Jerry Cahalan

Open water fishing is one of the most exciting forms of angling. However, when you’re heading out on a fishing adventure in open water, you need the right boat with all the best features to do the job. This is important so that both you and your guests can have a wonderful time on the water. Fortunately for you, Scout Boats excels at making comfortable, luxurious crafts that are perfect for the open ocean. Learn more about our top open water fishing boats from Scout.

With our Build Your Scout tool, you can customize every feature of your craft exactly to your liking. Create your dream open water fishing boat now!

What To Look For in an Open Water Fishing Boat

These are the features you need from an open water fishing boat:

• Stabilization System. Rolling waves can make life difficult on the ocean. However, new advancements like stabilization units make boats more level in these conditions. This is truly a must-have feature for your boat!
• Powerful Motors. If you’re heading into open waters, you could be traveling dozens of miles. You’ll need a boat that can get you to your favorite destinations quickly through the use of powerful motors.
• Top-Quality Fishing Features. Fishing in the open ocean calls for professional gear and plenty of equipment. Your boat needs features like rod storage, outriggers, and a sizable live well.

Beginner Boats From Scout

When looking for the top open water fishing boats from Scout, you can’t go wrong with these three options:

530 LXF

Built for advanced luxury and superior boating adventures, the 530 LFX is truly a world-class fishing boat. With stabilization features, powerful motors, and enough space for your large group, you can enjoy more time on the water and success while fishing. This boat has it all, allowing you to host friends and family while enjoying open water fishing. The 530 LFX is the largest boat in our lineup and is definitely one of the most impressive!

420 LXF

The 420 LXF has been a popular option for anglers all across the country, making it one of the leading boats in our lineup. It combines world-class luxury with superior entertainment, in addition to advanced fishing features such as an epoxy-infused hull for stability. Together, these features create a boat that offers an outstanding fishing experience.

380 LXF

Of all the excellent boats available today, the 380 LFX stands out thanks to its sleek hull and top-quality, luxury features. Fishing on this boat is a breeze with its vast rod storage, live well, and outriggers. You deserve the finest performance on the ocean, and the 380 LXF can deliver exactly what you need for your next open water fishing adventure. 

Find the Perfect Open Water Fishing Boat for Your Needs

If you’re searching for an open water fishing boat with luxury, power, and top-quality fishing performance, then you need a Scout. We use the finest designs, advanced engineering, and superior craftsmanship to create vessels that bring you a higher level of excellence. Use our Build Your Scout feature to create the perfect craft for you, your family, and all of your fishing needs!

Sleeping on your boat is a fun, enjoyable, and relaxing way to spend an evening if you do it the right way. Get a comfortable and safe night’s rest using these tips for sleeping on a boat overnight. This is the best way to increase your enjoyment and maximize the use of your boat!

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Wakesurfing is one of the most interesting and exciting sports on the water. But, to have the best wakesurfing experience, you need to have a boat that’s up to the task. Fortunately, there are plenty of top-quality boat models with fantastic features that really enhance the sport. Consider some of the best wakesurf boats from Scout to provide you with the best experience on the water!

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A 26’ boat gives you an excellent combination of space and manageability. Boats of this size are large enough to host a big group, but not so large that you can’t maneuver them through traffic, bays, and crowded marinas. At Scout, we are proud to make some of the best 26’ boats on the water. These boats have everything you need, including the right size, the best features, and the most luxurious comfort you’ll find on a watercraft!

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Most people want a boat that can perform many different tasks. While you may be buying a boat primarily for fishing, it should also be able to handle skiing, luxury cruising, and other activities as well. There are many multi-purpose boats available, so make sure you find one that has the right features and characteristics from Scout.

What To Look For in Multi-Purpose Boats

When you start shopping for a multi-purpose boat, consider these criteria:

• Versatile features. Your multi-purpose boat will be used for a variety of activities, so make sure it has a variety of features, including items for fishing, swimming, skiing, and relaxation.
• Comfortable seating. No matter what activity you choose, you want a boat that is comfortable. The multi-purpose boat you choose should have luxury seating for you and all of your passengers.
• Numerous options. In many cases, the ability to customize your boat can make it truly special. If you’re looking for a multi-purpose boat, make sure there are enough optional features to really make it your own!

Multi-Purpose Boats from Scout

If you want a craft that you can use for numerous activities, choose one the best multi-purpose boats from Scout!

235 XSF

Enjoy a boat with sleek lines and excellent performance when you choose the 235 XSF from Scout Boats. This craft allows you to participate in a wide variety of activities like fishing and skiing, and it comes built on the revolutionary NuV3 hull, which offers outstanding performance no matter what task is at hand. You can use this boat for any adventure whether it’s during the day or the night, as the LED lighting allows you to use the craft at any hour. Night, day, mornings, evenings, weekends, weekdays—there’s never a time that you can’t enjoy this versatile boat.

225 Dorado

The 255 Dorado is a multi-purpose boat that’s excellent for families and anglers alike, and it can be customized to become one of the finest skiing boats you’ll ever enjoy. With dual-swim platforms, a bow table with a cooler, and luxuriously cushioned seating, this boat provides you with everything you need for an excellent outing on the water. Plus, with a long list of optional features, you can design this craft to your exact preferences.

251 XS

When you need versatile performance for both nearshore and offshore fishing that also provides an enjoyable experience for the whole family, the 251 XS is a great choice. This boat offers plenty of fishing features, but it can also be enhanced with luxury and entertainment features, such as the deluxe stereo upgrades, XM stereo and weather, and multiple Garmin screens. This is a high-tech, multi-purpose boat that delivers plenty of excitement on the water.

Your Multi-Purpose Boat is Waiting!

Contact Scout Boats today to get the top-quality boat you’ve been searching for. We have boats with excellent features, including items for swimming, skiing, cruising, and fishing! You deserve the best, so reach out and find the right boat for your needs!

If you’re looking for a recreational boat, it needs to have the right features, be the right size, and offer the right power. With this helpful guide, you can find the boat that fits all of your specific needs. We’ll even provide a few handy suggestions for the best recreational boats from Scout so you can make the perfect choice!

What To Look For in a Recreational Boat

When you’re looking for a recreational boat, remember these key features and characteristics to ensure your new craft will fit your specific needs for years.

• Comfort and Luxury. Your recreational boat, possibly above everything else, needs to be comfortable. You may spend hours on your boat, so make sure it’s spacious and has luxury features to ensure a good time.
• Versatile Features. You will likely use your recreational boat for many different purposes, including fishing, leisurely boating, and/or water skiing. Look for a boat that has a variety of features so you can enjoy all of your favorite boating activities.
• Acceleration and Speed. When you’re out on the water, you don’t want a slow recreational boat. The boat you choose should have plenty of power, giving you speed and acceleration.

Recreational Boats From Scout

Are you ready to browse through some recreational boats? Take a look at some of the best models at Scout that are complete with comfort, luxury, entertainment, and convenience.

255 LXF

The 255 LXF makes a wonderful recreational boat thanks to a variety of features, include flush-mounted rod holders, hydraulic steering, and a transom door. To enhance the visual appeal of the boat, it sports sophisticated touches such as silver accents and pinstripes, an S.S. Scout logo, and a gorgeous teak swim platform. Plus, if you love to fish, you can also upgrade this boat with outriggers to create a world-class fishing experience for you and your group.

215 XSF

Nimble and efficient, the 215 XSF has all the features you would expect from a leading recreational boat. It uses a fuel-saving NuV3 hull, which delivers an outstanding ride as well as responsive handling. The boat comes loaded with standard features, but you can enhance the craft with one of our many combination packages, including the Sport package and the Elite package.

225 Dorado

Dual-console boats also make excellent recreational boats. The 225 Dorado is a powerful, fast, and comfortable vessel for your recreational needs. It offers fully-cushioned bow seating, adjustable captain’s chairs, console storage, and more. Plus, you can customize the boat to your preferences with options like a Garmin B60 transducer and JL audio speakers. The combination of these features create one of the finest recreational boats on the water!

Find Your Dream Recreational Boat with Scout

These are some of the best recreational boats from Scout. If you’re interested in one of these fantastic models, contact us to learn even more about why a Scout is the perfect choice for you!

As a business owner, you may have numerous assets held through your business: cars, trucks, computers, equipment, and maybe even real estate. But have you ever wondered if your business can “own” a boat? As we’ll show, you can actually buy a boat through your business, even if it has little or nothing to do with boating. As long as you can demonstrate a legitimate purpose for the boat, you can buy it and enjoy the tax benefits of this purchase.

Note: Scout Boats is not a tax or financial expert. This article is for general information only and should not be taken as financial advice. Always speak with an expert before making a decision.

A Boat Can Be a Business Expense

To legitimately buy a boat through your business, you need to have a specific reason for purchasing it as a business expense. For some, the reason is obvious: commercial and recreational fishing companies have a clear and easily-defined reason for needing a boat. But what about a typical company such as a marketing firm, accounting office, or manufacturing business? In this case, the reason is less obvious, but it still exists.

Entertainment is usually the motivation for buying a boat through your business, but the IRS has some tricky rules behind this use. In general, the IRS says you cannot deduct any expense for the use of entertainment, but you can deduct some expenses. So while you can use company money to purchase a boat (as long as the boat is used primarily business purposes), you will likely not be able to write off the purchase as a tax deduction.

However, you may be able to deduct other expenses related to the use of the boat. Food, beverages, and catering can likely be deducted. Even fishing bait or lures that were purchased for and used during entertainment of clients or employees could be considered a tax deduction. Just remember to document these expenses thoroughly.

For entertaining employees, you will also need to show that the use of your boat has a legitimate business purpose. Week-long fishing expeditions for the primary owner may not be a legitimate reason, but team-building exercises could be. The boat could even be used for enticing new employees, but again, proper documentation is crucial.

Above all, if you buy a boat for business use, it will have to primarily remain a business asset. You can’t use it for personal luxury cruises all summer, then take an employee fishing once a year and claim it as a business asset. Be honest about how you use the boat or you may come under scrutiny from the IRS.

Scout Boats: The Right Luxury Vessel For You

Now that you know you can buy a boat through your business, our Scout luxury fishing boats are the perfect choice for entertaining clients and employees. With comfort and convenience, one of our outstanding boats could be the most popular asset in your business!

Contact us today for more information on purchasing a Scout.

Buying a boat is incredibly exciting, but you can’t rush through it. If you take your time, are patient, and ask plenty of questions, you’ll be far more likely to find a boat that meets your needs and is reliable for years to come. These are the essential questions to ask when buying a boat that can help you make an informed decision.

What Are The Warranties?

Most new boats will come with a warranty, which helps protect you financially if certain repairs are needed. In most cases, there are separate warranties for the boat and the motors. The hull, electronics, and other features are often protected by the manufacturer of the boat (Scout Boats, for example), while the motor manufacturer (Yamaha, Mercury, etc.) will have a different warranty. It’s important to inquire about all warranties before buying.

When Can I Test Drive The Boat?

This is not a matter of if you can test drive the boat, but a matter of when. Purchasing a new boat, especially a high-end, luxury fishing boat, will cost thousands of dollars, so driving it before you buy it is essential. Just like driving a car or walking through a house, this is a necessary part of the buying process.

Find a Scout dealer near you to schedule a test drive!

How Often Will The Boat Need Service? What Are The Typical Costs?

Different types of boats will have different needs for service. Ask the dealer or the manufacturer how often the boat requires routine maintenance, as well as its overall costs. Service is an important, and sometimes forgotten, part of boat ownership, so it shouldn’t be overlooked.

What Material Is The Boat Made From?

Boats come in a wide variety of materials. From the hull to the seats, the materials can make a difference on the quality, performance, and overall comfort of the craft. Be sure to ask about all materials before you make a boat purchase.

How Much Will It Cost To Insure This Boat

Another important cost is insurance. Many people rush into buying a boat and completely forget to insure the craft. In some areas, minimal boat insurance is required by law, so be sure to ask about these requirements before you buy.

How Many Passengers Does This Craft Hold?

Every boat has a specific capacity for passengers. You cannot legally have more passengers on board than your boat’s limit. Passenger capacity will have a direct impact on how you use the boat, making it one of the most essential questions to ask when buying a boat.  

Is Financing Available?

As we discussed earlier, boats can be expensive. For this reason, many people need to use financing to make the purchase. Talk with a representative to see if financing is available for your boat. If not, you may be able to get financing through a local credit union or bank.

Your Dream Boat Is Waiting!

Our friendly staff at Scout Boats is happy to answer all of your questions. Contact us today to learn more about our crafts, including warranties, materials, test drives, and any other questions you may have.

When most people take their smaller boat along on a yacht trip, they store it onboard. However, this can be a hassle when you’re ready to use it. It’s a pain to load the boat into the water, and later, hauling it back up again. Because of this, many yacht owners are realizing the ease of towing their tender instead of storing it on board. To do so safely, take a look at the proper steps on how to tow a tender behind a yacht.

Proper Markings And Lights For Each Vessel

Once you start moving with this rig, you’ll legally be considered a towboat. Towboats have different regulations and restrictions, and they also have a variety of required lighting to ensure proper safety. Both the yacht and the tender must have the proper markings and lighting to be a legal craft on the water, so be sure to talk with a boating expert to ensure your boat is up to standards.

Without the proper markings and lightings, your boat may not be legal for the water, and you could create significant safety issues. Always have the right lighting and markings long before you tow a tender behind your yacht.

Use Sturdy Cleats And Bitts

It’s essential that you use the right bitts and cleats when towing a tender, as the equipment will undergo a lot of pressure. If you’re using low-quality equipment, it could snap or break, which means you’ll have to retrieve your tender. Breaking equipment can also create a safety issue and could cause significant injury.

It’s also important to note that the small eye that’s commonly installed at the front of a tender is often inadequate for proper towing, so you may need to replace this item—although Scout Boats models all come with a top-quality tow eye.

Use Floats On The Line

One major safety issue for towing a yacht is the potential for tow lines to become wrapped in the yacht’s prop. To reduce the chances of this occurring, make sure there’s a float on the line itself. This will keep the rope at the surface of the water and will significantly reduce the chances of having your rope caught in the prop.

Don’t Pull A Boat That’s Too Big

You have to make sure the tender you’re pulling isn’t too big for your yacht. A general rule of thumb is that your tender should not be longer than the width of your yacht, as larger boats will create drag and reduce the speed, efficiency, and ride quality.

Get the Boat You Deserve with Scout

Are you looking for a great yacht tender? Contact Scout Boats today to learn more about our excellent selection of luxury fishing boats and tenders. With outstanding engineering and world-class designs, Scout Boats is a leader on the water. You deserve the finest features and amenities on your boat, so get in touch with us today!

Owning a boat is a wonderful experience. But if you’ve never purchased a boat before, you need to take your time and make sure you select the right craft. Here’s what to look for in a good first boat!

What To Look For in a First Boat

When searching for your first boat, look for these important features:

• Affordable Price. There is little doubt that you’ll love owning a boat. However, for your first purchase, look for one with a moderate price. If you discover that boating is right for you, you can move to a higher-priced craft.
• Moderate Size. If this is your first boat, it’s safe to assume that you don’t have much experience driving and maneuvering a vessel. Choose something with a manageable size to help you ease into boat operation.
• Variety of Features. Your first boat should have a wide variety of features so you can try many different activities. This should include features for fishing, watersports, leisurely cruising, and more.

Excellent Beginner Boats from Scout

If you are looking for a first boat, consider one of these excellent models from Scout Boats. They combine an affordable price, a manageable size, and numerous features to create a boat that you will love for years!

175 Sport Dorado

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Starting at a great price, the 175 Sport Dorado is a comfortable dual-console boat that delivers superior handing and versatility on the water. With a draft of only ten inches, this boat can reach shallow fishing areas that other anglers can’t reach, leaving you with access to untouched spots. It has a livewell for fishing, a swim platform for skiers, and can be equipped with a variety of other features that enhance your boating experience!

195 Sportfish

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Another affordably-priced boat, the 195 Sportfish is a remarkable craft that can be used for virtually any water activity. It has a comfortable deck for your group thanks to a beam of eight feet, six inches, yet it maintains easy maneuverability. With features like the Bimini top, backrest seating, and a capacity for seven people, this sleek vessel gives you everything you could desire from your first boat.

231 XS

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Although at a higher price point than the previous two models, this is such a popular boat that it is often limited in inventory—so you need to act quickly if you want one of these excellent vessels. The 231 XS is a versatile boat that can be used for both inshore and offshore boating. Whether you want a craft that is great for fishing or simply want to pull skiers for an afternoon of enjoyment on the water, the 231 XS is a wonderful option.

Get the Boat You Deserve from Scout!

If you want a truly incredible vessel for your first boat, you need a Scout. Use our Build Your Scout Feature to customize a boat that meets all of your needs!