Month: July 2016

Even without upgrades, Scout boats are some of the finest boats on the water. However, with a few additions, you can increase your boat’s value and enhance your overall personal enjoyment. Scout offers a range of upgrades that you can add to your boat, encompassing enhanced performance, fishing, water sports and more, all to help you get the most out of your boat.

Note: Some of these upgraded are standard, optional, or after-market features, depending on the boat you purchase.

OUTRIGGERS

Outriggers are an offshore angler’s best friend. If you are trolling with lures, it can be easy to get your lines tangled, but outriggers help spread out the distance between lines and help to keep them separated. Rigged with trolling lines set at specific distances, outriggers look a bit like giant fishing rods hanging off the side of the boat. They are designed to not only keep your lines separate but also to help you cover more water and hopefully catch more fish.

TOW HOOKS

You never know when a tow hook is going to come in handy. If you fall victim in a preventable boating accident, for example, you’ll likely thank your stars that you decided to add a tow hook to you boat. When you need to call emergency help, having a tow hook where assistance can tie on could be a potential lifesaver. Tow hooks are also used when the craft is used as a yacht tender, which is a popular use for Scout boats.

SWIM PLATFORMS

The swim platform adds fun and convenience to your aquatic adventures. These platforms, located at the back of the boat, allow easy access to and from the water, making the vessel perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving.

SKI PYLONS

Ski pylons raise the connection point between the boat and the ski rope, keeping the rope out of the water and centered behind the vessel. These are extremely popular on ski boats, and they can be used to enhance wake boarding, tubing, and other water sports. If you’re going to use your boat mostly for water sports, a ski pylon is a must.

POWER POLE ANCHORS

If you’ve ever seen a bass boat with two short rods sticking up on either side of the motor, then you’ve also seen power pole anchors. These hydraulically-powered rods lower into the water, allowing the boat to stay in position in shallow depths, usually no more than three or four feet. They are extremely handy for anyone fishing in shallow areas, including intertidal locations or weed beds.

TRIM TABS

Anyone who’s driven a small or medium-sized boat has experienced the problem of bow-rise. This is when you accelerate the boat and the front lifts high above the water, blocking your forward view until it planes out. While this is a common issue, trim tabs, which are short tabs at the back of the boat, help alleviate the problem by reducing how high the front will rise. This helps you get to plane quicker, allows you to plane at lower speeds, and can correct listing on either side.

CREATE THE RIGHT BOAT FOR YOUR NEEDS

From large cruising boats to small fishing crafts, Scout Boats has the right luxury fishing boat to suit your needs!

Use our online boat customizer to build the best boat for your needs today!

Like cars and trucks, boats need proper registration to go on the water. This registration helps each state maintain quality waters, enhance safety, and ensure excellent boating for future generations.

No matter what type of boat you are buying, you should understand boat registration and why it’s important.

REGISTRATION WILL OCCUR IN YOUR STATE

First off, it’s important to remember that registration will be conducted with the state government where you live. This means that the rules and requirements for registering a boat in South Carolina will be different than the rules in Kansas, California, or New York. The boat’s registration will usually happen either through the state’s DMV or a fish and wildlife agency, such as the DNR. For boats that require registration, the certificate or sticker must be present if the boat is on the water.

Remember that the trailer will need to be registered too, and you’ll likely need proof of insurance and other documents that prove ownership.

WHAT BOATS NEED TO BE REGISTERED?

While registration requirements will vary by state, in general you must register any boat with a motor, be it gas, diesel, or electric. Essentially, if the boat’s main source of motion doesn’t involve physical work, (i.e. paddling) it will have to be registered. Therefore, in most states, all motorboats, no matter the size, use, or type, will have to be registered.

WHY IS BOAT REGISTRATION REQUIRED?

There are many reasons why state and local governments require boat owners to register their crafts. While car registration money goes to the maintenance and safety of road and highways, boat registration helps maintain excellent waters for our nation’s boaters. When you register your boat, you are doing your small part to keep the waters safe and clean, helping ensure an enjoyable pastime for current and future boaters and anglers. The fee that you pay will both protect and enhance the waters in your state, and in some areas, the registration paper serves as documentation that you are the rightful owner.

HOW MUCH DOES BOAT REGISTRATION COST?

The cost of registering a boat will generally be very affordable, especially for smaller crafts and light fishing boats. The price, depending on your state, usually starts around $20 for smaller crafts and goes up to about $50 for larger boats. Generally, the cost of boat registration will go up with the value of the boat, so the more you pay for a craft the more you can expect to pay in registration fees.

FIND YOUR PERFECT VESSEL WITH SCOUT BOATS

Scout has the right boat for your specific needs. Whether you want a small boat for fishing the intertidal flats or a large boat for offshore adventures, you’ll find the perfect vessel with all of your favorite amenities.

Use our Build Your Scout feature to create the perfect boat for you!

When you purchase a car or truck, you take it for a nice long test drive, making sure it has comfortable seating, a smooth ride, and all the right amenities. Shouldn’t you do the same for your boats?

When you properly test a boat, you are ensuring you take home a craft that accommodates your needs and provides excellent performance and safety. Before you purchase a boat, keep these handy tips in mind, and you’ll end up with a vessel that can keep you happy for years!

CONSIDER HOW YOU PLAN TO USE THE BOAT

It’s important to always keep in mind why you want a boat in the first place. Do you want something that is large and spacious for cruising with a big group? Do you want to go fishing in shallow waters with one other person? Do you want something that is the perfect size for pulling skiers and wake-boarders? Will you boat on rivers or open seas? How much storage will you need? Remember these important points throughout your boat test drive.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE OVERALL SIZE

Boat size is strongly related to your needs. Make sure you are paying attention to the overall length and width of the boat. This is not just for statistical measures, but also for the feel. Does it feel spacious or does it feel cramped? Can you walk comfortably from front to back? Can you store a cooler without creating a tripping hazard?

LOOK FOR FAST ACCELERATION WITH MINIMAL BOW RISE

Now it’s time for some fun! When you lower the throttle, how much rise is there in the bow? A well-designed boat will have minimal bow rise so you can maintain visibility during acceleration. In the same aspect, the boat should also plane quickly, meaning it will get to a state where it rides flat (or close to flat) in minimal time.

HOW WELL DOES IT TURN?

Now that you’re moving, take some time to test the steering of the boat. For safety, make sure everyone riding with you knows you’re going to take a few turns, and never violently jerk the wheel. Instead, smoothly turn the wheel to one direction, then the other. Does it stay flat? Does it maintain stability and control? This is very important for handling and overall safety in your craft.

TEST THE FEATURES

Before you’re done with your test drive, take the time to test all the accessory features and conveniences. This can include electronics, the bilge pump and the livewell aerator. Any mechanical or electronic system that is designed to increase convenience and boating pleasure should be tested for proper functionality.

ASK ABOUT AVAILABLE WARRANTIES

When purchasing a new boat, always ask about available warranties. Depending on the manufacturer, there may be warranties for the motor, hull, and electronics. Each boat will be different, however, so make sure you discuss this with a sales representative. For the record, Scout Boats come with fantastic warranties that make boating more affordable and less stressful!

TEST DRIVE A SCOUT: YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED!

With a top-quality dealership network, Scout Boats can help you find the right craft for luxurious fishing and cruising! Contact us to set up a test drive of one of our world-class boats today.

Boating is one of the best activities for anyone who enjoys being outside. Unfortunately, boating can also be dangerous if certain precautions are not followed. With the right training and knowledge, however, boating can be a safe, enjoyable hobby for many people. One of the ways to increase boating safety is to become certified in proper boating techniques, which may be easier than you think.

WHY GET YOUR BOATER’S LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION?

Legality, rules, and regulations aside, there is one universal reason you should become certified or get your boating license: safety. When you are formally trained on the latest techniques for safe and proper boating, you are far less likely to have any accidents.

According to the American Boating Association, there are over 7,000 boating accidents reported each year, and the U.S. Coast Guard has determined that 70% of these accidents are caused by human error—not craft or environmental conditions.

With lakes, rivers, channels, and other bodies of water becoming increasingly crowded, it stands to reason that with more people who are boat-safety certified, our waters will be much safer. If that’s not enough to convince you, there are also potential discounts on boat insurance for people who are licensed or certified. You could argue that boater’s safety training is not only a great way to increase your knowledge but also a great money-saving investment!

BOATER’S EDUCATION IS A STATE-BY-STATE ISSUE

It’s simple to see how important boater’s safety training is for anyone who intends to operate a watercraft. But what are the actual rules and regulations? In this case, it depends on where you live, as each state sets their own guidelines for boating safety certifications and licenses.

For example, Scout’s home state of South Carolina requires that anyone younger than the age of 16 must complete boater’s education before operating a vessel powered by a 15 HP motor or larger without adult supervision. However, the state of Alaska has no requirements on boating certification whatsoever. It all depends on where you live and where you will be boating. Make sure you understand the regulations in your area before you cruise on the water.

GETTING CERTIFIED

Generally, the boater’s certification is available in two options: an instructor-led course and an online self-study. Both types give a strong foundational knowledge of boating safety, emergency procedures, and good seamanship. While there is usually a fee for the online courses, many of the instructor-led courses are free. The in-person courses are hosted in a wide variety of venues, including outdoor stores, churches, community buildings, parks, and college campuses.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

When you enroll in these courses, either online or in-person, you will learn a wide variety of skills that make you a better boater. These include: how to identify approaching vs leaving boats in the dark, how to maintain stability in wakes, how to handle overboard situations, and more.

Whether you are legally required or not, we strongly encourage you to take a boating safety course. You have nothing to lose, and you can provide a much safer boating experience for you, your friends, your family, and other people on the water.

FIND A SAFE, RELIABLE VESSEL FROM SCOUT

You can find a high-quality boat that will give you performance, reliability, and safety with Scout.

Visit Scout Boats today and check out our large selection of luxury fishing boats!