The sea stretched before me like a pane of glass as I piloted the new Scout 330 LXF out of the channel at the Ocean Reef Club and into the Atlantic Ocean off of Key Largo, Florida. Joining me for a test run on this warm, windless September morning were Scout Boats’ product specialist, Josh Slayton, and Sport Fishing group publisher, Scott Salyers.
With a 10-foot, 4-inch beam, the 330LXF offers a 3-inch wider stance than its predecessor model, the 320 LXF, for a bit more room to fish, as well as entertain at times when angling is not a priority. The wider beam also contributes to greater roll stability at rest and while underway.
Propelled by a pair of Yamaha 425 XTO outboards bolted to the integral motor bracket/swim platform, my test boat did not lack for power, though it is also available with twin Mercury Racing 450R outboards (special order only) for a bit more oomph, if that’s important to you. As we cleared the no-wake zone, Slayton and I relaxed against the twin high-back helm-seat bolsters, while Salyers kicked back on the fold-out transom bench.
Spirited Performance
“This is the newest model in the Scout S-class that includes boats 33-feet in length and up,” Slayton said to me, as we talked behind the integral, full-height tempered-glass windshield. “All S-class models have double-stepped hulls and that translates to greater efficiency and performance.”
“Hold on,” I responded. “Let’s see how she runs.”
The calm waters ahead prompted me to put the boat through a series of dizzying high-speed turns, then cross back through our wake. The 330 LXF carves turns with confidence-inspiring precision, and while sea conditions were hardly challenging, the hull sliced through the 3-foot self-generated waves like a knife through warm butter. The boat felt solid, with nary a creak or rattle, thanks to Scout’s 100 percent handlaid construction and advanced epoxy infusion.
My boat was also equipped with a Zipwake interceptor trim-tab system, though I did not find it necessary to use it during this test. The double-stepped hull lifted nicely and responded quickly to engine trim.
While I didn’t get a chance to gather performance data, Yamaha representatives ran the numbers later and reported a time-to-plane of five seconds, with a 0-to-30-mph time of 8.2 seconds. They achieved a top speed of 66.4 mph at 6,100 rpm, where the twin Yamaha 425s drank 76.6 gallons per hour for 0.87 mpg. The sweet spot for fuel economy turned out to be 3,500 rpm and 32 mph as the outboards sipped 22.2 gph for 1.5 mpg.
Classy Touches
Like other S-class models, the 330 LXF is designed with luxury amenities to enhance the onboard experience, putting it on par with larger models in terms of comfort, Slayton pointed out. Indeed, the gracefully sweeping sheer line, Carolina-style bow flare and classic tumblehome of the stern quarters lend it a yachtlike air.
Coaming pads encircle the interior, with recessed grab rails extending mid-ship to bow. I found shelves under the gunwales handy for stashing small items such as tubes of sunscreen.
In the bow, I found an inviting nook with 5-foot-long loungers on each side and a teak table that rises from the deck at the push of a button. It also serves as a platform for a padded forward sun lounge. Atop the forward console resides a comfy, 39-inch-long lounge seat for two, with cavernous dry stowage underneath.
Back in the aft cockpit, the optional motorized fiberglass shade extends from inside the hardtop for relief from the sun. An optional, patented Retractable Rocket Launcher that holds five rods on the aft edge of the hardtop tilts downward electrically to allow deployment of the shade.
I ducked into the step-down center-console through the portside companionway and discovered 6 feet, 3 inches of headroom, a 6-foot berth that will accommodate two well-acquainted adults and an electric marine toilet, making this boat comfortable for overnighting.
No boat is complete today without a sound system, and the 330 LXF takes it to the max with a standard Fusion stereo, pumping audio to 10 JL 7.7-inch speakers. My boat came equipped with an optional 12-volt air-conditioning system to cool the helm deck.
Fishy Side
My inspection revealed a pair of optional Garmin 8616 multifunction displays set flush in the wide helm panel and networked with Garmin chirp sonar, xHD2 radar and GHP 40 autopilot. A Yamaha CL7 display monitors the twin 425 XTO outboards and interfaces with the boat’s Yamaha Helm Master system, which includes a joystick among other features.
Abaft the helm seating, a work-station with a sink and freshwater faucet can be equipped with either a grill or a mini fridge. The station also includes raw- and freshwater washdown spigots, and a Yeti Tundra 65 slides out from underneath. There are also three tackle drawers on the port side and a handy trash receptacle in a cabinet on the starboard side.
Twin insulated 132-quart insole fish lockers bracketing the aft deck ice down a catch. A 21-gallon livewell resides in the port quarter, and six rod holders along the transom bulkhead provide quick access to a stick, and there are under-gunwale racks for more rods.
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A beefy inward-opening door is built into the port side of the cockpit to ease boarding or hauling in a swordfish or big tuna. The transom gate in the starboard quarter offers access to the swim platform in case you need to work fish around the outboards.
If you’re looking for a stylish center-console that offers comfort, performance and serious fishing features, take a close look at the Scout 330 LXF.
Performance
Power: Twin Yamaha 425 XTO outboards
Load: 100 gal. fuel, two crew
Top Speed: 66.4 mph @ 6,100 rpm
Time to 30 MPH: 8.2 sec.
Best MPG: 1.5 @ 33.2 mph (3,500 rpm)
Hull
LOA: 32 ft. 9 in.
Beam: 10 ft. 4 in
Deadrise: 24 deg.
Dry Weight: 9,545 lb. (dry w/o engines)
Draft: 2 ft. 3 in.
Fuel: 265 gal.
Max Power: 900 hp
MSRP: $406,469 (base w/ twin Yamaha 425 XTOs and Helm Master)
Standout Options
- Electric fiberglass cockpit sunshade ($4,976)
- Retractable rod rack for hardtop ($4,593)
- Twin Garmin 8616 multifunction displays ($16,549)
Scout Boats
Summerville, South Carolina
843-821-0068
