Scout 380 LXF. Much more than a simple fisherman. Miami Sea Trial

Presented in world première at the last Miami International Boat Show, the Scout Boats Scout 380 LXF is a sophisticated fishing center console boat. Combining the key features of a conventional offshore fisherman and elegant yachting design, she has drawn our attention. So, when are asked if we want to test her, we gladly accept the invitation and climb on board.

Scout 380 LXF – Sea Trial

The new fisherman is offered in different outboard options. Our test boat is powered by the less powerful one consisting of triple Verado 350s. The most powerful version consists of four 350s which would output up to 1,400 horsepower.

Before leaving our mooring post, the crew turns the Seakeeper 6 on; the indicator of the device starts moving towards the efficiency level while we retract moorings and enter the exit canal of the boat show.

We sail slowly, slightly perceiving the buzz produced by the Verado engines which push the boat at 3-4 knots. The nice company of Nautica’s staff adds pleasure to the slow, long journey which will lead us boarding other two passengers, a couple of owners interested into the Scout 380, by Miami River. Once everybody is on board, we sail to the bridge which marks the end of the low-speed zone while the Seakeeper achieves its activation point and finally eliminates roll.

Over the bridge, we can finally take the conn. So, we reach the pilot station, we sit down and we realize that the seat is highly comfortable and everything is within our reach. The bow, designed to remain perfectly protected against water sprays even when dealing with ocean waves, occupies the whole lower part of our visual field, guaranteeing full visibility while sailing.

Resisting the urge to put throttles ahead for a while, we disconnect the Seakeeper stabilizer, we select the “sync” mode and finally start speeding up to test speed and fuel consumption levels.

The Scout acts as a conventional ocean fisherman and she doesn’t like intermediate speed which progressively evolve into planing. Stable and well-balanced up to 8-9 knots, she significantly raises the bow and lowers the stern at intermediate speed. Under this condition, visibility is low and the Scout seems to realize that; in fact, despite our efforts to keep engine speed constant, she starts speeding up, she planes and lowers the bow spontaneously. This way, we go from 10 to 17 knots with no apparent acceleration while the hull clearly goes out of the water and starts sliding.

When the boat planes, everything becomes much, maybe too much, easier. The hull always gives a sense of precision and safety, even when we achieve the 47.7-knot top speed although the boat is over-loaded and the Seakeeper disconnected. The automatic Verado’s trim works very well.

Now, the fun begins. We strongly push throttles ahead, the boat quickly starts planing, accompanied by the exciting roar of the powerful Verado outboards.

From that moment on, it’s pure entertainment. Experiencing a series of fast tight turns, the hull always remains stable and precise while, at top speed, the stern promptly reacts by increasing the sense of centrifugal force. We counterturn, always at full throttle, trying to put the hull into difficulty but in vain: it always remains stable, with no creaking on board.

We’re engaged in a tight turn, with throttles all down, when, at about 37 knots, we intercept our wake. We expect a jump, a good bump instead…nothing. The Scout cuts through the wave like nothing happened, smoothly and softly.

I have fun for quite a long time; then, unfortunately, I have to let my colleague take the conn.

Feedback

The Scout 380 LXF is a boat with a strong personality.

If you’re looking for an all-around boat, the Scout is not for you. If you’re looking for a yacht which can guarantee great performances and fuel-efficiency at 12-18 knots, the Scout is not for you. If you are faint of heart and you love staying in the port when the sea is rough, the Scout is not for you.

Are you familiar with Sardinia in August and that shoal, very rich in fish, situated at 40-50 nm from the Strait of Bonifacio where just a few people go because it is too far or because weather might change or because yachtsmen are forced to cross a low-speed zone?

Well, the Scout 380 is the perfect machine to enjoy that, in total safety and comfort. It’s a boat designed for real, simple, not excessively demanding sailors.

If you simply want to enjoy a boat trip with your friends and, after letting them have some fun thanks to the great performances which this boat is capable of, spend a day in a beautiful anchorage, well…you will find out that the Scout is equally perfect for this.

At the end of the day, when you will have come back to your mooring post, you will find out that this boat is also capable of catching the admiring eyes of all those who, as always, have stayed in the port.

Personality, power and beauty: these are the key features of the new Scout 380 LXF. And, I am not ashamed to admit that, if she was mine, I would install four Verados abaft.

What about the price? Our test boat was really full-optional and was offered for sale at little less than $ 800,000.00 ( about € 650,000.00), engines included.

Scout 380 LXF – Description

Coming from the jetty, we can take a look at the boat in all its glory. The three while Verado 350s positioned on the transom replicate the colour of the hull and contribute to enhance the sporty, aggressive lines of the boat.

The hull of the Scout 380 XLF is epoxy-infused, which provides stability while reducing the overall displacement ( 6.5 tons with no engines) and improving passengers, provisions and fishing equipment capacity.

Passengers can climb on board through a side opening positioned on the port side of the cockpit, which, in its turn, is the area where most of innovations are concentrated.

Multiple lockers, live wells, technical compartments and seating are available both under the flooring and along the cockpit sides; however, equipped with convenient sliding mechanisms, they can disappear to make the owner and his guests enjoy their fishing trips on an uncluttered walkable surface. We’re talking of a surface which, measuring 2.5 x 3.5 meters (almost 9 square meters1), is commonly found in larger fisherman boats.

Forward, sheltered by the T-Top, a two-people settee can rotate and therefore turn into a sink-equipped kitchenette. At the foot of this seat, under the flooring, is located the Seakeeper 6, a gyro stabilizer which might seem a little exaggerated since, according to manufacturer’s statements, it can stabilize boats up to 20 tons or 50 feet in length. But if we consider that fisherman boats spend most of their time fishing in high seas, we can understand the reasons for that.

Above this seat, an electric mechanism can activate a fabric extension of the T-Top which enlarges the shaded area of the cockpit or, vice versa, rotate upward the rod support. The T-Top is flanked by two dilators which will disentangle the set of lines owners will throw into the sea.

Going from te cockpit forward, bulkheads become increasingly higher and create well-protected side-decks which lead to the forward section in total safety. Here, the dinette is furnished with a large, well-refined central table which can seat up to 4 adults in total comfort. The dinette is convertible and can turn into a two-people sun pad.

Always forward, at the foot of the T-Top, there is an additional relaxation area. This, we’re sure, will be the main point of contention among passengers during their sea excursions. Two comfortable arm-equipped chaises longues will delight the lucky guests who will be able to gain this wonderful area. Moreover, this is one of the safest areas where to lie down and relax on board when the boat rides fast through the waves.

Like the cockpit, the forward section, too, offers multiple lockers. Nothing is left to chance in this boat.

The central zone of the boat is dominated by the center console that, positioned under the T-Top, includes pilot seats and navigation instruments. Below it, the Scout 380 LXF hides a real lower deck consisting of a convertible dinette, a fully-equipped galley and a bathroom with shower compartment.

Stepping down through two steep short steps, a little compartment destined to accommodate five different rods is flanked, on the left, by the bathroom, whose headroom is enough for welcoming even the tallest American owners. On the starboard side, a corner galley is equipped with a micro-wave oven, a refrigerator and electric burners.

The dinette is wide and welcoming, with a large tv screen over the sofas which, in their turn, can turn into a two-meter queen-size bed.

A 12,000-btu air conditioning system and multiple nozzles can lower temperatures to artic levels.

If you want to find out more about the extraordinary versatility of the new Scout 380 LXF, the video below leaves no doubt about the real “vocations” of this fisherman.

Scout 380 LXF Sea Trial – Performances

Test Conditions: lmost flat sea, 50% fuel capacity, 40% water capacity.

Scout 380 LXF – Technical Specs

Importer for Italy:

Sunrise Marine Srl – Lavagna (GE) – +39 0185 044781 – info@sunrisemarine.it – sunrisemarine.it