Scout 420 LXF: A New 42-Foot Center Console Debuts at the Miami Boat Show

Scout Boats will unveil its new 420 LXF center console at the Miami International Boat Show, joining other builders who recently introduced 40-plus-foot center consoles with four outboards. The 420 LXF represents Scout’s most ambitious build to date: the company’s largest model, its first center console designed for quad outboards and the first Scout constructed entirely with epoxy-infused cored fiberglass.

“We went into this with a no-holds-barred attitude to create the best 42-foot center console out there,” says Scout founder and president Steve Potts. The 420 LXF was under development for two full years and, according to Potts, represents the most exhaustively tested Scout ever built. The running surface alone underwent nine months of testing to refine ride, efficiency and handling.

Designed around a deep-vee, double-stepped hull, the 420 LXF combines contemporary styling with functional performance. Its pronounced bow flare, broken sheer and reverse transom give the boat a distinctive profile that is intended to be both timeless and attention-getting at the show and on the water. The hull form and stepped chines aim to deliver a smooth, dry ride while allowing the boat to plane quickly and maintain stability at higher speeds.

Power comes from a choice of quad Yamaha outboards—either F300s or F350s. With four F300s installed, Scout projects a cruising speed near 38 mph and a top speed in the mid- to upper-60-mph range, returning about 1.1 mpg for a range just under 500 miles on the standard 500-gallon fuel capacity. With the optional F350s, top speed rises, with Scout listing approximately 71 mph top speed and a 42 mph cruise when fitted with F350s.

Beyond performance, Scout is emphasizing on-deck innovation and comfort. The 420 LXF introduces a hydraulic hull-side beach platform measuring 72 by 30 inches and covered in teak. The platform folds neatly into the hull when not in use, preserving clean lines while providing easy access for swimming, diving and beach-hopping. Scout’s approach is to integrate useful features unobtrusively so they are available when wanted and hidden when not.

The layout balances social spaces, fishing utility and overnight comfort. Forward, a dedicated seating area features a teak dinette table that rises electrically from a recessed deck locker. A lounge wraps the forward side of the console, creating a comfortable social zone. The helm is designed for three seated crew and accommodates three 19-inch multi-function displays within the console. Aft-facing seating for three sits on the mezzanine, providing additional guest seating and sightlines to the cockpit.

Below deck, the cabin is appointed for extended stays, with a twin berth, a large drop-down table, a compact galley and an enclosed head with a separate shower—allowing owners to comfortably cruise overnight or use the boat for multi-day trips. Scout furnished standard creature comforts such as heat and air conditioning and a generator to support extended trips and electronics.

Standard equipment on the 420 LXF is comprehensive: trim tabs, C-Zone digital switching, three Garmin multi-function displays, a windlass, generator, fishboxes, rod holders, plentiful storage compartments and an Eco-Teak swim platform. Optional upgrades include a tower with a second helm station, Seakeeper gyro stabilization, a bow thruster, underwater cameras, a SureShade retractable awning and a cockpit table or fighting chair—allowing buyers to tailor the boat for offshore fishing, family cruising or sportfishing tournaments.

Specifications

LOA: 42 feet, 2 inches

Beam: 13 feet, 1 inch

Displacement: 23,700 pounds (full load)

Hull type: double-stepped deep-vee

Draft: 26.5 inches

Power: quad Yamaha F350s or F300s

Transom deadrise: 22 degrees

Speed: 71 mph top, 42 mph cruise (with F350s)

Tankage: 500 gallons fuel, 70 gallons water, 18 gallons waste

Price: $650,000 (with F350s)

Contact: Scout Boats, Charleston, South Carolina, (843) 821-0068

Brokerage listings powered by BoatQuest.com

February 2015 issue