Scout 420 LXF Review

The magnificent Scout 420 LXF takes center console luxury to an entirely new level.

Summerville, South Carolina-based Scout Boats enjoys a well-earned reputation for building some of the highest quality center consoles, dual consoles and bay boats on the water. So when the company announced plans to unveil a bigger, more luxurious flagship for its center console line, plenty of prospective buyers sat up and took notice. The result is the magnificent Scout 420 LXF, a beautifully designed center console that neatly blends serious offshore fishing features with opulent luxury for family cruising.

Scout spent more than three years completing various aspects of R&D for the 420 model before it made its debut. The company devoted over 400 hours testing the epoxy-infused double stepped hull alone, which was developed specifically for this model. Epoxy-infusion provides more stability in the hull while reducing the overall weight in the boat. The result is not only sportscar-like handling and top-end speeds of over 70 mph, but surprising fuel economy at the same time.

Seen from above, an electric lift raises the bow floor panel to become a pedestal-mount table; raising it mid-way allows the addition of a removable cushion between the bow seats to convert this space to a huge sun pad. The twin forward-facing lungers are on the front face of the console.

The fun begins up in the bow of the Scout 420 LXF, where luxurious wrap-around seating features buttery-soft yet durable Brisa upholstery. An electric lift raises the bow floor panel to become a pedestal-mount table; raising it mid-way allows the addition of a removable cushion between the bow seats to convert this space to a huge sun pad. Double forward-facing loungers on the front face of the console create a living room-like environment for conversation, or just an ideal spot to stretch out and soak up the rays.

The helm comes with three Garmin 15-inch multi-function displays standards, which can be upgraded to triple 19-inch displays.

The brilliantly designed console includes a large storage compartment up front, with a starboard side locker for boat hooks, mops, lines and other gear. On its port side, a large door opens to provide access to the air conditioned cabin below. That’s where you find appointments that more closely resemble the elegance of a private jet. In the galley you’ll find a two-burner glass stove cooktop, a microwave, a galley sink and a drawer refrigerator, with stainless accents throughout. Serve your meal on the high/low electric-release marine teak table, then retract it and catch a movie on the a flush mount 32-inch flat screen TV with DVD player before turning in. Of course there’s an enclosed shower area with sump and an enclosed head area with a full size toilet and sink with hot and cold water. Sleeping accommodations are two single beds come together to make one large King berth if desired.

Remember – you’re still in a center console boat. That is an astounding amount of space for a 42-foot boat.

The upper helm station is compact, but with everything needed for a full day of fishing.

Back up on deck of the Scout 420 LXF, three Captain’s chairs face the modern glass helm, which features three 15-inch Garmin multi-function screens as standard equipment, with three 19-inch screens available as an upgrade. The boat also comes standard with a Garmin helm Wi-Fi router, an audiophile Fusion stereo with Bluetooth connectivity, eight seven-inch speakers, an amp, a remote control on the forward deck, and a JBL sound bar in the cabin. The helm also contains controls for an anchor windlass, a wash down hose, the water heater, a Kohler generator, the electric bow table and the air conditioning.

The aft-facing seat on the leaning post conceals a huge amount of storage space in its base.

Joystick docking comes standard, while a bow thruster is available as an option. Further options include a 5-N-1 Performance Leaning Post with second row seating, and a Seakeeper Gyro Stabilizer that keeps the boat “living room stable” in even a heavy broadside chop. Boaters who frequent bigger waters will definitely want that upgrade – the Seakeeper is a wonderful innovation that’s worth its weight in gold.

With quad 300s, the 420 LXF will achieve top speeds of over 70 mph. Quad 350s or 400s are also available.

Scout’s attention to detail includes a standard cockpit refrigerator with an ice maker, a rear-facing cockpit seat and a fold-down seat on the transom that provides further seating options. A keychain fob provides remote operation of the boat’s digital switching, allowing owners to power up the battery switches or activate equipment such as the lights, air conditioning or stereo at the touch of a button.

As a semi-custom boat, the Scout 420 LXF includes the option of adding additional features like radar, satellite television, a cockpit grill, an electrically-operated cockpit sun shade and a port-side dive platform as desired.