Scout 425 LXF
When paired with the brawny 600-hp Mercury outboards, the Scout 425 LXF is a luxe center console with speed to spare.
Over the past decade or so, the size and scope of center consoles has risen steadily to the point where it now seems like nearly every builder has a 40-foot-plus offering on its roster. Along with these boats, a commensurate need for massive outboard powerplants arose, perhaps most notable among them Seven Marine, which folded last January, creating a void that demanded supply. And industry stalwart Mercury was happy to step up to the plate. It’s 600-hp V12 Verado is an immensely powerful engine that is also both quiet and efficient. When paired with a stylish and amenity-laden center console like the Scout 425 LXF, it’s a combination that’s hard to beat.
Scout’s LXF line is its most plush (the “L” stands for luxury), and the 425 is the second-largest boat in the range, behind the 530. Imposing by nearly anyone’s standards for a center console, the 425 comes with standard equipment that would rival most full-sized convertibles. A Seakeeper 5, twin 40-gallon livewells, 92-gallon fishboxes, heated helm seats and other accouterments all come standard. Other details that make this boat stand apart from her competition include impressively welded joints and reticulating rocket launchers on the aft end of the hardtop that lower with the push of a button to make room for a sunshade to extend over the cockpit. And little things like the ridges in the Scout’s plentiful handholds make getting a grip on them that much easier.
Down below is a convertible berth, enclosed shower and head that stays nice and cool thanks to a 12,000-Btu air-conditioner. A small galley with a cooktop and microwave fill the space out, making it capable of accommodating overnights or even a weekend stay. All of the amenities are packaged in a sturdy yet light, resin-infused, stepped hull that is built to slice through chop at high speeds. And that’s a great trait to have considering the LXF’s power package.
Our test boat came equipped with twin 600-hp Mercury Verado 600s. The 425 can also be set up for trips for the rocketship-inclined among us, but the twins should be plenty fast for all but the most intrepid, as these engines are really something special. Whereas a boat powered by large Seven Marine’s would scream across the water sounding like it was being chased by a swarm of hornets, the Mercurys are Tesla quiet. What’s more, the steerable gearcase offers exquisite control at the wheel without turning any part of the engine that is above the waterline. It’s a little trippy to make a hardover turn and look back and see the cowls still at a perfect right angle to the transom, but you get used to it pretty quick. The 425 LXF comes with a plethora of other engine options, including multiple Yamaha setups and smaller Mercury packages, but if you’re looking for something with a little extra eye-grabbing pop both underway and at the docks, the big Mercs are what you want.
On the pins in the ICW off of North Palm Beach, Florida, I took the boat up to a top hop of 49 knots while burning 103 gallons per hour. Even at that speed the steering and hull gave me complete assurance of the boat’s safety. At a 40-knot cruise burning 61 gph the LXF slalomed crisply through the placid waters, exhibiting good bite on the surface, and turned a full loop in a boatlength and a half.
All in, the Scout 425 LXF with twin Mercury 600s is a perfectly powered and well-balanced boat that can be fished like a gentleman or cruised like a demon—scout’s honor.
Scout 425 LXF Specifications:
LOA: 42’2”
Beam: 13’1”
Draft: 2’4”
Displ.: 16,800 lb (dry, w/o engines)
Fuel: 500 gal.
Water: 69 gal.
Power: Various Mercury and Yamaha configurations up to 1,800-hp
Cruise Speed: 30 knots
Top Speed: 49 knots
