This is my Scout Boat story. I live in Washington State where boating water is different than on the east coast. The waters are protected almost all the way to Alaska with only a few areas that are open to the ocean. Because this area is protected from the ocean the chop and distance between the waves is very short and can be extremely uncomfortable and some times dangerous when weather conditions are less than perfect. I had been looking to upgrade my tender to one a little larger (from 13’ to 15’) to try to get a better ride in adverse conditions (not to mention staying dry). I also needed a boat that was light weight but tough as nails.

After looking for a new boat for over a year, I was getting very frustrated. Then one day I drove by Camano Marine on Camano Island in Washington. I saw what I thought was the boat I was interested in sitting on their lot. The brakes went on and I went to look. The sales person said “lets take it for a ride” and I said , “no, it’s too nice of a day”. It would be a waste of his time and mine, however if he wanted to take me out on the next nasty day with 10-15 knot winds, then give me a call. To my surprise, he called a week later and we set out for a ride in what I would call less than desirable conditions to sell a 14 foot open boat (both wind rain and a little over a foot of chop). To the sales person’s surprise, when he asked me to take the helm, I told him the first test the boat had to pass was the landing a fish test. I had to feel safe with both of us against the gunwale on one side leaning over the edge. It passed that one with flying colors. Next test: Could the boat go 15 knots in the chop with out pounding my guts out? WOW! 30+ miles per hour with no pounding and no water other than rain in the boat. I was hooked immediately and bought the boat on the spot. You build an unbelievable boat!!

Now for the real test – will the boat catch fish?

Well, my wife sure thinks so. She caught the first fish out of our Scout (an 18 pound salmon). The next day she caught a 25 pound salmon that earned a $2,300 Prize in a local salmon derby.

Keep up the good work!

Bill & Francine Phillips
Camano Island, Washington