Boating USA — February 2018

PHOTO: COURTESY SCOUT BOATS

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68 | BOATINGMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2018

AVAILABLE POWER:

OUTBOARD

At each and every test of a

Scout boat, the attention to

detail, the quality and the

level of innovation in each

new model just get better.

No baloney, and speaking

as someone who runs many

diff erent boats per year, this

company and the boats it

builds are just really good.

The 235 XSF proved not to

vary from that assessment.

This 235 XSF will be a

perfect fi t for those boat-

ers seeking a boat that

falls between tow-size

milestones. These folks

want more than 21 feet in

length for the additional

space and enhanced ride

quality yet need less than

25 feet for reasons pertain-

ing to tow vehicles, dockage

and economics. Our test-

er was rigged with big

power, Scout’s maximum

recommendation, in fact:

the Yamaha F300 V-6. The

SCOUT

235 XSF

SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION

rpm knots mph gph naut. mpg stat. mpg range range n. mi. s. mi. angle levelsound

1000 4.0 4.6 1.2 3.3 3.8 299.8 345.0 1 67

1500 5.8 6.7 2.1 2.8 3.2 249.5 287.1 2 74

2000 7.2 8.3 3.9 1.8 2.1 166.4 191.5 5 78

2500 9.8 11.3 5.7 1.7 2.0 155.0 178.4 6 80

3000 20.9 24.0 7.0 3.0 3.4 268.1 308.6 4 86

3500 26.4 30.4 8.5 3.1 3.6 279.7 321.9 3 86

4000 31.9 36.7 11.2 2.8 3.3 256.3 294.9 2 89

4500 36.1 41.5 16.2 2.2 2.6 200.3 230.6 1 90

5000 40.1 46.2 21.0 1.9 2.2 172.1 198.0 1 92

5500 44.4 51.1 26.1 1.7 2.0 153.1 176.2 1 94

5800 46.9 54.0 26.4 1.8 2.0 160.0 184.1 1 94

MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED

High Points

XCenter console is enclosed with con-

toured safety glass, surrounded by

engineered, sculpted T-top rails.

XStowaway forward seat backs prove

convenient and comfortable.

XAll-digital dash gives Scout pilots all

the information they can handle.

Low Points

XThree-step recessed boarding ladder on

transom platform is great, but we pre-

fer the four-step models found aboard

competitive craft.

Toughest Competitor

XGrady-White’s Fisherman 236 com-

pares closely in size, is rated for the

same power (300 hp), displaces a tad

more (3,900 pounds dry), and possess-

es more fuel capacity (115 gallons). Top

speed is a bit off (48 mph). At roughly

$135,000 similarly equipped, it com-

pares well with the Scout.

·LOA: 23'8"·BEAM: 8'6"·DRAFT (MAX): 19.5"

·DISPLACEMENT (MAX): 3,665 lb. (without engine; as

tested 4,705 lb.) · TRANSOM DEADRISE: 20 degrees

· FUEL CAPACITY: 100 gal.· MAX HORSEPOWER:

300 · AVAILABLE POWER:Single Yamaha or Mercury

250 or 300 hp

ENGINE: Yamaha F300UCA DRIVE/PROP:

Outboard/15^1 / 4 " x 18" 3-blade stainless steel

GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 CREW WEIGHT: 600 lb.

FUEL LOAD: 75 gal

Yammy provided a swift run

up to nearly 55 mph with

600 pounds of me and crew

plus 75 gallons of fuel. That

speed was attained turning

a Yamaha Saltwater Series

II propeller with 18 inches

of pitch. Conditions during

our test were reason-

ably calm for Charleston

Harbor, but we poured the

coals to the Yamaha, and the

Scout’s 3,655-pound dis-

placement and its deep-V

hull had no problem cleav-

ing through big

tug wakes and

mushing plea-

sure-boat chop;

it gave good

feedback and a

solid and smooth ride with

nice landings and no rat-

tles. Hard-carved turns and

switchbacks were also ex-

ecuted well, with the 235’s

power hydraulic steering

providing a fi rm touch

without torque feedback.

Fuel-consumption rates

were stingy for a big hull

with brute V-6 power; our

best cruise was found at a

strong pace, and 30 mph

and 3.6 mpg get you out and

back with no loafi ng.

The 235 features a new

30-inch transom height and

no engine splashwell for

maximum security in fol-

lowing seas. The thick motor

board is molded to a boatwide

swim/fi sh platform that uses

a forward-positioned seat

back to eff ectively block fol-

lowing seas and engine noise.

That stern seat features a

fold-up base to get it out of

the way for more cockpit

space. Amidships, the center

console is all Scout: Digital

console displays dominate

the dash, with a stainless

wheel and precise Yamaha

binnacle for sure control.

Lift any of the many hatches

and access doors, and inside

you’ll fi nd smooth gelcoat

fi nishes (no loose fi berglass

strands to pierce fi ngers),

fi nished edges and very clean

rigging. —John Tiger

See a photo gallery of the
Scout 235 XSF by visiting
boatingmag.com/3054.

SCOUT BOATS

Summerville, South Carolina; 843-821-0068;

scoutboats.com

Price: $108,619

(base with test power)

PHOTO: COURTESY SCOUT BOATS