{"id":9153,"date":"2025-05-08T10:02:12","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T10:02:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=9153"},"modified":"2025-05-08T10:02:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T10:02:12","slug":"boat-test-redux-2025-scout-261-xss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=9153","title":{"rendered":"Boat Test Redux: 2025 Scout 261 XSS"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>    Boat Test Redux: 2025 Scout 261 XSS<br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><br \/>\n    <!-- no image --><br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><\/p>\n<div>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-Scout-261-DSC02882-1024x768.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image disable-lazyload\" alt=\"Scout 261 XSS running inshore\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-Scout-261-DSC02882-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-Scout-261-DSC02882-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-Scout-261-DSC02882-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-Scout-261-DSC02882-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-Scout-261-DSC02882.jpg 2000w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">The Scout 261 XSS performed well during this boat test.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy Scout<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignwide has-custom-font-size has-medium-font-size is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\" id=\"scoutVisit\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/scoutboats.com\/\" style=\"border-radius:5px;background-color:#007ca7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Visit Scout<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\" id=\"scoutBuild\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/scoutboats.com\/build-your-scout\/\" style=\"border-radius:5px;background-color:#007ca7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Build Your Scout<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\" id=\"scoutDealer\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/scoutboats.com\/dealer-locator\/\" style=\"border-radius:5px;background-color:#007ca7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Find a Scout Dealer<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>Editor\u2019s Note: <\/strong><em>Here\u2019s a treat for you. One of two boat tests of the same Scout Boats 261 XSS, each performed and written\u00a0by a different Boating editor. This one is by Charles Plueddeman. The other is by John Tiger, and you will find the link to that test at the bottom of the page. Tiger and Plueddeman ran the boat on different days. We thought you might like to get multiple opinions about new boat models. If this proves popular, we may \u201cdouble test\u201d boats regularly.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"wxuzj5efbz\" src=\"https:\/\/boatingmag.dragonforms.com\/wxuzj5efbz\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"width:100%;height:165px;border:none;overflow:hidden;\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview<\/h2>\n<p>Crossover and hybrid are marketing terms often used to define a product that does not fit neatly into a predetermined niche. Scout Boats uses both expressions to describe its new <a href=\"https:\/\/scoutboats.com\/model\/261-xss\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">261 XSS<\/a> model. This nifty 26-foot trailerable center console slots between the 231 XSB and 281 XSS models in the brand\u2019s bay boat segment, but then Scout hedges its bets by calling the 261 XSS an inshore\/offshore crossover. We might add \u201cluxury dayboat\u201d to the description, because in typical Scout fashion the 261 XSS is both fishy and fancy.<\/p>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-Scout-261-Helm.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Scout 261 XSS helm\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-Scout-261-Helm.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-Scout-261-Helm-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-Scout-261-Helm-768x576.jpg 768w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">The helm features big-screen electronics and good visibility for the captain.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy Scout<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Interior and Accessories<\/h2>\n<p>The 261 XSS checks all of the key bay boat boxes: expansive fore and aft casting decks, a compact center console to conserve cockpit space, lower freeboard than a dedicated offshore rig and moderate draft for navigating shallow inshore waters. This boat is designed to offer stability for inshore casting and the ride quality to sneak outside on a calm day. If an afternoon at the sandbar or a dock-and-dine evening are on order, this boat\u2019s sleek lines \u2013 the graceful curve of the console, the gathering of the hull sides at the transom and the very slight slope of the sheer \u2013 will make for an impressive entrance. The standard, tan-colored diamond-pattern upholstery won\u2019t attract fish but will catch dock-side admirers.<\/p>\n<p>The 261 XSS has family-friendly cockpit depth averaging about 26 inches, but both the aft and bow casting decks are at gunwale level to give casting anglers as much elevation as possible. The aft deck measures about 6 feet 11 inches by 2 feet, has a non-skid surface and incorporates wide drain channels over the transom.\u00a0 Three sections of the deck fold up to reveal jump seats, with armrests and drink holders between the center and outboard seats. Each seat bottom cushion lifts open to reveal 12.5-gallon lighted and aerated bait wells port and starboard, and on center access to rigging and the Mercury power steering pump.<\/p>\n<p>Three leaning post designs are offered to match an angler\u2019s preference. The standard set-up is simply a three-wide powder coated aluminum leaning post with an Igloo cooler stowed below. The first option has a molded base holding a see-through aerated live well, a Corian countertop, tackle stowage drawers, a flip-out trash bin drawer, four rod holders and two helm seats. The second option also features the fiberglass base with rod holders and dual helm seats, but facing the cockpit is a bait prep station with stainless steel sink and cutting board, tackle drawers, flip-out trash bin and dedicated stowage for a 45-quart YETI Cooler. Each leaning post option is a $7,210 upgrade.<\/p>\n<p>The optional helm seats each have flip up bottom cushions and armrests. There\u2019s an angled footrest at the base of the helm console, just below a pair of handy stowage cubbies. The standard helm display is a Garmin 943XS with a GT12M transducer. Our test boat was equipped with the optional dual Garmin 1243XSV displays ($10,118) but there is also room for a single 24-inch Garmin 9224 ($20,437). Most systems can be switched through the MFD, but there\u2019s a panel in the hardtop overhead with push-button switches for critical\/often-used items, including the wipers, lights and horn. On our boat this panel also held a 4-inch Mercury VesselView display and a Garmin VHF. The stainless steel wheel is to port with the engine control in the center of the console. There are two wireless device chargers on the upper console plus controls for the standard Fusion Bluetooth audio system with six speakers and for the standard Zipwake interceptors. The hardtop is supported by the molded console structure, which eliminates separate vision-blocking support posts. The windshield and side windows are hard-coated acrylic which will not shatter if impacted by a heavy weighted bait.<\/p>\n<p>The passway port and starboard is about 20 inches wide, plenty of room to stand facing the water and an active fish. Entry to the console compartment is to port. We measured 5 feet of headroom below, and there is an electric light and a port for ventilation. The breaker panel is easy to reach as is excellent access to the backside of the helm for service. Use this space for stowage or add a portable ($551) or flushing porcelain ($1,520) head system.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s more stowage below the bottom cushion of the lounge forward the console. There are a number of ways to configure the space between the lounge and the forward casting deck. Standard is wrap-around seating facing aft, with narrow backrests along the edge of the deck and a pair of removable backrests for lounging while facing forward. The center of this space can be filled with an optional fiberglass panel ($2,428) with its own sun pad. Remove that pad and the other seat cushions \u2013 each secured with magnets \u2013 and you\u2019ve got a very expansive fishing deck. There are three stowage compartments below the bow seats and an anchor locker in the casting deck.<\/p>\n<p>Using a long list of other options you could set up a 261 XSS with premium audio and a host of angling details including a number of Power-Pole shallow-water anchor systems, Garmin and MinnKota positioning motors, rod holders and outriggers, Mercury or Yamaha single-engine joystick piloting, a light bar, wash down systems, underwater lights and even an upper station. Angle inshore, angle offshore or \u201ccross over\u201d to a favorite cove hangout. The Scout 261 XSS is a real multi-discipline vessel.<\/p>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-261-xss-overhead-rendering-1024x486.jpg?resize=800%2C380&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Scout 261 XSS overhead\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-261-xss-overhead-rendering-1024x486.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-261-xss-overhead-rendering-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-261-xss-overhead-rendering-768x364.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-261-xss-overhead-rendering.jpg 1265w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">The Scout 261 XSS is a hybrid bay boat.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy Scout<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ride and Handling<\/h2>\n<p>Stability at rest is paramount for a trailerable-beam bay boat in order to keep anglers steady while moving around on the casting decks. With this in mind, Scout gives the 261 XSS model a lightweight carbon fiber T-top to lower the center of gravity and a modest 15 degrees of transom deadrise. The flatter bottom should improve stability and also contributes to the boat\u2019s 17-inch draft, great for sneaking into shallows and further aided by a standard Dometic SeaStar hydraulic jackplate. We were surprised then at how well the Scout ran in a pretty stiff chop on the Ashley River off Charleston, S.C. The dual-stepped hull sliced through the water with deep-vee comfort and carved some sharp turns in that chop with confidence.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Engine<\/h2>\n<p>With the muscular power of a V-10 Mercury Verado 400 on the transom, our test boat raced from 0 to 30 mph in 8.6 seconds and to a top speed of about 63 mph. Another top-rated option in this category would be the 26-foot 9-inch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/boats\/2024-regulator-26xo-bbg\/\">Regulator 26XO<\/a> (base price about $225,000 with Yamaha XTO 450 power). The wider 9-foot 3-inch beam of the Regulator adds elbow room and space for a 70-gallon fish box but at 7,270 pounds it\u2019s also much heavier than the Scout and will be more challenging to trailer. Regulator claims a top speed of 53.6 mph and best economy of 1.94 MPG at 30.9 MPH \u2013 the Scout\/Mercury package gets 60 percent better fuel economy at about the same speed.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read Next:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/boats\/2025-scout-261-xss-boat-test\/\">John Tiger\u2019s take on the same boat!<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Noteworthy: <\/strong>A half-inch high lip around the perimeter of the bow casting deck acts as a \u201cwarning track\u201d alert that your feet are very close to the edge.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How We Tested<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<strong>Engine:<\/strong> Single Mercury V10 Verado 400 outboard<\/li>\n<li>\n<strong>Drive\/Prop:<\/strong> Outboard\/23-inch pitch Mercury Revolution X 4-blade stainless steel<\/li>\n<li>\n<strong>Gear Ratio:<\/strong> 2.08:1 <strong>Fuel Load: <\/strong>60 gal. <strong>Water on Board:<\/strong> N\/A <strong>Crew Weight:<\/strong> 360 lb.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High Points<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Bottom design offers excellent stability and shallow draft combined with an outstanding ride in wind-blown chop.<\/li>\n<li>Three leaning post options to fit your angling and boating style.<\/li>\n<li>Easy to \u201ccross over\u201d from angling to family dayboating with forward cockpit filler and cushions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Low Points<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Console width contributes to wide passways but wind protection at speed is lacking with two people at the helm.<\/li>\n<li>No fish box option.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pricing and Specs<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Price:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>$199,461 (base with test power)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>LOA:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>26\u20190\u2033<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Beam:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>8\u20196\u2033<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Draft (max):<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>1\u20195\u2033<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Displacement (approx.):<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>5,129 lb.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Transom Deadrise:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>15 degrees<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Bridge Clearance:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>8\u20192\u2033<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Max Cabin Headroom:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>5\u20190\u2033<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Water Capacity:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>10 gal.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Fuel Capacity:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>90 gal.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Max Horsepower:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>400<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Available Power:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Single Mercury or Yamaha outboard 300HP to 400HP<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Speed, Efficiency, Operation<\/h2>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"474\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-Scout-261-matrix.jpg?resize=800%2C474&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Scout 261 XSS performance data\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-Scout-261-matrix.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-Scout-261-matrix-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BTG525-Scout-261-matrix-768x455.jpg 768w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Scout 261 XSS Certified Test Results<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Boating Magazine<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-font-size aligncenter is-style-fill has-medium-font-size\" id=\"scoutContact\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/scoutboats.com\/dealer-locator\/\" style=\"border-radius:5px;background-color:#007ca7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Contact Scout<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Scout<\/strong> \u2013 Summerville, South Carolina; <a href=\"https:\/\/scoutboats.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"10397\">scoutboats.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/boats\/2025-scout-261-xss-boat-test-redux\/\">Boat Test Redux: 2025 Scout 261 XSS<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/\">Boating Mag<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> \t<BR><br \/>\n <BR><\/BR><br \/>\n    Charles Plueddeman<br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/boats\/2025-scout-261-xss-boat-test-redux\/\">Go to boatingmag<\/a><br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n <BR><\/BR><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Boat Test Redux: 2025 Scout 261 XSS The Scout 261 XSS performed well during this boat test. Courtesy Scout Visit Scout Build Your Scout Find a Scout Dealer Editor\u2019s Note: Here\u2019s a treat for you. One of two boat tests of the same Scout Boats 261 XSS, each performed and written\u00a0by a different Boating editor. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1510,1511,1512,126,148,1513,1515,352,1559],"tags":[127],"class_list":["post-9153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-20-30ft","category-1511","category-boat-tests","category-boatingmag","category-boats","category-center-consoles","category-fishing-boats","category-outboards","category-scout-boats","tag-boatingmag"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9153"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9153"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9153\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}