My Scout 365: the trunk boat!

[RRocket]

Had a couple of PMs about this from people who saw photos in other threads, so I thought I'd detail this fantastic little boat here.

 

I had somewhat unique requirements for a boat. It needed to be lightweight, able to safely fish standing, room for 2, very stable/safe and fit in trunk of a vehicle.

 

After much research, I ended up with a Scout 365. The boat itself is 12 feet long. It weighs a mere 64 pounds, which is much lighter than a kayak. I chose to power it with a Suzuki 2.5 HP, which comes in around 28lbs. Altogether, boat and motor come in around 100lbs with the boat footprint being about 36"x24"x16" when folded up and in the carry "taco" bag.

 

Boat came with a footpump, but I got a cordless inflator with auto shut off. This allows the boat to inflate while I get other things ready. Each pontoon has a chamber (3.5psi) and the floor a chamber (5psi). The floor is the same type you'd find on a stand up paddleboard and is rigid when filled. It comes with 3 aluminum benches (I only use 2). Set up time from the time I'm parked until I'm in the water is 15 minutes when done leisurely. I also added landing wheels to easily wheel around parking lots. As a bonus, in this area you don't pay boat ramp fees if the boat has no trailer. 

 

I added a hydrofoil, as I knew I would be shallow in some of the creeks or tributaries. It will motor through in under a foot of water. Solo, it will do 10mph (16km/h). With 2 people and gear aboard, around 6mph (10km/h). Engine positive sips fuel. Internal tank is 1/4 gallon (1 liter). I have not run out of gas yet! Consumption rate is allegedly 1L per hour at wide open throttle. My trips are typically 4-5 hours. I do carry an emergency 1L fuel tank with me "in case".

 

Boat performs even better than expectations. Standing is safe and easy with the casting bar and I have fished easily without it. But it gives a large safety buffer with it on, so I usually fish with it. It also works fantastic for rod storage with 2 rod holders on it.  Unlike a kayak, it's also extremely stable and at no point has there ever been a fear of capsizing. Indeed, many people use these in coastal waters running out to platforms which seems crazy to me..yet proves the safety of the vessel. For my part, I've used it on tributaries and creeks, the Detroit River, Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. It's also stable enough where the wife has fallen asleep while I've fished! 

 

The boat garners attention whenever I put it in at public ramps with nearly endless questions, compliments, thumbs up, etc. I've even been "pulled over" in the water by police just because they wanted to check the boat out. The kayakers also don't seem to mind when I put in at a kayak ramp.

 

Durability was a question early on, but now there is little doubt: this is a tough little boat! I ground it out every single time I use it (running it into shore/ramp to pull out, shallow creeks, etc). I have hit deadheads too..which you can barely feel due to the air floor. This usually garners an odd look between those on the boat and a "did we just hit something?" No hook has damaged either the floor or pontoons. And I occasionally find a hook or lure rolled up in the body that I missed before putting away. I've had no reason to use the included hole repair kit yet! 

 

Overall, I'm very, very pleased with this boat and it has exceeded expectations in every way. So much so that we have decided to buy a large(r) RIB as our next fishing/pleasure boat. 

 

All in all..we love this little boat! 

 

https://scoutinflatables.com/products/scout-365