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Author Topic:   Scout Boats....?? Opinions wanted.

Legobusier posted 07-06-2004 01:53 PM ET (US)
Hi all,
No, I'm not thinking of trading in my Montauk, but had somebody came by the other day in a fairly new Scout 17.5 Sportfish and wanted some opinions on it. Looks like a really nice, roomy, beamy boat. I don't really know the guy so didn't feel comfortable asking for a ride or anything.
The hull looks similar to the Whaler design. Interior layout is pretty typical center console.
Anyhow. What do you guys think of these boats? Are they any good? Again, I'm not looking for something new, but just trying to educate myself.
Thanks all.
Chris
mark11 posted 07-06-2004 02:04 PM ET (US)
Scout Boats are made in Charleston and have a reputation as a quality boat. The boats have nice layouts and the quality of finish is nice. They caim to be unsinkable but are not foam filled. The hull truth web site has a lot of scout owners on it you might try to post a question there for a better response. Mark
Florida15 posted 07-06-2004 02:19 PM ET (US)
I've fished on a 17' Scout. Seemed to be a really nice boat. If it weren't for Whalers, I would go with a Scout or a Key West in that size boat.
Bigshot posted 07-06-2004 02:30 PM ET (US)
Ditto...very nice rigs, especially the 23'. Some say they are "whaleresque" but oly in form. They have stringers and are not a sandwich hull. The only boat truly like a whaler is McKee and maybe Edgewater to an extent. If I was shopping for a NEW boat, Scout would probably win over Whaler just because of price.
Legobusier posted 07-06-2004 02:53 PM ET (US)
I was sort of thinking the same thing Bigshot. How 'spensive are they?
WHALERBOY 14 posted 07-06-2004 03:16 PM ET (US)
At the local scout dealer they had a 12' bay boat from scout and it was 11,000 dollars brand new. don't know any other prices.
Tightlines & Happy Whalin'
Bigshot posted 07-06-2004 04:04 PM ET (US)
If the Nantucket is $32k, a comperably equipped Scout would be about $5-6k cheaper.
tarbaby posted 07-06-2004 04:05 PM ET (US)
They use composites(no wood) in their construction. The hull stays in the mold until the deck has been bonded and foamed into place. Sound familiar? My neighbor across the street has one and he loves it. They build a nice unsinkable boat.
Shay
17 bodega posted 07-06-2004 04:08 PM ET (US)
I think Triumph is a competitor to whaler too, with it's unibond plastic foam hulls.
Knot at Work posted 07-06-2004 04:09 PM ET (US)
I was flushing my motor at the marina yesterday and a fellow had a Scout with a 115 Honda on the back. He stated he liked the boat but it was really heavy with an Amidship aft gas tank that helped weigh down the aft. I recommended he get trim tabs.. he said it took a while to get up on plane.
Pretty Boat. Nice and roomy and lots of freeboard.
JohnBT posted 07-07-2004 12:27 AM ET (US)
My neighbor and my brother in law both have 18' Scouts with 115 Yamaha 4S engines on them. I have spent a lot of time on these boats. They are comfortable, open and roomy, with smart and ample storage. They seem well-designed, overall (but see need for trim tabs below). The fit and finish is very good for the money, but in my opinion not as nice as a Whaler. My neighbor has had several minor finish type problems that I'd find pretty disappointing if it were my 3 yr. old boat (e.g, rubrail delaminating from the hull in a few spots; a few minor gelcoat flaws), but I don't know of any problems with my brother-in-law's boat.
On plane, they ride well - smooth in a chop (they don't "slap" like my '77 Montauk). Below plane, they're mighty wet compared to my Montauk. They don't get out of the hole very well and I think Knot at Work has it nailed: they would benefit greatly from trim tabs or a Doel-fin (or maybe just more horsepower).
For the record, both my neighbor and my brother-in-law are very happy boat owners - and if given a choice, my family prefers to ride in my neighbor's Scout over my Whaler -it's more comfortable for passengers (of course, it's nearly 2 feet longer as well, with a wider beam, so it's a much bigger boat). I still prefer my Whaler for its trailerability, versatility, handling, hole-shot, shallower draft and aesthetic qualities.
bc posted 07-12-2004 11:34 PM ET (US)
http://thehulltruth.net/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=31585&posts=24
This guy is really having a fit with his new Scout....
hooter posted 07-12-2004 11:56 PM ET (US)
Here's mah opinion of the Scout brand, and Ah've known and fished on a few. Unless you're penniless and therefore in the market for a cheap old Larson, you're best bet in this situation is to save your pennies until you've got about a million of 'em (thaz about ten grand), then go find you a classic Outrage 18'. That is the path to true happiness, given you has already been ruined from ever ownin' lesser brands by ownin' a Montauk. Keep the Montauk at least until then. Ah'm not kiddin' you, now:-!
Kelly posted 07-13-2004 07:36 AM ET (US)
I used to like the looks of the 17' scouts, but since the new Montauk 170 came out, I think I would buy it instead if I was looking for a new boat in that size.
Kelly
skategoat posted 07-13-2004 10:43 AM ET (US)
I own a 1998 Scout Dorado 155 - dual console fishing boat. There are tons of Scouts in my area due to the fact that a very popular marina sells them.
Very nicely laid out for fishing with decks on stern and bow. All components are super solid. Construction and quality control are first rate. The boat rides smoothly and easy easy to handle. My only complaint is that is a bit sluggish out of the hole but I think that might have to do with under-powering. I have a 50hp 4-stroke Mariner on it. It's rated for 80hp.
I'd like to find a 18-21 foot centre console and keep the Scout for the kids.
whaler131 posted 07-13-2004 07:38 PM ET (US)
ALL I CAN SAY " IT AINT NO WHALER"
Jay A posted 07-15-2004 12:17 AM ET (US)
I'm a Whaler owner for the past 34 years! But I keep my eyes open to all brands and Scout makes a nice craft! I also own a 21' Sea Pro W/A and yes it has a "sandwich foam filled hull"! Whaler is not the end all of boats! Sure they are durable and safe as far as floatation is concerned are right up there among the top of the line. But brands such as Scout and Sea Pro and most others can and do provide a choice of ride comfort,layout and function along with safety features that makes the industry competitive. Did I mention price? Well sad to say....Whaler demands the highest! Why? Because of the name! They bank on the uninformed consumers that wear "blinders" and don't really look into other manufacturers. A major reason why BW has a high re-sale price.....who can afford a new one and justify the cost?....That's if they have done their homework!
SCKelsea posted 07-19-2004 04:48 PM ET (US)
I just bought a 2004 17' Montauk. The Scout 18.5 was in the running. I have been on 17, 18 and 20 ft Scouts, and the Montauk compares well with the 18.5 but I would not put any other 17 up against the new Montauk hull. The Scout 18 might be a bit better in a chop, the with the extra length. The Scout 18 was about a grand cheaper with 115 4s compared to my Whaler w/ a 90 4s. The hull integrity is what won me over in the end. As in every boat, it depends on what you are going to do. Don't get me wrong, for the money I think a 17' Scout can be a fun boat. Just don't expect it to be a Whaler.

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Author	Topic: Scout Boats....?? Opinions wanted.
Legobusier	posted 07-06-2004 01:53 PM ET (US) Hi all, No, I'm not thinking of trading in my Montauk, but had somebody came by the other day in a fairly new Scout 17.5 Sportfish and wanted some opinions on it. Looks like a really nice, roomy, beamy boat. I don't really know the guy so didn't feel comfortable asking for a ride or anything. The hull looks similar to the Whaler design. Interior layout is pretty typical center console. Anyhow. What do you guys think of these boats? Are they any good? Again, I'm not looking for something new, but just trying to educate myself. Thanks all. Chris
mark11	posted 07-06-2004 02:04 PM ET (US) Scout Boats are made in Charleston and have a reputation as a quality boat. The boats have nice layouts and the quality of finish is nice. They caim to be unsinkable but are not foam filled. The hull truth web site has a lot of scout owners on it you might try to post a question there for a better response. Mark
Florida15	posted 07-06-2004 02:19 PM ET (US) I've fished on a 17' Scout. Seemed to be a really nice boat. If it weren't for Whalers, I would go with a Scout or a Key West in that size boat.
Bigshot	posted 07-06-2004 02:30 PM ET (US) Ditto...very nice rigs, especially the 23'. Some say they are "whaleresque" but oly in form. They have stringers and are not a sandwich hull. The only boat truly like a whaler is McKee and maybe Edgewater to an extent. If I was shopping for a NEW boat, Scout would probably win over Whaler just because of price.
Legobusier	posted 07-06-2004 02:53 PM ET (US) I was sort of thinking the same thing Bigshot. How 'spensive are they?
WHALERBOY 14	posted 07-06-2004 03:16 PM ET (US) At the local scout dealer they had a 12' bay boat from scout and it was 11,000 dollars brand new. don't know any other prices. Tightlines & Happy Whalin'
Bigshot	posted 07-06-2004 04:04 PM ET (US) If the Nantucket is $32k, a comperably equipped Scout would be about $5-6k cheaper.
tarbaby	posted 07-06-2004 04:05 PM ET (US) They use composites(no wood) in their construction. The hull stays in the mold until the deck has been bonded and foamed into place. Sound familiar? My neighbor across the street has one and he loves it. They build a nice unsinkable boat. Shay
17 bodega	posted 07-06-2004 04:08 PM ET (US) I think Triumph is a competitor to whaler too, with it's unibond plastic foam hulls.
Knot at Work	posted 07-06-2004 04:09 PM ET (US) I was flushing my motor at the marina yesterday and a fellow had a Scout with a 115 Honda on the back. He stated he liked the boat but it was really heavy with an Amidship aft gas tank that helped weigh down the aft. I recommended he get trim tabs.. he said it took a while to get up on plane. Pretty Boat. Nice and roomy and lots of freeboard.
JohnBT	posted 07-07-2004 12:27 AM ET (US) My neighbor and my brother in law both have 18' Scouts with 115 Yamaha 4S engines on them. I have spent a lot of time on these boats. They are comfortable, open and roomy, with smart and ample storage. They seem well-designed, overall (but see need for trim tabs below). The fit and finish is very good for the money, but in my opinion not as nice as a Whaler. My neighbor has had several minor finish type problems that I'd find pretty disappointing if it were my 3 yr. old boat (e.g, rubrail delaminating from the hull in a few spots; a few minor gelcoat flaws), but I don't know of any problems with my brother-in-law's boat. On plane, they ride well - smooth in a chop (they don't "slap" like my '77 Montauk). Below plane, they're mighty wet compared to my Montauk. They don't get out of the hole very well and I think Knot at Work has it nailed: they would benefit greatly from trim tabs or a Doel-fin (or maybe just more horsepower). For the record, both my neighbor and my brother-in-law are very happy boat owners - and if given a choice, my family prefers to ride in my neighbor's Scout over my Whaler -it's more comfortable for passengers (of course, it's nearly 2 feet longer as well, with a wider beam, so it's a much bigger boat). I still prefer my Whaler for its trailerability, versatility, handling, hole-shot, shallower draft and aesthetic qualities.
bc	posted 07-12-2004 11:34 PM ET (US) http://thehulltruth.net/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=31585&posts=24 This guy is really having a fit with his new Scout....
hooter	posted 07-12-2004 11:56 PM ET (US) Here's mah opinion of the Scout brand, and Ah've known and fished on a few. Unless you're penniless and therefore in the market for a cheap old Larson, you're best bet in this situation is to save your pennies until you've got about a million of 'em (thaz about ten grand), then go find you a classic Outrage 18'. That is the path to true happiness, given you has already been ruined from ever ownin' lesser brands by ownin' a Montauk. Keep the Montauk at least until then. Ah'm not kiddin' you, now:-!
Kelly	posted 07-13-2004 07:36 AM ET (US) I used to like the looks of the 17' scouts, but since the new Montauk 170 came out, I think I would buy it instead if I was looking for a new boat in that size. Kelly
skategoat	posted 07-13-2004 10:43 AM ET (US) I own a 1998 Scout Dorado 155 - dual console fishing boat. There are tons of Scouts in my area due to the fact that a very popular marina sells them. Very nicely laid out for fishing with decks on stern and bow. All components are super solid. Construction and quality control are first rate. The boat rides smoothly and easy easy to handle. My only complaint is that is a bit sluggish out of the hole but I think that might have to do with under-powering. I have a 50hp 4-stroke Mariner on it. It's rated for 80hp. I'd like to find a 18-21 foot centre console and keep the Scout for the kids.
whaler131	posted 07-13-2004 07:38 PM ET (US) ALL I CAN SAY " IT AINT NO WHALER"
Jay A	posted 07-15-2004 12:17 AM ET (US) I'm a Whaler owner for the past 34 years! But I keep my eyes open to all brands and Scout makes a nice craft! I also own a 21' Sea Pro W/A and yes it has a "sandwich foam filled hull"! Whaler is not the end all of boats! Sure they are durable and safe as far as floatation is concerned are right up there among the top of the line. But brands such as Scout and Sea Pro and most others can and do provide a choice of ride comfort,layout and function along with safety features that makes the industry competitive. Did I mention price? Well sad to say....Whaler demands the highest! Why? Because of the name! They bank on the uninformed consumers that wear "blinders" and don't really look into other manufacturers. A major reason why BW has a high re-sale price.....who can afford a new one and justify the cost?....That's if they have done their homework!
SCKelsea	posted 07-19-2004 04:48 PM ET (US) I just bought a 2004 17' Montauk. The Scout 18.5 was in the running. I have been on 17, 18 and 20 ft Scouts, and the Montauk compares well with the 18.5 but I would not put any other 17 up against the new Montauk hull. The Scout 18 might be a bit better in a chop, the with the extra length. The Scout 18 was about a grand cheaper with 115 4s compared to my Whaler w/ a 90 4s. The hull integrity is what won me over in the end. As in every boat, it depends on what you are going to do. Don't get me wrong, for the money I think a 17' Scout can be a fun boat. Just don't expect it to be a Whaler.