SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATIONnaut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 5.9 6.8 3.9 1.5 1.7 422.7 486.5 1 69
1500 8.2 9.4 6.8 1.2 1.4 335.1 385.7 0 74
2000 9.7 11.2 12.0 0.8 0.9 226.3 260.4 3 76
2500 13.1 15.1 19.4 0.7 0.8 188.7 217.2 4 82
3000 24.2 27.8 22.4 1.1 1.2 300.9 346.3 5 86
3500 31.3 36.0 27.2 1.2 1.3 320.9 369.3 3 88
4000 37.1 42.7 44.8 0.8 1.0 231.1 265.9 2 91
4500 41.6 47.9 44.8 0.9 1.1 259.2 298.3 1 91
5000 45.9 52.8 56.7 0.8 0.9 225.8 259.8 0 95
5500 51.0 58.7 69.0 0.7 0.9 206.3 237.4 0 97
5900 54.4 62.6 80.7 0.7 0.8 188.1 216.4 0 98
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEEDHigh Points
XGarmin fi sheye bow camera,
operated from the touchscreen
dash, is a great new feature that
makes anchoring easier and even
bow-high, low-planing speed-
running safer.
XConsole and helm station have
innovative features such as air
conditioning, heated seats, a rear
seat back that forms a cooking
table, a touchscreen dash with
push-button fail-safe backups, and
highly engineered door seals and
hardware to ensure long life.Specs
· LOA: 34'11" · BEAM: 10'9" · DRY
WEIGHT: 9,800 lb. (without engines)
· SEATING/WEIGHT CAPACITY: Yacht
Certifi ed · FUEL CAPACITY: 310 gal.How We Tested
ENGINES: Triple 300 hp Yamaha F300
outboards
DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/15" x 21"
3-blade stainless steel
GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1
FUEL LOAD: 115 gal.
CREW WEIGHT: 600 lb.
Price
$394,882 (base MSRP)SCOUT
355 LXF
to nearly 70 mph in the chopped-up and
wind-driven Charleston harbor, with-
out breathing hard. The double-stepped
22-degree deadrise V-hull never gave pause
or a hard thump, despite the thrasher-
size tug wakes we crossed at speed.
Hard-over turns produced a satisfying
carve with no surprises. The fi t and fi n-
ish of the vacuum-infused hull and deck
were also no surprise, a level of quality
that’s standard fare with Scout. Prospec-
tive owners know what they want, having
owned many boats — and usually a few
Scouts — before perusing boats like the- With that in mind, it’s good to expect
that the surprises are pleasant ones and
come in the form of new innovations and
refi ned amenities.
It’s clear that Scout focuses on above-the-
cut luxury as staples, and this 355 LXF is
no exception.
Scout brass redesigned the 350 LXF
from the stringers up to accommodate the
much-demanded Seakeeper gyrostabi-
lizer. The new stringer grid, transom and
inner liner join with a redesigned console
and leaning post. A repositioned fuel tank
and batteries maintain balance. The result
is assured comfort in rough water.
Anglers and divers will love the robust
portside boarding door with built-in lad-
der. Astern, the triple outboards are rigged
with typical Scout precision and detail
(translation: no loose anything any where,
and clean rigging means easy access and
service). Scout upgraded the electrical
systems; our tester ran the entire day on
12-volt DC power thanks to the added
triple AGM batteries. Solar panels in-
corporated into the T-top help keep the
system purring even when amperage drawis high. With all the accessories running,
it’s great to know you won’t run out of juice
before getting back on shore power.
The wider console accommodates
three across at the helm. Down under,
there’s room and amenities for a couple to
overnight — and remember, it’s a center
console, not an express cruiser. Notably,
with everything running, it’s super-quiet;
the well-designed door and hatch seals
ensure that. Astern, there’s enough room
for everyone to fi ght fi sh without stepping
on each other. The bow section accommo-
dates sun-seekers with a forward body-
contoured lounger and cocktail area with
retractable table.
Triple outboards powered the 355PHOTOS: COURTESY SCOUT BOATSSCOUT BOATS
Summerville, South Carolina; 843-821-0068; scoutboats.comC
FISHING BOAT BUYERS GUIDE
CERTIFIED
TEST
RESULTS
BOAT BUYERS GUIDE 2018 | 130 | BOATINGMAG.COM