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The 350 Abaco is the biggest boat Scout has ever built, and because of that you'd assume that the builder would keep it simple—create a vessel with time-tested features that would subtly introduce the brand to the 30-foot-plus market without risking the pitfalls associated with new engineering. Well, the company didn't choose that path, and I say it built a better boat as a result. With at least 15 smart innovations, woodless construction, a reverse-shoebox hull-to-deck joint, and 50-mph-plus speeds, the 350 is more than ready to compete in this popular size range.
But moving up to it took a while: Scout spent four years developing the 350. According to company founder and owner Steve Potts, the majority of that time was spent on research. "We looked at all these boats this size...they didn't feel custom. They felt like large trailable boats." He continued, "We also spent time on larger sportfishermen and saw their custom feel and tried to duplicate that."
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As soon as I boarded the 350 at Sea Isle Marina in Miami, I found features that were not only reminiscent of a custom build, but also innovative. Set in the aft gunwale are freshwater-flush valves that allow you to clean the salt out of the twin 350-hp Yamaha V8 outboards with a simple twist of the levers—a giant step up from tilting the motors and attaching a hose. The flushing system pulls directly from the 60-gallon freshwater tank aboard, as does the washdown station on the foredeck, so your only job will be to unravel the dockside hose to fill the water tank. Below the valves is a benchseat covered in Ultraleather that folds down from the aft bulwark. Although a flip-down bench is nothing new, it's a space saver that leaves the whole cockpit in play while you're fighting fish. My test boat did not have a fighting chair, but the sole is reinforced with a backing plate for anyone who wants to mount one.
There were other innovations near the front of the cockpit that make hooking the big one easier as well. Instead of mounting rod holders across the aft portion of the overhead or in a centerline leaning post, Scout placed four to port and four to starboard at hand level just aft of the helm area to ensure that there'll be no delay between getting a yank and grabbing the rod. Just below the port-side rod holders is a bait-prep station that can hold three handmade trays up top. And underneath is a custom, molded-in bait freezer with integrated cooling coils just large enough to fit a day's worth of ballyhoo.
There are other conveniences quite literally in every direction. Besides the rod holders aft, optional manual teaser reels are inset into the overhead within reach of the helmsman sitting in the Pompanette chair. Against the port wall is a benchseat with a middle section that tilts down, creating two seats and allowing guests to sit facing one another. To starboard, a single seat in the aft corner comes with a tray table—complete with cupholder—that lifts out of the stowage cupboard in the bulwark.
Forward, the helm station is appointed with standard twin Raymarine E120s, a 14-inch Edson wheel, and Yamaha electronic engine readouts. According to Potts, Scout designed the helm to resemble the instrument panel of an automobile, with the gauges centered above the wheel in an easy-to-read display. But the feature that sets this one apart from your car's is the flip-down dashboard. After unhooking a few stainless steel clasps, you can lower the entire face of the helm and rest it against the Pompanette chair, giving you direct access to all the wiring. This significantly reduces the hassle for maintenance and replacement of helm components. Another labor-saver is found below, in the systems room. Much more common on larger boats, it has a finished interior, clean layout, clear labeling, and full access to almost every component.
Inside, the features Scout spent years planning are both practical and stylish. At the head of the floor-level berth under the stairs, for example, there's a carbon-monoxide detector. The woodwork is all grain-matched cherry veneer backed with balsa, courtesy of a company in Massachusetts that specializes in aircraft interiors.
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