Boat Test Redux: 2025 Scout 261 XSS

Editor’s Note: Here’s a treat for you. One of two boat tests of the same Scout Boats 261 XSS, each performed and written by 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 “double test” boats regularly.

Overview

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 261 XSS model. This nifty 26-foot trailerable center console slots between the 231 XSB and 281 XSS models in the brand’s bay boat segment, but then Scout hedges its bets by calling the 261 XSS an inshore/offshore crossover. We might add “luxury dayboat” to the description, because in typical Scout fashion the 261 XSS is both fishy and fancy.

Interior and Accessories

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’s sleek lines – the graceful curve of the console, the gathering of the hull sides at the transom and the very slight slope of the sheer – will make for an impressive entrance. The standard, tan-colored diamond-pattern upholstery won’t attract fish but will catch dock-side admirers.

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.  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.

Three leaning post designs are offered to match an angler’s 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.

The optional helm seats each have flip up bottom cushions and armrests. There’s 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’s 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.

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.

There’s 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 – each secured with magnets – and you’ve got a very expansive fishing deck. There are three stowage compartments below the bow seats and an anchor locker in the casting deck.

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 “cross over” to a favorite cove hangout. The Scout 261 XSS is a real multi-discipline vessel.

Ride and Handling

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’s 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.

Engine

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 Regulator 26XO (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’s 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 – the Scout/Mercury package gets 60 percent better fuel economy at about the same speed.

Read Next: John Tiger’s take on the same boat!

Noteworthy: A half-inch high lip around the perimeter of the bow casting deck acts as a “warning track” alert that your feet are very close to the edge.

How We Tested

• Engine: Single Mercury V10 Verado 400 outboard
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/23-inch pitch Mercury Revolution X 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 60 gal. Water on Board: N/A Crew Weight: 360 lb.

High Points

• Bottom design offers excellent stability and shallow draft combined with an outstanding ride in wind-blown chop.
• Three leaning post options to fit your angling and boating style.
• Easy to “cross over” from angling to family dayboating with forward cockpit filler and cushions.

Low Points

• Console width contributes to wide passways but wind protection at speed is lacking with two people at the helm.
• No fish box option.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation