Both the Pursuit C 280 2009 and the Pursuit C 310 2008 are deep-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Pursuit C 280 2009 at 28,0 ft versus Pursuit C 310 2008 at 31,0 ft. At 8 510 lbs and 8 500 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class - either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 600 hp, the Pursuit C 310 2008 has a 100-hp advantage over the Pursuit C 280 2009's 500-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 C 310 2008 carries 260 gallons versus 220 gallons in the Pursuit C 280 2009. 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 C 310 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Pursuit C 280 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Pursuit C 310 2008 could be the deciding factor.