Best Boats For Beginners From Scout

Fish and Ski Boats
Fish and Ski Boats

Boating is a wonderful hobby that virtually anyone, from experienced mariners to land-locked novices, can enjoy. In this post, we’ll walk you through what to look for in the best boats for beginners and highlight some of the top models from Scout Boats. What To Look For

If you’re just starting in boating, you need to choose the right craft for your needs. With that in mind, we would suggest you look for three specific qualities from your boat: moderate size, manageable power, and a moderate price.

  • Moderate Size. You didn’t learn to drive behind the wheel of a massive semi-truck. Neither should you learn to pilot a boat on a large offshore vessel.
  • Manageable Power. You likely didn’t learn to drive in an overpowered muscle car. Likewise, learning to boat with a jet-powered racing craft may not be the best place to start.
  • Moderate Price. While boating is certainly enjoyable for all, some people don’t like it as much as others, and that’s okay. We would suggest choosing a moderately priced boat to see if ownership is right for you. If you find that you absolutely love boating, then you can always step into a more expensive, faster, and larger craft!

Beginner Boats From Scout

Here are some of the best boats for beginners in the Scout Boats lineup!

210 Dorado

210 dorado

Model Page

At 21 feet in length, the 210 Dorado is a manageable dual-console boat that can handle a wide variety of waters, ranging from shallow flats to large lakes and bays. Features include flush-mount rod holders, dual swim platforms, and Bay Star hydraulic steering. Equipped with a 150-horsepower motor (standard), the boat gives you plenty of power but also maintains a level of manageable performance. It also has plenty of room for up to eight people, so your first boat can be enjoyed by your friends and family.

231 XS

Model Page

If you want an elite fishing craft as your first boat, the 231 XS is a great option. It can get you to the best fishing spots in a hurry, but it doesn’t overwhelm you with power. At about 23 feet in length, it can easily be handled in crowded marinas and bays, and it gives plenty of technology including Bluetooth speakers and Sea Star hydraulic steering. With fishing features as well as comfort and versatility, this is a wonderful family boat that can also deliver a superior fishing experience.

195 Sportfish

195 sportfish

Model Page

While this is one of the smaller boats in our lineup (but certainly not the smallest), this craft gives you outstanding comfort and an enjoyable ride. The hull was created by our own experts, so it meets a higher standard for performance and efficiency. With a 150-horsepower Yamaha motor, the craft propels across the water with ease but still allows for manageable performance. Standard features include rod holders, a swim platform, bait well, and stern jump seats, allowing you to have everything you need without increasing the price through optional equipment.

Find the Perfect Boat for All Experience Levels

These are just a few of the boats from Scout. If you want help choosing the right craft for your needs and experience level, contact our staff today. We’ll explain all the features and characteristics of any model so you can make the right choice for your first boat!

Best Shallow Water Boats From Scout

177S family fishing
177S family fishing

Having a shallow-water boat allows you to enjoy some of the most exciting fishing possible. While larger boats can safely take you to the deep blue water, allowing you to catch massive trophies, smaller boats allow you to cruise over some of the shallowest water you can find. Why is this an advantage? Because shallow waters often hold hungry, aggressive species, as well as sportfish that test your angling skills. Here are some of the best shallow water boats from Scout Boats.

175 Sport Dorado

175 Sport Dorado

Draft: 10 inches

View Model Page

The 175 Sport Dorado has all the features you need for exciting fishing. Wth a 10-inch draft, you can reach remote shallow water destinations untouched by many anglers. With a six-person capacity, you can bring a larger group along for the adventure, and with an aerated livewell and plenty of rod storage, you can all enjoy fishing in the shallows.

The boat can also be used for activities beyond shallow-water fishing, as the craft is ideal for tubing with kids or simply cruising the water with your friends and family.

175 Sportfish

175 Sportfish

Draft: 10 inches

View Model Page

To create this boat, we used the finest engineering and designs, resulting in a boat that can handle open waters like bays and lakes. Yet is fully capable of cruising over shallow waters. You’ll have versatility that is hard to find from most water crafts, as well as numerous fishing features that enhance your pleasure on the water.

This center console boat can do it all, and you’ll love the comfortable layout and precise handling, as well as the smooth ride. With standard features that include a swim platform, captain’s chairs, and pull-up cleats, the 175 Sportfish has all the amenities you expect.

177 Sport

177 Sport

Draft: 10 inches

View Model Page

No matter what your level of fishing, no matter what type of species you want to target, the 177 Sport can make it happen. This is a boat with a huge variety of standard features, including a flared bow that perfectly deflects sprays, keeping you dry while you cruise on the water.

The draft is shallow, and it has a beam (width) of 7-foot, 3-inches, giving you plenty of space as you fish, cruise, or lounge on the deck. With an aerated live well, flush-mounted rod holders, and two tackle trays, you’ll have all the right features for superior fishing.

Create the Perfect Boat for Your Needs

If you want to create the perfect shallow water fishing boat for your needs, use our Build Your Scout feature. You’ll be able to choose the right size for your needs and select the right features to enhance your enjoyment on the water.

Best Boats Under $30,000 from Scout

175 sport dorado
175 sport dorado

While Scout Boats is proud to offer some of the finest high-end luxury fishing boats on the market, we also understand that sticking to a budget matters to everyone, regardless of income or net worth. Our boats are crafted with premium materials, advanced designs, and some of the most sophisticated technologies available, but we also strive to make our boats affordable for any buyer. With that in mind, we offer several boats that come with a base price below $30,000. These boats, which come with all the luxury, refinement, and excellence that our buyers have come to expect, give you the chance to enjoy an elite boat at a price you can afford.

Here are some of the best boats under $30,000 from Scout Boats!

175 Sportfish – Base MSRP: $27,250*

175 Sportfish

If you want a nimble fishing machine that can help you reach some of the most remote and untouched spots on the water, you need the 175 Sportfish. Not only does this boat have a draft of only 10 inches, which allows you to cruise over shallow waters, it also has all the features required to make is an excellent family boat. Standard features include jump seats with bottom cushions, a swim platform with a ladder, and an Igloo 72-quart cooler. For the adventurous angler, you’ll have an aerated live-well, console rod holders, and flush-mounted rod holders at the stem.

175 Sport Dorado – Base MSRP: $29,650*

The 175 Sport Dorado is a dual-console boat that gives you an excellent combination of refinement and utility, making it an ideal fishing boat for families, as well as a great craft for the demanding angler who wants an elite vessel. It has space for 6 people, and can comes standard with conveniences like tilt steering, a swim platform, and a Fusion Bluetooth stereo system. You’ll appreciate the captain’s chair, full bow rail, USB plugs, and Bay Star hydraulic steering, which all come standard on this vessel.

177 Sport – Base MSRP: $24,150*

177S family fishing

As one of the most affordable boats in our lineup, the 177 Sport is an incredibly popular vessel that can deliver excellence in fishing while allowing you to cruise the water. This boat comes with a wide variety of standard equipment, including sport seating, tackle trays, a 2-scope telescoping ladder, and a 72-quart cooler. With a draft of 10 inches, this boat can help you reach an active fishing destination, and with a person capacity of 5, your entire group can enjoy the experience.

*MSRP (Manufacturer’s Stated Retail Price) is current as of April 9th, 2019. Prices are for example and general information only and do not reflect an official offer. Prices are subject to change, so contact a dealer for current and accurate pricing.

Find the Boat that Fits Your Needs

Whether you want a budget-minded boat or a luxury fishing vessel for offshore adventures, Scout Boats has the craft for you. Use our Build Your Scout feature to create the perfect model for your needs and budget.

Best Wakeboard Boats From Scout

210 Dorado Photo
210 Dorado Photo

Scout Boats is proud to offer luxury boats that are perfect for many different activities. While we are known for our outstanding fishing features, our luxury crafts are also excellent for watersports like skiing and wakeboarding. The best wakeboard boats from Scout combine top-notch features, a balanced size, and superior craftsmanship. The final result is unforgettable excitement when you take to the water.

What to Look for in a Wakeboard Boat

To have the perfect boat for wakeboarding, you need the right features and amenities. Of course, comfortable seating and spacious decks are important for all boats, but you should also have features that are specific to watersports.

For size, a good wakeboard boat will be roughly 17 to 25 feet. Smaller boats won’t have the space required, while larger boats won’t deliver the acceleration needed for wakeboarding. One of the most important features is easy access from the water. A platform, as well as a ski ladder, is important for any wakeboard boat. You should also have a ski pylon, which lifts the rope roughly four feet from the surface, keeping it from being dragged by water. Storage is also crucial, as you’ll need space for wakeboards, extra ropes, straps, lifejackets, towels, and more. Finally, the boat needs enough speed and power to effectively lift and pull wakeboarders.

Best Boats From Scout

With the featured noted above in mind, you can choose the best wakeboard boats from Scout:

235 Dorado

235 Dorado

Of all the boats in our lineup, this one might be the perfect choice for wakeboarders. It has a manageable size of roughly 23 feet, and it comes with many features that make the boat perfect for watersports. It comes standard with a full transom swim platform, swim ladder, a transom rope light, and a transom walk-through door.

235 XSF

Boat Financing

If you want the same size of craft in a center-console layout, the 235 XSF is the boat for you. It also has excellent features that enhance your wakeboarding experience, including a large swim platform that makes entering and exiting the water simple. With plenty of storage and the ability to deliver power and speed, this boat is excellent for all types of watersports.

215 XSF

This boat has many features that make your boating experience a true delight, and wakeboarders will love all the different amenities, including ample space for storage and a useful swim platform on either side of the transom. This boat can also be equipped with a ski pylon, giving you better performance when being pulled behind the craft.

210 Dorado

210 dorado

The 210 Dorado has optional and standard features that make it an excellent wakeboarding boat. It can be equipped with trim tabs, which are useful for watersports, as well as a ski tow bar. With the Sea Star hydraulic steering, you’ll be able to maneuver the boat to deliver the best wakeboarding for your group.

World-Class Boats from a Leading Boat Builder

If you want a wonderful wakeboarding boat, contact Scout Boats today. Our boats have the finest craftsmanship and designs, giving you unmatched quality whether you are fishing, cruising, or wakeboarding!

530 LXF Scout Line Drawing

Build Your Scout

Click below to build your dream Scout model.