The Pursuit Boats 2870 Center Console 1998 vs Pursuit Boats 365i SC 2014 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 350 hp, the Pursuit Boats 365i SC 2014 has a 125-hp advantage over the Pursuit Boats 2870 Center Console 1998's 225-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Pursuit Boats 2870 Center Console 1998 carries 16 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Pursuit Boats 365i SC 2014. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Pursuit Boats 365i SC 2014 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Pursuit Boats 2870 Center Console 1998 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Pursuit Boats 365i SC 2014 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Pursuit Boats 365i SC 2014 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 36,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Pursuit Boats 2870 Center Console 1998 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.