hot new fishboats ##The Scout 215 XSF offers plenty of capability in a 21-foot platform, along with some features that make it comfortable for the entire family.
Scout 215 XSF
Creative Thinking
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ou can’t fault Scout Boats for being too traditional, and their new 215 XSF is evidence that no matter how long this company keeps building boats, they continue to come up with cool new perks for us anglers to enjoy. Case in point: when was the last time you saw a 21-foot center console with a coffin box in the bow? Not only does it give you a fishbox big enough to chill down a dozen trophy stripers, but it also makes for a comfy lounger with swing-down arm rests. Or check out the back of the leaning post. It has four integrated rodholders with molded fiberglass around them, the likes of which you won’t find on competing craft. If you’re familiar with Scout boats, you probably know they have a well-deserved reputation for quality, as well as innovation. Again, the 215 XSF provides proof. Flip up any hatch and you’ll find that it’s finished on both sides. Sit on any seat, and you’ll feel thick marine vinyls and multi-density foam. Pop open the livewell, and you’ll notice that it’s gasketed. I wish they’d used an overflow instead
Quick Facts 26 Premier Issue FishTalkMag.com
of a stand-pipe in the well, which can get in the way when netting bait. I also wish the well and washdown didn’t share the same pump, which decreases flow volume and can decrease the pump’s lifespan. Fortunately, you can order a dedicated pump as an option, which serious anglers should consider. On the other hand, the increased plumbing increases cost. And here’s the surprise in that regard: a relatively low cost is one of the high points of this boat. Anyone who’s gone shopping for 21-foot center consoles lately knows that even “cheap” models push $40K, and topshelf models can break $80,000. Yet even though the 215 XSF represents a top-shelf choice, it can be had for around $50,000. And that’s with a Yamaha F150, which provides plenty of juice. Cruise it in the low 30s, and top-end hits 45 mph. For a 21-footer, that really is all the speed most anglers need. Thanks to the choppy nature of the Chesapeake, you can’t run a 21-foot boat much faster than that most days, anyway. If you have kids, you’ll be happy to know that although the 215 XSF is a serious fish-
boat, it isn’t single-minded. It comes with family pleasers such as a Fusion Bluetooth four-speaker stereo system, three USB ports, and a console head compartment. You can add some optional items, such as a removable ski/wakeboarding pylon, a removable teak bow cocktail table, and backrests for the bow seats. The 21-foot length is a popular one for Chesapeake anglers, and it’s no wonder. It’s big enough to take on some seas and offer some comfort, yet it’s still small enough to easily trailer, maintain, and gunkhole through small creeks and marshes. Traditionally, the 21-foot range was also considered quite affordable. While Scout can usually be counted on to buck tradition, we’re glad that in this way, the 215 XSF is a bit more conventional than most top-shelf, 21-foot boats.
Area Dealers
MarineMax at Bay Bridge Marina, Stevensville, MD, (410) 827-7371 or marinemax.com. MarineMax Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, (410) 732-1260 or marinemax.com. Sawyer Marine, Cecilton, MD, (410) 648-5467 or sawyermarine.com. Lynhaven Marine, Virginia Beach, VA, (757) 481-0700 or lynnhavenmarine.com. Prince William Marine Sales, Woodbridge, VA, 703/494-6611 or pwmarina.com. Short’s Marine, Millsborough DE, (302) 945-1200 or shortsmarine.com.
LOA: 21’6” | Beam: 8’6” | Displacement: 2776 lbs | Draft: 1’4” Transom Deadrise: 20 degrees | Fuel Capacity: 82 galLONS Water Capacity: 13 galLONS | Max HP: 250
