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Random Quote: Naw, its okay,,, its always made that sound.
I sure liked the looks of the 242. The cabin has a nice layout with a "side entry" of sorts that provides lots of room. Nice sleeping cushion area, a separate area for the head, a small sink, some lighting and stereo controls. Much of it is finished with teak. There are also 3 cabin windows - the top "fliptop" and 2 side ovals.
The cockpit area has lots of room. The seating is spread out, so it is easy to get in and out of the cabin hatch. The dash has a nice layout and plenty of space for flush-mounted gadgets. Steering is positioned nicely – your arms and hands won’t be banging against the sides of the dash like in a smaller WA. There’s flip-down footrests, cup holders, remote stereo access for volume / stations, Lemco trim-tab switches, and a nice switch panel setup with easy to read and access switches. One more thing about the “facilities” while we are still in the front of the boat – they are of the pumping kind – not a port-o-potty that you have to manually take out of the cabin.
There is nice seating that backs to the 2 captain’s chairs. The seating and backs are cushioned. There are nice stainless locking drawers and hatches under the captain’s chairs, too. You can get a hard top or a bimini setup. I think the hard top is the way to go. I’m sure you have seen many photos of the rear of the boat – the Scout 235 and 242 are identical with a nice washdown / bait station and ample transom seating (there is a breakaway flap on the transom that flips up for seating or down for motor tilt and towing. Baitwells are big, lit, deep, aerated and circulating. Lots of hatches, shelves, drawers and trays for your tools and gadgets, too. I would power her with a 225 or 250 HPDI. That will push you WOT in the high 40’s / low 50’s.
The 2003 242 with hard top was priced in the high $50’s (the one in the photo sold for $56K). The 2004 242 will be about the same, only with the bimini top option. Add another $4K to $5K for the hard top on the 2004.
We can argue the merits of the Scout 242 all night but the one issue I can't get around is the access to the forward deck to fish or tend bow lines or beach the boat--there ain't any. I would go with a true walkaround like the Pursuit 2470WA and never look back.
I've seen the boat here at the local dealer in Raleigh, NC. Nice fit and finish, and a fish friendly cockpit. However, it just seems to be a lot smaller in feel and appearance than some others in its class, ie..Robalo, EdgeH2O 225 Express, Triton 2486...the list goes on. Good luck walking to the front with a fish on as well. Good to have tight rope circus experience for this task ;-)..
wierd looking little transom? with it's own little rub rail?....i mean look right below the
Scout logo...
why would they design something like this?
is it suppose to be fancy looking?
nat, somebody can correct me if I am wrong but the rear platform is actually built integral to the transom and stringer system to increase strength. I think Scout was just finishing off the structure by adding a small rub rail since the platform is fiberglass and it sticks out a little so it needs some protection. I would say that is the neatest design feature of the boat (IMO anyway).
There's a few others. Key West has a WA in the 23 range, as does Sea Pro, Century, and a few others. If it were me (if I had 2000 Forum Visitiors sign up for my Captain's Club ), I would get very serious about the Pursuit or the Grady - Pursuit taking priority.
quote:Originally posted by flyal:
...Good luck walking to the front with a fish on as well. Good to have tight rope circus experience for this task ;-)..
Just trying to recall the last time I walked a sailfish, tuna, dolphin, or king mackerel to the front of a walk around....nope. Can't remember. I've fished on a charter out of Hatteras that had five of us hooked up at one time to nice sized (20-30 pound) kings and not one of us had to run around the boat like a circus event.
Also had doubles of nice dolphin in Costa Rica, 550 pound man in the blue suit, and big pacific sailfish and never once did we have to manuever around the bow of the boat.
If you handle the boat, you don't have to run to the bow every time you hook up...
You might also look at the SeaSwirl Stripers. They have a 23', a 26' and a new 29'er. Trailer Boats was very impressed with the 26' one in a test they did a little while ago. They are true walk-arounds and SeaSwirls seem to be getting a little better press in our forum lately.
I have a little over 50 hours on my 242, with the 4 Stroke Yamaha 225. After the initial bugs were taken care of at the 10 hour check, it has performed flawlessly. I have it loaded with electronincs (all flush-mounted), and it always attracts a crowd at the ramp.
I have had it out the Golden Gate on calm days and on days that I shouldn't have been out there. I have never felt insecure about the boats ability to get me back to the ramp. I have fishing buddies that have Stripers, Grady's, and a Shamrock and all of them have been impressed with the ride, fit and finish (now I'm the one that has to supply the boat!).
I feel that it is the perfect fishing and family boat. I have fished with 2 to 4 of us and I have spent the day cruising around with my family of six. Either way we were all comfortable. The tackle center cannot be matched by any other brand. The level floor is great for the kids and when we're in the rough stuff while fishing (nothing to trip over). The cabin is easy to get in to and roomy for a fishing boat of this size. The head is easy to get at. I like the fact that it is always ready to use. You don't have to lift up half the v-berth to get to it, and it isn't in a tiny closet that you have to squeeze in to.
Before the windlass was installed, I had to walk up to the bow to drop/retrieve the anchor.
The piping for the hardtop makes a terrific hand-hold, and in addition, I added three foot long handrails on top of the hardtop. I have gone forward numerous times in both calm and rough seas. I haven't fallen overboard yet. I would rather have the room in the cockpit between the pilot and the passenger seat than to have a wider walkaround (as in the Grady 228). I spend a lot more time at the wheel and in the cockpit than I do walking out to the bow.
I've been around long enough to know that there is no one perfect boat for everybody, especially for dual-purpose. The Scout is my 17th boat. They all have their positives and their negatives. For my immediate needs, the Scout was my choice. In 3-5 years, I will be in the market again (for a fishing boat). Some of my kids will be out of the house, and who knows what other changes will have taken place. One thing is for sure. I will check out the Scout's first, then see what else is out there.
What about the aluminum windshield trim? Looks right in the line of sight. I currently have a problem with this on the hydrasport.
How about swimming/diving? Is there room on the transom for this, dive ladder?
I'm not so concerned about walking to the bow, it's basically what I've been doing on the HS for 2 years now. Nice to know of the windlass feature.
I could live with the single engine no problem.
Sure looks nice on that trailer. I don't care for the pastel colors though. It's also light enough to pull around the Keys.
gee.... if I got this as a base boat I'd have to have all the THT'ers rig it up. Tabman, dangerdan, and all the other electronic and customizer guys here.
Still in think mode. Cabin of any size is nice if anything for lockable storage and dodging the sudden thunderstorms here.
Scout 242 Abaco 
, ask you never know...!
Not another Scout!!! 
