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I am interested in purchasing a Sout 242 Abaco does anybody have any pro's or con's on the vessel? I have shopped Hydra sport 230WA, Robalo 235WA, Triton 2486WA, Wellcraft 24WA. I have heard a few negatives about Robalo's quality. The Hydra sport 230 had no storage space or comfortable seating. The Triton lacks comfortable transom seating but otherwise a beautiful heavy rig. Any comments would be helpful.
dont buy the smaller 242abaco , as you will be disatisfied with the layout and single motor. compared to the sister ship the 280 abaco the 242 is just a toy. I have a almost new abaco for sale with twin 200 hpdi's and extended warranties that you could buy for similar price to new loaded 242abaco , which would get you offshore in better style and have more room to fish , lounge and cruise. Just my 2 cents weather you buy mine or not , the 242 is a tad expensive for the size (upper 60's ? is crazy ). thanks mike.
Where do you live? I know of a pretty good deal on a left over 2003. It has the hard top and fighting lady yellow hull, tabs and other options. I have been keeping my eyes peeled for a trailerable boat incase my family decides we will be spending more time at the beach over the summer or in NJ dealing with an ill family member. (I would like to be able to take the boat back and forth from the bay to the ocean easily...we are still up in the air though......And you Scout guys didnt think I was serious earlier this winter.)
You may want to also consider the Edgewater 225ex and Pursuit 2470. Both have nice seating for cruising w/out compromising the fishing aspect. They are also well built boats.
I have a 2003 242 I now have 70 hrs on it .Its been a great boat so far I have been 60 + miles offshore a couple of times And the boat handled really well I shoped all the other models also and the scout sold itself.
Triton 2486 W/A...
As you described it, "Beautiful, heavy rig". This offshore rig weighs in at 4450#. I am not aware of one negative comment about this boat. Look at the standard equipment: trim tabs, toe rails, cockpit bolsters, 3 bilge pumps, mil. spec switches, dyna plate, 3 bilge pumps, and molded fiberglass interior. This is one tough customer. Perhaps you could get a bean bag for the stern or have a folding chair made.
Hydrasport 230 W/A...
Another boat with a reputation for building tough, ocean tested boats. Weighs a respectable 3365#. A popular model at THT, and again, don't believe there has been a complaint on any Hydra-Sport. "Wet-N-Wiley" has a 28 W/A Hydra-Sport for sale at "Trading Dock"
Scout Abaco...
Popular boat, but in different class than above. Abaco is built off the "235" CC hull which is really 22 feet long, if you deduct the motor mount. Perhaps the length helps explain a very lightweight weigh-in at 2800#, very handy if you need to tow w/family sedan. Typical of all small express boats, access to bow is difficult, and fishability is worse (your other choices were all walkarounds). Recent complaints on Abaco include, weak decks (from factory), livewells and sinks that drain into bilge (very unsafe at sea), water back-draining onto deck from scuppers (choosing a lightweight motor seems to help this), spiderweb gelcoat cracks, and working deck hardware not thru-bolted w/backing plates.
If you have your heart set on an express boat and are willing to pay the price of a Scout, why not look at Grady White's express, or several W/A models?
I see you're a new member here so I will give you a good piece of advice. You can disregard anything fishfactory has to say about any boat here on THT. Most members already know he likes to be somewhat less than truthful. I've actually had a few members email me to say that fishfactory is a former Scout employee who was fired due to poor work performance. I would say he was most likely fired for his untruthful ways, but that's what I was told. Wait to hear from actual Abaco owners if you want the real scoop on that boat.
The above information was gleaned directly from owners who chose to admit that their Scouts had substantial problems, and posted such on THT. The second source for info I use is the builder's own websites. I stand behind and, challenge anyone to dis-prove any of the above remarks I made. Perhaps some of the THTers would like to argue w/David Pascoe about Scout's construction practices, or is he, also, a disgruntled Scout employee?
Can you name another boat builder that offers scupper plugs?
B Faithful- What's the deal on that Abaco? I'm mildly interested in one. I live in Chesapeake Beach area. Is it at that Easton Dealer (can't think of their name)?
BTW, fishfactory's comments are no BS. I know that his comments are taken from owners and independent sources. It is some of the scout owners on this forum who are full of Sh*t.
I have made the decision to buy a Scout 280 Scout Center Console as the fit and finish, quality of hardware and layout of boat is nice, I have owned 23 boats and kind of have a idea of a nice boat or not. I am by no means a expert but I have been around boats. I own a Ford dealership and being around cars all my life they are not my thing but boats are and I spend a lot of time researching. I have owned Whalers, Makos, a Hatteras and everything in between, they all have good and bad points. You can pick apart any boat as they all are a hole in the water but we enjoy them.
Thanks
Flieman
Scout Abaco...
Popular boat, but in different class than above. Abaco is built off the "235" CC hull which is really 22 feet long, if you deduct the motor mount. Perhaps the length helps explain a very lightweight weigh-in at 2800#, very handy if you need to tow w/family sedan. Typical of all small express boats, access to bow is difficult, and fishability is worse (your other choices were all walkarounds). Recent complaints on Abaco include, weak decks (from factory), livewells and sinks that drain into bilge (very unsafe at sea), water back-draining onto deck from scuppers (choosing a lightweight motor seems to help this), spiderweb gelcoat cracks, and working deck hardware not thru-bolted w/backing plates.
If you have your heart set on an express boat and are willing to pay the price of a Scout, why not look at Grady White's express, or several W/A models?
Ok, if you want me to make you even look like more of an ass I will.
First, the 242 measures 22'10" at waterline and 23"5" with integrated motor mount. That's the first lie you told.
Second, weak decks? Just what in hell is that? Oh, a couple of people commented on a little flex in a certain section of the all-composite deck. Watch your step all, I guess we will all be falling through into the bilge area. More crap.
Livewell and sinks that drain into the bilge? If you would take the time to look at the Scout design, you would see this is impossible. The cap fits flush against the baitwell. One Scout owner commented he had water coming into the bilge and the dealer suspected there was a problem with the livewell plumbing. Ok, a loose hose coming from the thru-hull pump may be the cause although this was never confirmed. This is an ez fix by the dealer. More crap out of your piehole.
Gelcoat cracks? Yup, I even have one on my 6 year old Scout. I guess Scouts are the only ones that get them. Even more crap.
Scuppers? Yup, put four grown men in the back of my boat and the scuppers go below the waterline. I guess all the ball-type scuppers sold on the market are exclusively made for Scout. Yup, you guessed it, more crap.
No backing plates? Oh, I guess you didn't realize that Scout molds their backing plates into the gelcoat and fiberglass so they don't corrode or rust. Anyone with any kind of boating knowledge would see this if they took a look for themselves. And again, more crap.
As you can see, your statements are crap. And statements are a reflection of the poster. Make your own assumptions dude. I would really love to know why you have such a hard-on for putting down Scouts. Did they not give you a severance package when you got fired? Really fishfactory, why must you post so many lies?
If I could justify the cost of a 242 Abaco Scout, I would buy one in a second (I*actually got loan approval on one, but could'nt pull the trigger). I love it's layout for fishing and cruising. It also legal for trailoring on the road. All the articles I've ever read were always pro.
The 280 Abaco (another beautiful boat!!) would be*even nicer, but even more expensive,not legal on the road without permits, and heavier than I feel comfortable trailoring any distance.*I like to bring my boat home to look and work on.******
*Anyway I think looking around for a new boat is almost as much fun as buying one, so have fun. Good luck!!!**
__________________ Sea Pro DC180 With Suzuki DF140
Grady White 228G With Suzuki DF250
Your looking at some good quality rigs. I am not that familiar with the Hydrasport nor Wellcraft so would not offer comments. Both the Triton and the Robalo from a weight perspective are about the same 4800-4900 lbs while the scout is about 2900lbs. There are many opinions on weight and quality of ride, but this is in the eye of the operator. The Triton is a well thought out plan with excellent fit and finish. The Scout also is well laid out but my recent looks at them at the local boat show found demo boat to have poorly finished hull, this may have been just this boat, so maybe not a fair comment. There are many strong positive and negative opinions on this site about Socut. I have not test riden either of these boats but from a price perspective both will price out about the same. Robalo is now made by the Chaparel folks and their past quality history has been turned around. I have recently purchased the R235 and found quality and ride to be excellent. Also I was recently told by my dealer that the R235 has been sold out for 2004 with no more building slots available so the demand is clearly there. You would find the comparably equiped Robalo priced about 10K less than the Triton or Albaco.
Regardless of anyones opinion I would short list to 2-3 boats and do extensive test rides. This is the only way to really make the right decision. Good luck!!
seabass,
I second your opinion about Fish Factory, I think most others in this forum have also figured him out. BTW the argument that a boat has to be heavy to be a sea-worthy boat is absolutely ridiculous.
Flieman- Congrats on choosing the Scout 280 Sportfisher that is one sweet boat....
I have a 235 scout it is based on the 242 hull with a different cap for the center console design. I would have to agree with Seabass the sink & livewell drain overboard not into the bilge as do all other storage & fishboxes with the exception on the built in cooler that drains ito the bilge. This boat will run circles around the other boats in its class getting about 4 mpg at cruise & top gps speed around 52 mph. My biggest grip is the way to large of a fuel tank it could have a tank half as big & be more than enough fuel. The scuppers on my boat dont allow any water to come in but they drain slow when I clean the boat. Scout needs to upgrade the livewell pumps like most manufactures. Although this is a CC I think it is as good as any in its class & a whole lot better than the others that I have been in, that were stated about in this thread. The 235 Scout's ride is great dry & soft all that have been out with me on this boat are amazed at how nice this boat rides & handles. Test ride the boats you like best then make your choice.
I would choose the Pursuit 2470 over the Scout 242 Abaco hands down. The Pursuit is bigger, offers more power choices including twins and is much more fishable. The build quality is top notch. Just my opinion.
Thanks, but it is a shame someone has to sort thru the lies fishfactory posts. Everytime someone asks about a Scout he pops up with BS.
jpv,
I own a Scout 202SF and have not had any of the problems posted by fishfactory. Take a close look at each of the boats on your short list and above all ride on each before buying.
Scout 242 Abaco 2003 
