Month: February 2018

Buying a boat can be tough. You have to decide on the right size, the right features, and the right price for your budget. In many cases, people will choose a used boat over new. While there is certainly nothing wrong with purchasing a quality used boat, this may not be the right choice for everyone. To help you decide whether to buy a new or used boat, let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both options.

ADVANTAGES OF BUYING A USED BOAT

When deciding to buy a new or used boat, Price is by far the biggest reason to go the pre-owned route. While you can certainly find expensive used boats, if you want a reasonable vessel that fits within a tight budget, you will likely choose a used option. Not only is the price lower, but like a used car, much of the value depreciation has already happened, so a used boat will hold its value better as well. You’ll also have the choice of buying from a dealer or a private seller.

The disadvantage, of course, is that you really never know what you’re going to get, and you could be stuck with a lemon. The boat may have been driven hard and treated rough, so you need to be extremely wary and inspect all the important components, including the hull and motor. With used boats, you may also have worn out seats, broken levers, and other issues that may not become noticeable until you’re out on the water.

ADVANTAGES OF BUYING A NEW BOAT

When you buy a new boat, you can get exactly what you want from your craft. As an example, take a look at our Build Your Scout feature. This option allows you to build the exact boat you want, with all the right features and conveniences to fit you needs. With used boats, you essentially have to take what’s available. New boats are clean, neat, and shiny; they’re not beat up and the motors are reliable and trustworthy. While it’s certainly possible, you’ll rarely have engine troubles with a new boat – the same can’t be said for used. For reliability and quality, many people choose new boats. Also, if anything goes wrong with a new boat, you usually have the backing of a manufacturer’s warranty, which helps reduce or eliminate the overall cost of repairs.

Price, however, it the real downside to new boats. You will, in most cases, pay more for your new boat than if you were to buy a comparable used boat. You’ll also have to assume most of the value depreciation, although if you buy a high-quality boat like a Scout your depreciation could be less.

FIND OUTSTANDING BOATS FROM SCOUT

Ultimately, making the decision to buy a new or used boat can be a challenge. If you decide on a new boat, make sure you take a look at the complete lineup from Scout. From river fishing to open-ocean adventures, we have the right boat to fit your specific purposes.

Use our online customization tool to Build Your Scout today!

At Scout Boats, we take pride in creating some of the finest vessels you can find on the water. We use advanced hulls that are created in-house by our professional development and engineering team, we install high-quality materials that bring comfort and relaxation, and we make sure to include top-quality fishing features so you can enjoy every trip.

All of our boats are outstanding, but these are a few of our best-value center console boats. Note: Prices may vary, please contact Scout Boats or visit one of our dealers for current pricing.

215 XSF

Using our revolutionary NuV3 hull, this boat has ample room for a large group yet maintains a smooth, efficient ride on the water. Like all of our hulls, the one on the 215 XSF is made from 100% hand-laid fiberglass and has a comfortable beam of eight feet. This gives your group, which can be as big as nine people riding in the boat, plenty of room to relax.

While you can upgrade the craft to your liking, standard options include an aerated bait well, premium gel coat, and a raw water wash down in the live well.

195 SPORTFISH

The 195 Sportfish gives you the tremendous fishing experience and luxuries you expect while still being one of the best value center console boats available. With the relatively-low starting price, you get standard features like flush-mount rod holders, BayStar hydraulic steering, and LED under-gunnel lights.

It has a person capacity of seven and comes with a standard Yamaha F115XB motor, giving you plenty of power to match the efficient, streamlined hull. You’ll be able to enjoy the water and catch your limit with this affordable center console boat.

175 SPORTFISH

This craft is a great example of the dedication to superior engineering at Scout Boats. The light and efficient 175 Sportfish can cruise over shallow water thanks to a draft of only ten inches. Despite the shallow depth, it still maintains outstanding performance and a smooth ride from the dock to your favorite fishing destination.

With standard features such as an aerated live well, captain’s chairs, and a 72-quart cooler, this boat gives you the luxury you desire while maintaining an affordable price tag.

177 SPORT

The 177 Sport is a versatile fishing boat that can be used in rivers, lakes, intertidal areas, and bays. It runs with ease on both inshore and offshore waters, giving you access to virtually any type of fishing. It also has a flared bow, which helps deflect spray so you and your passengers have a comfortable ride.

This boat has standard features that include sports seats, an aerated console bait well, and vertical rod holders, giving you more enjoyment and a wonderful value.

BUILD YOUR SCOUT TODAY

Want to find out more about these best value center console boats? Ready to get your dream craft in the water? Shop Scout boats today and use our convenient online “Build Your Scout” feature to start the process!

Owning your own boat: it’s been your dream since you graduated high school and left home. You couldn’t wait until that day when you had a good job and strong savings so you could purchase the exact boat you want, with all the fishing features needed for a successful outing. You’re finally in a position to buy, but your life has changed. You now have a spouse and children, and buying a boat isn’t as simple as you thought. You don’t just need a fishing boat, you need a family boat. Choosing the perfect craft can be tough, but if you are looking for the best fishing boats for a family, these are some of the features and characteristics you should look for…

SPACIOUS CASTING DECKS

If you have ever fished with children, you know how hard it can be to keep their lines in the water. All too often, a child’s line is tangled and in a tree…or dad’s shirt…or mom’s hair. Having a large casting deck allows kids to cast with less chance of problems.

ENTERTAINMENT ELECTRONICS

Kids can get bored easily, so if you are going out on the water, make sure you have entertainment features, especially if it’s going to be a long trip. With Scout Boats, you can find a wealth of standard and optional features, including Bluetooth connectivity, televisions, and even DVD players. All of these features help your family stay entertained during long offshore adventures.

A COMFORTABLE CABIN

Sometimes people need an escape from the sun and heat, and having a comfortable cabin gives your family better rest and relaxation. In fact, you can find a Scout with an air-conditioned cabin, giving you comfort during the hot days common off the coast of Texas, Florida, and the Carolinas.

SKI PYLON

Another great activity for the family is skiing and tubing. By adding a ski pylon, you can take a break from fishing and add some real excitement by pulling kids (or adults) around on the water.

SWIM PLATFORM

While you might be able to spend the whole day fishing, your family is probably going to need a break at some point. What can they do? Well since you’re on the water, you might as well go swimming! The best fishing boats for a family double as swimming vehicles. A swim platform towards the back of the boat turns your fishing vessel into a swimming dock, creating fun for kids of all ages.

DINING & DRINKING CONVENIENCE

When you take to the water, you want to create a wonderful all-around experience for your family. Eventually, people will get hungry and thirsty, so having features for food preparation, such as a microwave, an onboard grill, and a convenient dining table are essential. You can even add features like coffee makers and wine coolers for the adults.

A SCOUT BOAT IS PERFECT FOR YOUR FAMILY

Explore our lineup of luxury fishing boats, and contact our staff to learn more! With fishing features, luxury materials, and enhanced convenience, these are simply the best fishing boats for a family. With Scout Boats, you can maintain an excellent lifestyle on the water.

If you are interested in freshwater fishing, you need the right boat. Make sure you have a craft that can handle lakes and rivers by choosing one of the best freshwater fishing boats from Scout. With a full selection of top-quality crafts, we have the right boat to match your freshwater needs!

380 LXF

When you think of freshwater fishing boats, you likely think of smaller boats that are no more than 20 feet in length. But if you live near the Great Lakes or any of America’s larger lakes, like Mille Lacs in Minnesota, or Lake Tahoe on the border of California and Nevada, you can enjoy large luxury boat without the open ocean.

The 380 LXF is a 38-foot fishing boat that has all the features you need for an outstanding freshwater-fishing experience. If you are going after salmon on Lake Michigan, for example, you can use the cranking outriggers to place more lures in the water, increasing your chances of success.

The boat is fully loaded with luxury features, including comfortable seating and world-class amenities so you can enjoy the ride from the marina to the fishing hole.

255 Dorado

For many anglers, the 255 Dorado is an ideal fishing boat. This craft if comfortable on large rivers such as the lower Mississippi and Missouri, and it can give you outstanding comfort while helping you catch your favorite species.

This boat has everything you need for a wonderful fishing experience. Standard features include a recirculating bait well, a freshwater wash down, and starboard-side gunnel rod holders. It also has optional features like a fiberglass hardtop so you can escape the sun on a long day of fishing.

Throughout your fishing trip, you’ll also be able to relax in comfort. The 255 Dorado has a capacity for 11 people with seating that is made with durable and comfortable materials.

177 Sport

This is the ideal boat for anglers of all types, including freshwater fishermen. It has a dependable platform that allows you to access the water from all angles and has many of the standard features that you would expect from a larger luxury boat.

To create an excellent fishing experience, we have given this boat standard features such as a 72-quart cooler, three vertical rod holders, and two tackle trays. All of these features combine to make the 177 Sport an ideal craft for fishing on rivers and lakes.

When you are cruising to your fishing spot, you can enjoy optional luxuries like Bluetooth stereo and JL audio speakers, giving you an entertaining experience even when you don’t have a line in the water.

FIND THE BEST BOAT FOR YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS

Contact Scout Boats today and we’ll help you choose the ideal boat for your fishing goals. From freshwater fishing boats to offshore crafts, we have everything to keep you happy on the water.

You can also use our Build Your Scout feature to create the exact boat for your unique preferences!