SCOUT 235 XSF SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 23 feet, 8 inches
Beam: 8 feet, 6 inches
Weight: 3,655 pounds (dry, without power)
Deadrise Aft: 20 degrees
Draft: 19.5 inches (engine drive up)
Fuel Capacity: 100 gallons
Brand new for 2018, the 235 replaces the 225 XSF model from last season’s lineup and stays true to Scout’s legacy with innovations and high performance, combined with stylish looks and creature comforts. One of the most notable design evolutions of the new 235 XSF is that Scout did away with the typical transom splash well by extending the outboard shaft and creating a single level platform across the entire swim platform. Scout engineered an elevated mounting bracket on the centerline to accommodate the longer 30-inch shaft outboard, resulting in a totally level surface area at the transom. Functionally, it’s a much easier task to exit the starboard side wave gate from the cockpit to get aft to remove the outboard cowling and perform basic engine maintenance. As a result of this upgrade, the outboard shaft length increases from a XL/25-inch outboard shaft length up to an XXL/30-inch shaft.
The Scout 235 XSF includes a powder-coated T-top, with a fiberglass hardtop with LED spreader lights fore and aft and a fully integrated safety glass windshield. Other notable standard features include a full bow cushion set; aft cockpit coaming bolsters; six stainless steel pull-up cleats; LED cockpit and courtesy lighting; a forward console lounge seat with 61-gallon insulated fishbox underneath; plus five handy USB outlets at the helm to charge your cell phones. The standard leaning bar includes a four-rod rocket launcher aft and a trio of handy cup holders. Upgrading to the deluxe version adds a tackle station, a removable insulated Igloo cooler down under (with a 65-quart Yeti upgrade), plus twin flip up seat bolsters that allow for totally comfortable transit whether sitting or leaning into the backrest when underway. The roomy console dash mounts a standard Garmin 942XS multi-function display directly in front of the operator, equipped with a B60 transducer for GPS and fish-finding duties.
When I jumped aboard the Scout 235 XSF at this year’s Miami Boat Show, she sported a spacious cockpit, plus a finish that will definitely turn heads with her unique good looks at the marina. From a fishing perspective, she can bend the rods with the best of them. Other standard fishing accoutrements include a pair of insulated 31-gallon utility boxes under the raised forward benches port and starboard with overboard gravity drains; a quartet of flush-mounted stainless steel rodholders set in the transom; two pairs of horizontal rodholders under each covering board; a four-rod rocket launcher in the aft end of the leaning post; plus an optional four-rod rocket launcher mounted in the hardtop. When it’s time to toss a live bait to the catch of the day, a 15-gallon recirculation livewell in the port transom corner will make it happen, plus the standard raw water washdown pump that will clean up any mess in the cockpit. A roomy anchor locker positioned in the forepeak is accessed via a handy flush deck hatch. When nature calls, a dedicated private head area under the spacious center console will provide welcome respite. Owners can choose from an optional Porta-Pottie or china bowl head.
The Scout 235 XSF is offered with your choice of Yamaha or Mercury Verado four-stroke outboards, with a 250 horsepower listed as her standard power and the 300 horsepower as an upgrade. Factory tests with a Yamaha F300 4.2-liter V-6 demonstrated that she will pop up on plane in only 3.6 seconds and will go from 0 to 30 mph in a scant 5.9 seconds, so this girl can really scoot. Swinging a Yamaha SWS II 18-inch pitch 3-blade stainless steel prop, the Scout 235 XSF hit a top speed of 53.5 mph at 5900 rpms, with her best economical cruising speed occurring at 3500 revs, where she hit 31 mph while burning 8.9 gph, for a net of 3.48 mpg. This is very impressive for a hefty 23-1/2-footer, courtesy of the Scout’s slippery NuV3 running bottom. Bumping the electric throttle up to four-grand will hit 35.4 mph on the GPS at 12.1 gph, for a bottom line of 2.93 mpg. Advancing the control to 4500 rpm will achieve 40.8 mph at 15.8 gph, for a net of 2.59 mpg, which is still fairly good fuel economy. Scout has a real hit with their new 235 XSF that both hardcore anglers and fishing families will enjoy. For more information, visit
www.scoutboats.com.
