Courtesy Scout Boats
Luxury sport-fishing specialists, Scout builds center-console, dual-console and inshore/bay-boat models ranging from 17 to 67 feet. Since its founding more than three decades ago, the company’s goal has been to manufacture the best-built boats in its distinctive sport-fishing niches.Â
Each Scout hull design is an original, the result of the company’s in-house research-and-design team working closely with its engineering staff to take concepts from blueprint to production efficiently, earning a world-class reputation for quality, strength, durability and value.Â
Within the line, Scouts from 33 to 35 feet are built on the company’s epoxy-infused, double-stepped fuel-efficient hull. That technique provides a Class-A finish, with more hull stability while reducing the overall weight, countering the long-held belief that a larger boat must be heavy to perform.Â
Courtesy Scout Boats
Scout 357 LXF
The new Scout 357 LXF S-Class is the latest in a nine-boat LXF line of luxury sport-fish models combining high-performance fish boats and high-end cruisers. Amenity-packed, it reaches a top speed of 72.2 mph ahead of triple Mercury 400 hp Verados.
The 357 LXF, which will replace the Scout 355 LXF, is part of Scout’s S-Class category, upper-echelon luxury models 33 feet and up. Standards include triple captain’s helm chairs featuring integrated heat and flip-up bolsters, and an electrically actuated bow table/sun lounge rising from an Esthec deck. The bow contains an anchor camera, and an aft-facing bench seat converts into a raised prep table. The inner console berth includes a marine head. Luxurious Grigio bow cushion upholstery is available along with other color options.
Fishing features include 10Â gunwale-mounted stainless-steel rod holders, a 60-Âgallon transom fish/storage box, port and starboard 43-gallon in-floor fish boxes, and a 47-gallon cockpit baitwell. Among fishing options are retractable hardtop rocket launchers, electric reel plugs, underwater lights and hardtop-mounted outriggers.Â
Other options include a Seakeeper 3, a hardtop solar panel that trickle-feeds batteries, an additional charger and batteries, an electrically activated fiberglass cockpit sunshade and air conditioning.
Editor’s TipÂ
The new Scout 357 LXF S-Class offers outstanding fuel efficiency for a boat of this size, thanks to its epoxy-infused double-stepped hull construction that minimizes weight while maintaining high strength and superb durability, as well as a flawless finish. -Jim Hendricks, Staff Editor, Boating and Fishing Group
Performance Data
Test Power: Triple Mercury 400 Verado V-10s
Test Props: Revolution X SS (27P)
Test Load: 3 people, 160 gal. fuel, batteries, test and safety equipment (24,020 lb. total)
Test Speed: 43.7 mph at 4,000 rpm
Max Range: 330 mi.
Specifications
LOA:35’3″Beam:10’9″Fuel Capacity:319 gal.Dry Weight:10,120 lb.Max HP:1,200Certifications:NMMAPowered By:Yamaha
Scout Boats – Summerville, South Carolina; scoutboats.com
The post Scout 357 LXF: 2024 Boat Buyers Guide appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.