Look at the Scout 288 LXF as a hardworking man who knows how to dress for a party. It blends the most elegant cockpit features with the most serious fishing amenities. It’s ready for dinner attire of AFTCO fishing duds and is equally at home on the sandbar. The 21-degree V-bottom hull cleaves seas and provides a smooth safe ride. The upswept bow—a Scout trademark—deflects unexpected rollers, keeping water away from the crew. With twin 300 hp Mercury outboards, it was on plane in a very snappy 4.6 seconds and hit 57 mph at wide-open throttle.
For versatility, the forward seating arrangement converts effortlessly between lounging and fishing configurations, with clever backrests and ample storage underneath—perfect for stowing everything from tackle to beach gear. Magnetic cushion fasteners hold upholstery firmly in place, remove easily and fall firmly into position as the magnets click together. No more pulled snaps or broken fingernails from pulling them apart.
The boat features an integrated carbon-fiber hardtop that is sound, sharp-looking and keeps the helm and much of the cockpit shaded. The helm is shielded by tempered glass and the dash is black acrylic. Ours had a huge widescreen Garmin large enough to display sonar, charting, engine data and digital switching—another trademark of Scout Boats. We liked the wheel on the left side of the station with the throttles and joystick handily to the right.
Cockpit amenities include a fold-out transom seat, a large livewell with dual access hatches, and a rigging station with a slide-out cooler and a freshwater sink. The rigging rod holders were nested in molded receivers, not just bolted on. Five optional rod holders in the hardtop and under gunwale rod holders offer anglers plenty of secure storage slots.
Access to the boat included a transom door with a platform and ladder, and a portside boarding door with a removable dive ladder.
The 288 LXF is a dual threat, ready to go toe to toe with fish or tux to tux in the party crowd.
High Points
- Lumishore Eclipse Full Spectrum Lighting Control transforms nighttime boating.
- Maretron MPower Digital Switching puts complete control at your fingertips.
- Integrated carbon-fiber hardtop includes fully enclosed windshields, dual spreader lights, and an overhead switch panel.
- Below deck in the center console is an electric porcelain head with a holding tank and a sink with shower.
- Fully walkable transom swim platform provides safe, comfortable surface for easy boarding, swimming, and watersports.
How We Tested
- Engines: Twin Mercury 300XL Verado V-8 ES AMS with Joystick/Skyhook
- Drive/Props: Outboard/MercuryRevolution 4 21-pitch stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 90 gal. Crew Weight: 450 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| MSRP: | $410,013 (as tested with options); $302,452 (base with twin Mercury 225XL FourStroke V-6 DTS black; includes power steering) |
| LOA: | 28’9″ |
| Beam: | 9’9″ |
| Draft (max): | 2’0″ (approx.) |
| Dry Weight: | 5,600 lb. (without engines) |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | Yacht Certified |
| Fuel Capacity: | 188 gal. |
Scout – Summerville, South Carolina; scoutboats.com
