The old saw that every boat is a compromise rings true for Pursuit's new 2865 Denali. But compromise, at least in this case, shouldn't be seen as a negative, especially for a boat designed for polar-opposite purposes ' family fun and fishing. It's a hard act to pull off, but this new Denali comes pretty close to blurring the lines between the two, while still keeping the functions separate.

The 2865 looks like many sportboats used for cruising, diving and watersports. But don't let that sterndrive fool you. Pursuit's fishing heritage stands out everywhere you look, from the diamond-patterned nonskid to the livewell under a cockpit seat. When you get down to the basics, this is really a fishing boat in a family package, rather than a runabout with some rodholders thrown in. Like other Pursuits, the quality is apparent all over the boat.

Boating World gets a positive impression of the 2865 on a run along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICU), near Pursuit's headquarters in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The 2865 is a replacement for the 2860, with a new cabin and cockpit built on the same hull. From the dock, it looks more stylish than the older 2860, mainly because of a curved windshield. The shield looks like a pair of modern Oakley wraps compared to the boxy '80s look of its predecessor, and gives the impression that looks do count.

When you step aboard, other details pop out. Designers added two rear-facing seats into the aft cockpit ' a single behind the sink to starboard, and a double behind the companion lounge. The seats cut into the corners of the 35-square-foot aft cockpit, making it more awkward if you have to move around to fight a fish. But the seats are worth it, especially if you're using the cockpit to entertain. Now, instead of a bench seat for two over the engine hatch, the transom area is a social circle for five.

The 2865 has other people-friendly features like a stainless-steel sink behind the helm seat, 12 drink holders through the cockpit, and a 30-gallon molded-in cooler with drain under the port seat. The L-shaped lounge on the port side has a huge storage space underneath ' dubbed the 'Jimmy Hoffa box' by Pursuit designers ' and is a one-piece molded unit, rather than separate pieces being held together by aluminum supports like the older model. The helm seat's electrically powered to glide up and back. All these add up to comfort for family cruising.

Dress it up as much as you want, this is a fishing boat at heart. Under the single seat is a 15-gallon livewell. There's coaming along the cockpit sides. Pursuit's diamond-edge nonskid assures good footing. And like some subconscious order to go fish, a tackle locker is built into the lower part of the cockpit 'refreshment center.' Absent, however, is a dedicated fishbox. You could use the cooler for that ' but people may begin to complain about the fishy smell.

But Boating World will have to go fishing another time. Conditions in the Gulf Stream are too rough on the test day. And since the 2865's all about versatility, cruising makes sense as Plan B. That's what happens, with the Denali chewing up the water along the ICW from Port St. Lucie up to Vero Beach.

The test boat is powered by a 285-hp Volvo Penta KAD300 diesel with a Duoprop drive. That's an engine most anglers would give the thumbs-down, first because it's a sterndrive and second because it's a diesel. The sterndrive objection is understandable, given the way its engine hatch cuts into the cockpit space, compared to a transom-hanging outboard.

But if the boat's going to be used for watersports such as diving or skiing, the sterndrive makes sense, a diesel even more so ' despite the higher price tag. And even for fishermen, you just can't beat the diesel's numbers. At 600 rpm, a good trolling speed, the Boating World test boat with the diesel engine burns only 0.5 gallons per hour (gph), giving it 8.2 miles per gallon for a range of over 1,000 miles. Conversely, Pursuit says that the standard engine, a 375-hp, 8.1L Volvo Penta gas engine, burns 1.6 gph at 600 rpm. That adds 3.3 gph for a range of 440 miles. Obviously you won't be trolling at idle all the time, but you get an idea of long-term fuel savings. The gas engine does have an edge in performance ' it tops out at 45.1 mph ' and price. The diesel option adds another $20,000 to the base price.

But the diesel-powered engine isn't a slow boat to China, either. BW's radar gun shows that the diesel-powered Denali turns in a top end of 38.3 mph. It runs from 0 to 25 mph in 11.2 seconds, about a second slower than the gas engine. Sure, that's about 8 mph less than the gas engine's top end of 45.1, but comparing fuel flow at top end (15.2 gph for the diesel versus 31.6 gph for the gas) will reveal serious fuel savings ' which should be substantial if you're running at the low and high ends, as many fishermen do.' The 2865 is fun to drive, turning easily and cutting through wakes with no problem. The deep-V hull has 21 degrees of deadrise at the transom and is designed for coastal use, even blue water, delivering a soft, dry ride in rough conditions. The helm feels protected, and the wraparound windshield offers good visibility. Aft of the throttle, waterproof systems switches are identified with pictures (as opposed to toggle switches with words). The steering wheel, instead of stainless steel on most fishing boats, is wood grain. There's even an angled footrest. Again, comfort features you won't find on a center console or even a walkaround.

But the most impressive thing about this helm is the tilt-away panel that lets you get to wiring and electronics fast. Pursuit excels in the color-coding and matching of the tinned wiring. It's so well laid out and clearly visible that any owner can troubleshoot the problems quickly.

Pursuit also made only the lower half of the helm station (as opposed to the whole helm area) tilt-away, so it's less cumbersome if you have to open it up in a big swell. Down below, there's a second access point to the back of the helm through a panel in the head. Access to the working parts of this boat is strong, including a panel in the cabin floor that lets you get to the bilge. The cabin is functional but attractive ' pretty much what you'd expect from a fishing boat manufacturer.

A teak and holly sole, teak table (that lifts up and down on a gas spring) that drops into a V-berth, Norcold fridge, optional microwave, stainless-steel sink and Corian countertops all add up to a spartan but pleasant setup below. Headroom at its highest point is 70 inches. The head has a porcelain toilet (nice touch) with a macerator and holding tank. There's a freshwater system on board, though if you want hot water, the water heater is a $780 option. Overall, it's a good weekend cabin.

As with any boat, the devil is in the details. Pursuit's details add up to quality, including good access and working space around the motor, double-clamps on fuel lines, aluminum fuel tank, raw-water washdown, Bennett hydraulic trim tabs, 8-inch (as opposed to 6-inch) 316L stainless-steel cleats, and wide foredeck walkways (it feels safe to be handling lines up on the bow). This last item may seem trivial until you get into a blinding rainstorm.

Fit and finish on the 2865 is strong, though whoever installed the electronics on the test boat didn't bother to clean up the shavings. But, overall, this 2865 is a solid boat with substance. It's clear that much thought went into its design, and function wins out over cosmetics ' though this version is a big improvement over the 2860, styling-wise.