boats on the water, and they are not the smallest. They sit right in that range where performance, comfort, and practicality all come together.

And in my opinion, that is exactly what works best here on the Gulf Coast.

Meredith Folger Amon is a Gulf Coast Expert Real Estate Advisor, licensed in Alabama and Florida. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers navigate waterfront homes, boating properties, and coastal real estate along the Gulf Coast.

Explore homes with boating access and waterfront living at www.searchthegulf.com

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