The Pursuit Boats 2870 Center Console 1998 vs Pursuit C 260 2012 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 400 hp, the Pursuit C 260 2012 has a 175-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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 16 gal and 14 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Pursuit Boats 2870 Center Console 1998 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Pursuit C 260 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Pursuit Boats 2870 Center Console 1998 could be the deciding factor.