Opinion of Scout Boats (thinking of purchasing)

[mwo1]

I'm interested in buying a 2004 Scout 235 SF. I have consistently read comments on THT re: rotting foam, water logged, scupper plugs, etc. Trying to discern fact from fiction. Can anybody offer some good advice as to the quality of scout boats.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[fourdfish]

So then how are you going to separate out the truth given all the comments here?

[mwo1]

The context of the comments leads me to believe that they were emotional outbursts and not necessarily grounded in fact. Looking for some real world experiences.

[timp]

I looked real hard at Scout but did not buy one, still in the top ten of brands I like (wish I could afford the new 26 or 28). Scout builds a quality boat, all brands have somebody somewhere that does not like them,but you have to buy what suits YOUR needs and wants. Scout is not a Yellowfin,Contender,Regulator,Venture, or Sea Vee but thy're not a Bayliner,Triumph,or Sea Fox either, just a GOOD boat for a desent price.

[dmarcian]

I had a Scout 235 with a single f225. The 235 has a great hull,imo. It offers a very soft dry ride and excellent performance numbers. You need to assess your needs and priorities. Some do not like the forward seating of the 235 because of the raised deck. I did like the raised deck. Scout makes a very good boat and has very good customer service. I upgraded to the scout 260 with twin f150's because I wanted twins and a larger boat for family boating. For just my fishing needs I would still have the 235. Good luck with your decision. by the way I have not had any problems with either of my scouts.

[ABoater]

Opinions here are like azzholes, everyones got one...

As the other (much used) statement here on THT goes, get "opinions" from actual OWNERS, not from trolls, bashers, wanna-be-owners (but couldn't afford them, so they knock the brand in a feeble attempt to keep others from getting one) and so on.

Do like I did. I looked at many brands in the category of the Scout (whatever you want to call it) Upper tier, mid tier or what I prefer, NO tier. Just a good quality boat and at a fair price (especially after negotiating). No "budget brands" for me this time. I wanted a quality boat with a good reputation and from a dealer that would stand behind his product and service both before and after the sale.

I found all of that in the Scout 242 Abaco with the Yamaha 225F and purchased it directly from the owner of Monterey Bay Marine in Santa Cruz, CA.

The 242 has the same hull as the 235. Fit and finish were excellent. The ride even better. It took some getting used to with their "air assist" hull, but after a few trips out into the Pacific Ocean, I had the trim tab usage down pat. Very stable while trolling and I can easily keep up with the bigger/heavier boats in the rough stuff w/o knocking all of my teeth out. Fuel economy is terrific. Avg's about 6-8 GPH, all around use.

Other than a few minor knick knacks, (which were all taken care of by Scout) the boat is flawless. The tackle center is not matched by any other boat/brand. That and the one-level deck from front to back were big buying points for me (nothing to trip over while fighting fish). Sure, there is no "perfect boat", but for me and my given uses for it, it is "perfect" for me (and this is my 18th boat, so I've been around the pond once or twice).

There are plenty of 235 owners here that I'm sure will respond shortly with further comments which are particular to your model. Just remember to sift through the BS and ask plenty of questions of the owners here. They'll give you the real scoop.

Folks who spend their money on a Scout walk the talk...The rest just talk the BS.

Good luck!

[Will]

I have a 172 and 235. The 172 is a '92 and besides a couple of gelcoat voids, it has been a great little boat. The 235 is a '02 which I've only had for a couple of weeks and so far, so good. I wouldn't call it a hard-core fishing machine, but an all-around family/fishing boat. My wife loves the forward seating and storage, and the rear bench seat. I love the tackle station! The fit/finish on boat boats is very good.

-Will

[Lacey]

I have a 202 Dorado. This has been an outstanding hull for myself and the kids. The quality, fit and finish, ride all exceeded my expectations. The Yamaha has been another story, but the boat and company are first rate.

[Stretch]

These are the design features of the Scout 235 that I don't like. Whether they matter to you is all personal opinion.

1. Many 22-23 footers have a raised casting platform in the bow but only the Scout has one that is split into two levels. Personally, I don't care for the stairstep casting platform.

2. The fuzzy cloth lining in the console head compartment seems cheap to me.

3. The dash. The trend nowadays is toward large GPS chartplotter units with 10-inch displays but with the Scout, there is that compass mounted smack dab in the center of the install panel. I also don't like the four large and two small gauge cutouts--with any modern gauge package that I know of, several of those cutouts will be blank.

4. I don't like the weight of the livewell all the way to one side of the boat in the starboard gunwale. The aft gunwale height is also quite low for a 22-23 footer.

[fish factory]

Do a search, plenty of info.

for starters:

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/t...115011&posts=7

[gf]

Gburns from this web site has a nice one for sale in MA:

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/t....asp?tid=76925

[Wolakrab]

I have a 2001 Abaco 280, and have found it to be a good boat. Fit and finish is above-average, and the boat has held up well. The scuppers are not the best design with the rubber flapper valves, and if they are missing you will have some water in the cockpit. But it is an easy fix, and Scout sent me some extra valves and the problem is solved. I think you will find that most Scout owners are happy with their boats, and the factory support is as good or better than most manufacturers.

[dropthatpuck]

I've had my 185SF since '00 and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I've probably taken it out a few times in conditions I shouldn't have and it's performed flawlessly.

Like dmarcian, I'll be in something in the 26' class next season. I'm planning on Scout at the moment, but won't rule out some of the others mentioned. I won't look at the Contender or Regulator (either of which I would love to have) simply because they are not as family-friendly and are truly hard-core fishing boats - right now, I need something more geared towards taking a boatload of kids on a short cruise, than fishing-only for me and the guys. I hate being unselfish


Anyway, my experience with Scout has been positive. The scuppers have been a little bit of a nuisance when a couple of guys are at the back of the rig drinking beer working downriggers and some water comes in, but it's never struck me as anything significant to deal with in a boat that can't sink.

[FireFly]

Speaking only from my own experiences I have no problem giving a thumbs up on the scout line. They are built well and the fit and finish is above average, probably well above average when comparing it to other boats in the same price range.

I purchased a new 242 Abaco with F225 this spring and it has surpassed my expectations in every respect. With Scout the only trade off I can see is the lighter hull. On the plus side it gives much better fuel economy and on the negative side it probably rides a bit less desireable in the nasty chop when compared to a heavier hull. But it does provide a pound free ride and 99% of the time it's a dry ride. Throw in 25 knot winds and quartering seas and you'll see some spray no matter which boat you are riding in. Friday we did a 200 mile round trip day on the water and we were never outmatched by the conditions.

Scout does a good job with quality of materials and the electrical system is easy enough to understand so you can do your own rigging.

[Bruce W]

I have a "175 Sportfish" bought new in 2001.

The boat has held up GREAT, and the fit and finish is EXCELLENT - quality stuff throughout! I fish 99% in pretty salty water, but haven't seen ANY rust on the hardware or elseware. I do a pretty good job of keeping it washed and ironed, though! The vinyl Scout uses is also excellent quality and doesn't require much care.

Had to replace the bilge pump about 3 years ago, but everything else still works fine.

I don't press my luck on the 15kt.+ "Noreasters" much, but it's only a 17ft.5in. boat - I HAVE had a few times when the boat and I "bonded" VERY closley, and have NEVER felt unsafe when the seas got nasty. I fish alone most all of the time, so safety WAS an issue when I bought!

The only thing I have a problem with is that Scouts have gotten VERY expensive in the past 2-3 years, and if I was looking to move up to a larger boat, I'd probably have to look at another brand, like Sea Hunt.

I'd give 'em (Scout) an "8" out of "10"!

Regards,

[TJsPLACE21]

HOW IS THE PRICE COMPARED TO THE REST IN IT'S CLASS

[rotordriver]

.

[ABoater]

TJsPLACE21 - 9/14/2006 5:34 PM

HOW IS THE PRICE COMPARED TO THE REST IN IT'S CLASS

I negotiated a great price on my 242, was happy with the deal, so I bought it.

What the others charge for their product is of no concern to me. I was buying a Scout, not something else. The Scout fit my needs perfectly.

Sure, I compared pricing, but for exactly the same equipped boat (Scout), just at another dealership.

Any other type of price comparison and you're just jacking yourself (and the salesperson) off.

Apples to apples...

[fish factory]

TJsPLACE21 - 9/14/2006 4:34 PM HOW IS THE PRICE COMPARED TO THE REST IN IT'S CLASS

Compared to other boats built the same way as Scout, and allowing for Scout's "new math" way of measuring a boat length, Scout is a very expensive boat.

Compare to Sea Hunt, Sea Pro, or the Hydra Sport non Vector line. Sailfish Boats would be a notch above Scout, and still competitively priced.

[littletunny]

TJsPLACE21 - 9/14/2006 6:34 PM

HOW IS THE PRICE COMPARED TO THE REST IN IT'S CLASS

I think the price is a little high. Correct me if I am wrong but I don't think Scout has been building center consoles over 21 feet for that many years.