The Pursuit 2870 Offshore 2006 vs Pursuit S 310 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Pursuit S 310 2012 measures 31,2 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Pursuit 2870 Offshore 2006 at 28,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Pursuit S 310 2012 tips the scales at 889 lbs — 132 lbs less than the Pursuit 2870 Offshore 2006 at 757 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 600 hp for the Pursuit 2870 Offshore 2006 and 600 hp for the Pursuit S 310 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Pursuit 2870 Offshore 2006 carries 232 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Pursuit S 310 2012. 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 S 310 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Pursuit 2870 Offshore 2006 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Pursuit S 310 2012 could be the deciding factor.