The Pursuit Boats 3100 Pursuit 2012 vs Pursuit Boats S 428 Sport 2022 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 425 hp, the Pursuit Boats S 428 Sport 2022 has a 125-hp advantage over the Pursuit Boats 3100 Pursuit 2012's 300-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 S 428 Sport 2022 carries 547 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Pursuit Boats 3100 Pursuit 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 Boats S 428 Sport 2022 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Pursuit Boats 3100 Pursuit 2012 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Pursuit Boats S 428 Sport 2022 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Pursuit Boats S 428 Sport 2022 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 42,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Pursuit Boats 3100 Pursuit 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.