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.
