f you’re serious about finding a luxury crossover that you’d swear was designed specifically for the Great Lakes, you need to pay attention to the all-new 350 LXZ from Scout Boats. It’s the initial debut of the brand-new LXZ Series and the S-Class sophisticated masterpiece is truly unlike anything out on the market today. Simply put, it’s a high-end day cruiser, ideal for refined entertainment; with overnight accommodations should you choose to extend your adventure.

Extending your adventure is exactly what this Scout is all about. Highlights include a seating configuration built around plush, luxurious entertainment expectations; immense shade provided by the integrated epoxy-infused carbon fiber hardtop; a full glass windshield to protect from the elements complete with an electric sliding sun roof and side window vents; air conditioning above and below deck; swing-in side dive door; a gyro stabilizer; systems completely run on lithium ion batteries (no generator necessary); and at-home appointments throughout the model are just a brief snapshot of the standard and available optional features built into this must-have craft.

“We had been asking Scout for a large dual console boat from the day we signed on with them,” said Grant Rule from Maple City Marine, who has been a Scout dealer for five years in Chatham, Ontario. “We knew our consumers would love the center console technology mixed with a more all-weather rugged configuration. With all of the great family amenities, sleek lines, and rough water capability, it’s a great boat for any family on the Great Lakes. We think the LXZ will be a long-time staple on the Great Lakes.”

Luxury Defined

The S-Class, which consists of luxury models 33 feet in length and up, signifies the upper echelon of its lineup.

“It’s the highest level of luxury, similar to what you experience with high-end luxury automobiles,” says Alan Lang, director of sales and marketing for Scout. “The 350 LXZ is meticulously crafted with cutting-edge Epoxy Infusion Construction and the highest-performing dual Scout Stepped Hull Technology, while simultaneously pairing it with the finest sophisticated blend of appointments and technologies. Our S-Class denotes the most superior model for our customers.”

Sporty Sunroof

One of the vessel’s standout features is the Webasto 20 Series sliding electric sunroof, which is included in the standard equipment. The sunroof opens and closes at the touch of a button, and with an aluminum frame, it weighs only 100 pounds, so it should not affect the boat’s righting moment.

“Some of our favorite features on the new LXZ are the retractable sunroof with solar panels,” added Grant. “This is a great feature to get some fresh air flow through the enclosed cockpit and keep you powered up for long days or weekends on the lake. We have also had great response to the integrated SureShade that can be deployed to get your crew out of the sun on those hot days.”

Besides at Maple City Marine, the new model is also available through SkipperBud’s who is well established in the Great Lakes with several locations and has been offering Scout Boats since 2014.

“There are a ton of features in this new model,” shared SkipperBud’s Marketing Director Betsey Arvai. “That hard-top is so cool!  Not only does it provide a ton of shade but it also features an electric sun-roof! The Gyro stabilizer is a great feature for the Great Lakes too, making it a more comfortable ride for everyone.”

Feature-Rich

According to Lang, Scout’s vision was to create something elevated—in not only styling and innovation, but also performance. The manufacturer rep said they charted a course to re-imagine and perfect what a Luxury Crossover should be.

“This incredible model, complete with its stronger, sexier, faster hull design, will give you peak performance over any model perceived in its category, all with a ‘class-A finish,’” said Lang.

Another unique feature customers are interested in is the passenger-side Garmin display. It allows the crew to keep up with their destinations, stream videos, or watch the sonar for that perfect school of fish. The boat can also be equipped with the Seakeeper option to keep you stable and comfortable on those rough days on the lake.

“Overall we find this boat to be a great mix of luxury, practicality, and performance,” said Grant. “It’s capable of overnighting, a day at the sandbar, or a day of trolling for your favorite species of fish. This boat will be a home run for the Great Lakes.”

Why Scout

Maple City Marine was founded nearly seven decades ago by Jim and Marion Rule and when they were recently making a decision as to which premium center console to bring into the dealership they chose Scout for many reasons.

“Firstly, we were amazed by the quality of construction and the time that goes into the build process,” explained Grant. “Scout’s technology in the fiberglass process and hull design is second to none. Between the hull technology, lightweight epoxy infusion construction and precision-made components, it is hard to find a company that is capable of what Scout is doing. We also loved the idea that it was a family-owned company. We’ve been a Scout dealer for five years and right from day one they have been delivering us quality product and treating us like family.”

Great Lakes

The boat will be received very well in the Great Lakes, according to the SkipperBud’s rep who at the time was anticipating the arrival of the first Scout 350 LXZ to be delivered to the Midwest.

“Folks are excited to see this new model from Scout Boats,” said Betsey. “They are especially excited about the entertainment zones in the boat. There are not many models similar to this one. Below deck is so luxurious, the private head and shower really give boaters the ability to extend the day. This boat is different because it’s a day boat with a few extra luxury benefits. The Scout 350 LXZ model is centered on entertainment with comfortable accommodations for overnights. The best of boat worlds!”

When talking with potential customers, Maple City Marine has received a similar response with many pre-orders coming in prior to the first hull even being built.

“The dual console market has been underserved for so long and the introduction of this boat was long overdue and has been a hit with everyone searching for a premium dual console boat,” stated Grant. “We have also seen many die-hard center console consumers really considering the LXZ because of its capabilities and technology.”

Looking Ahead

While there is no such thing as the “perfect” boat for the Great Lakes, it’s hard to imagine what Scout could have done better with its new 350 LXZ.

“I think overall Scout hit the ball out of the park with this boat,” concluded Grant. “We wouldn’t change a thing about the new LXZ. All we can do is hope that they grow the LXZ lineup to meet everyone’s needs above and below 35 feet.”

The new model comes standard with twin Yamaha 425hp outboards with a maximum rating of up to 1,350hp, which is ideal when out on the Great Lakes.

“The horsepower alone is catching everyone’s eye,” added Betsey. “Scout Boats have consistently rolled out superior quality products with the most amazing attention to detail.”