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Scout 355 LXF: 2019 Boat Buyers Guide

The 355 LXF blends fishability with family-friendly comforts.
Scout 355 LXF
LOA: 34’11” | Beam: 10’9″ | Fuel Capacity: 310 gal. | Dry Weight: 9,800 lb. plus power | Max HP: 1,050 | Certifications: NMMA Courtesy Scout

Scout, building boats since 1989, continues to succeed today on innovative engineering.

The company pioneered reverse-shoebox hull/deck design, which increases overall hull strength and prevents water from penetrating through the hull/deck joint in rough conditions.

Today, Scout makes bay, dual-console, center-console and luxury center-console sport-fishing boats, all with 100 percent hand-laid fiberglass, including completely finished bilges, and door, lid and hatch undersides.

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Scout’s gas-saving hulls, with the best strength-to-weight ratios in their class, include the NuV3 hull, a convex design comprising varying-degree deadrise angles for fuel efficiency and soft ride; Air Assist, which adds longitudinal buoyancy for quicker time to plane, better handling and boosted fuel economy; and Scout stepped hull, which reduces the hull’s wetted surface for faster, dryer and better-­performing boating — requiring less ­horsepower and less fuel.

All Scouts have 10-year-limited hull and three-year-limited stem-to-stern warranties.

Scout 355 LXF step hull
The step hull gives more smiles ­— and miles — per gallon, which translates to greater fishing range. Courtesy Scout

Scout 355 LXF
The 355 LXF is a luxury center-console fishing boat built on Scout’s rugged dual stepped-hull technology, strengthened further by epoxy infusion.

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On deck, standard, are three independent (and independently) heated helm seats — beneath a standard T-top and Scout’s patented glass enclosure — and a patented, forward-facing fish-eye bow camera. Called an anchor camera, it feeds the helm’s multifunction touchscreen displays.

Beyond a transom ­55-gallon livewell and 60-gallon fish box are twin floor fish boxes. Ten flush-mount gunwale rod holders exceed the minimums of more than 70 percent of survey respondents.

There’s plenty of fishing room — even for double and triple hookups. Up front, the bow urges relaxation with a lounge with retractable table.

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The cabin’s forward dinette becomes a double berth, cabinets, refrigerator and full head, with 6-foot-1-inch clearance.

The deck was designed to accommodate an optional Seakeeper 3DC gyro stabilizer, increasingly popular on offshore boats, beneath the aft-facing bench seat. Optional solar panels within the T-top trickle-feed batteries when Seakeeper is ordered.

Add outriggers, underwater LED lights, and a 3-horsepower bow thruster. Optional cushion packages bring another level of sophisticated comfort.

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Survey Says: On Target

  • Rod holders meet or exceed expectations
  • Livewell spacious enough for large baits

Owners Say

  • Fishability with family-friendly comforts
  • Reliable
  • Great for fishing and touring
  • Plenty of room to fish, but also plenty of room for relaxing and socializing

Scout Says

  • Best strength-to-weight ratio in its class
  • Leading industry innovator since 1989
  • Luxurious appointments

More Info: scoutboats.com

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