Scout 357 LXF

Scout Boats recently ­replaced its popular 355 LXF with the new 357 LXF S-Class—part of a nine-boat lineup of luxe cruisers aimed squarely at the higher-end slice of the outboard offshore fishing market, appealing to buyers who want an ultra-finished approach to complement their passion for offshore fishing. 

The 357 is a magnum among fast hulls, cranking off a 72.2 mph top-end speed. Its triple Mercury Verado V-10s clawed to 6,400 rpm, swinging 27-pitch stainless four-blade Mercury Revolution X SS propellers. Acceleration was quick, especially considering the 14,000-pound rigged weight. With the 319-gallon fuel tank a little more than half-full, we zipped from a dead idle to 30 mph in just ­under 7.4 seconds. 

It is efficient too. Our best cruise was at 4,000 rpm, where the twin-stepped running surface achieved 1.15 mpg. That’s over 390 miles of range leaving 10 percent in reserve. A long weekend of cruising, fishing and island hopping without refilling is this boat’s jam.

In many cases, a fast boat that accelerates quickly often gives up ride quality for the speed and punch. Not so for the 357 LXF. The deep-V fiberglass and epoxy-infused hull features a pad bottom with 22-degree deadrise, multiple lifting strakes and a setback transom. This results in a remarkably smooth and stable ride, even in heavy seas, channels full of wakes and windblown chop. Turning is just as uneventful. It takes a bit of planning to slow down this big beast, but when the time is right, the hull cuts and banks as it arcs around in tight hard-over turns, offering a clean and confident turn radius. 

Each 357 is built alongside Scout’s other models ranging from 17 to 53 feet, with its newest flagship 67-footer set to debut this season. Scout’s Summerville, South Carolina, plant is most impressive, employing over 400 and commanding a big presence as a heavyweight manufacturing business in the Palmetto State. Each Scout is designed, prototyped, tested and built right there in the plant; even the electrical harnesses, plumbing and fixtures are built in-house. We spent some time there observing the processes in the prototype stage, the electrical-assembly clean room, the gelcoat and lay-up stages, and the final ­assembly line. 

With the exception of the computer-aided prototyping and calculations, it’s all done by hand. The epoxy-infused lay-up is as efficient as it gets, tossing aside the age-old adage that an offshore boat must be laid up heavy to last and offer a smooth ride. 

The cockpit layout offers a center-mounted helm and triple heated helm seating with flip-up bolsters behind a fully integrated pilot’s console surrounded by a custom Scout-designed and -built T-top with a full safety-glass enclosure. Helm controls feature a Fusion Bluetooth-amplified eight-speaker sound system, a Garmin 8612 multifunction display, digital switching, a compass, USB ports and courtesy lighting. A stern-facing aft cooler/bench seating resides abaft the helm seating module. 

An optional electric telescoping sunshade is a techy touch that makes sun-scorched days easier on the skin. Add optional air conditioning for ultimate comfort. A Seakeeper 3 DC-powered gyrostabilizer option keeps things steady in all sea conditions. It includes solar panels on the hardtop, an additional 50-amp charger and two additional batteries.

Down below, the inner console double berth includes a marine head with an electric pump, Corian surfaces, a sink, a refrigerator, port and starboard windows, a 19-inch built-in flat screen, a removable teak table and ample storage.   

In the bow, an electrically actuated bow table/sun lounge rises from an Esthec deck to make impromptu gatherings easy and comfortable. An anchor camera is standard, making mooring easier from the cockpit, and an aft-­facing bench seat converts into a raised prep table. Grigio bow-cushion upholstery is available, along with other ­color options. 

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Anglers will appreciate the 60-gallon transom fish/storage box, port and starboard 43-gallon in-floor fish boxes, and a 47-gallon cockpit baitwell—all standard, as are 10 gunwale-mounted stainless-steel rod holders. Options include retractable hardtop rocket launchers, electric reel plugs, underwater lights and hardtop-mounted outriggers. Abaft, anglers and water enthusiasts will enjoy the full-width, walkable swim/engine platform with a starboard side-boarding door. 

Scout has honed the LXF S series lineup for over a decade, so it should be no surprise that this latest 357 LXF falls right in place as a premier 35-foot sport-fisher with classic Scout styling, cutting-edge technology, abundant power and comfort galore.   

Specifications

Scout Boats – Summerville, South Carolina; scoutboats.com

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