On Board Review

Scout 530 LXF Review (2023 Edition)

The Scout 530 LXF is a centre console boat that straddles the line between fishing capability and leisure. Is it the best of both worlds? Read our in-depth review to find out.

The Scout 530 LFX is the current flagship of the Scout range, at least until a larger model arrives next year. It's not cheap, with an on-the-water price of around $3,000,000, but it mixes 70mph performance with comfortable living spaces and is a top-tier fishing platform. 

The LXF's design is rather unique in the sector, mainly because of its flybridge deck. This is more than just a raised driving position, too, with some seating protected by a hard top so guests can enjoy the ride from up high. It's a boat full of surprises, but can it justify that punchy price tag?

Scout 530 LXF Key Facts

Scout 530 LXF illustration
  • LOA 53.412ft
  • Model Year 2023
  • Cabins 2
  • Max Speed 60 knots
  • Status In Production
  • Yacht Type Sportsboat
  • Use Type Dayboating

Review Video

Design & Build

Scout has a continuing commitment to advanced manufacturing techniques and that has informed every inch of this boat. The build employs cutting-edge epoxy infusion and carbon epoxy construction processes in the hull, deck, hardtop, and flybridge, resulting in a lighter and stronger boat. 

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The 530 LXF is capable of 70mph
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The foredeck is a great living space
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The 530 LXF is the current flagship of the Scout range

The deck extends to a generous 5.3m (17.5ft) beam giving lots of room for relaxation and entertainment, thanks to the use of port and starboard aft balconies. The cockpit is a versatile space, equipped with seating that can accommodate seven and a wet bar that is part fish prep station and part entertaining space. Fishing fans should put the Scout 530 LXF on their radar, with features like aft fish boxes, dual transom baitwells with aerators, and rod storage. The floors are synthetic teak as standard (you can upgrade to real teak) and are easy to clean. There's also a Seakeeper 6 installed to limit roll when fishing in a swell.

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The lower deck, although not the main focus of this type of boat, still offers comfort with TV setups and a fully equipped galley with a microwave, hob, and fridges. Sleeping arrangements include a queen stateroom and additional berths for guests.

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Customisation is encouraged, including hull colour!

The Scout 530 LXF offers a suite of customisation options. Hull colours come in two different shades of blue, grey, or black - even the outboard engines can be painted black. But it can be painted any colour you like. Inside, there are four different complimentary wood combinations of flooring and cabinets, named Grigio Nero, Liscia Bianca, Modella (as standard), and Paris Marrone.

Interior Accommodation

The lower deck of this yacht takes a back seat really, as the primary focus is on performance and getting you to the fishing grounds with ease and speed. However, if you do need to stay overnight, there’s enough room for four adults to do so in relative comfort.

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The owner's cabin, forward
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There's rod storage beneath the bed
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There's a TV mounted on the wall in the forward cabin

The forward cabin is probably considered the owner's space, with a low double bed. While it won't win awards for size, it’s perfectly adequate for a night on board. There are no hull windows in here - instead, Scout has installed backlit 'false windows' that offer a nice effect. A pocket door provides privacy and preserves space. The bathroom setup is split, with the shower on one side and the toilet on the other, making the most of the available space.

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The guest cabin is tight but the bed is a decent size

Another cabin, again a bit small, is under the cockpit for any extra guests or perhaps just used for storage. The headroom is very low.

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There is a galley and dinette on the lower deck
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The galley is small but well equipped
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There are two deep fridge/freezer drawers under the counter

There is a dinette and a galley with a dark wood finish and a backlit window effect. The small galley has a cooktop, microwave, and additional cooling space. There's even a TV down here - it's a comfy spot to take shelter from the weather.

Helm Station

The helm station offers a chunky wheel, and a large MFD on an uncluttered dash - there's also an overhead screen, providing loads of data at a glance. The row of buttons above your eye line makes accessing frequently-used functions practical, so you shouldn't need to delve into complex menus on digital screens over and over.

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The major controls are chunky and tactile
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The adjustable seat makes for a great driving position
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The overhead panel is a convenient touch
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The throttles fall easily to hand

Fully enclosed, the helm is a well-protected space, making the fast cruising experience with those mighty Mercury 600hp V12s incredibly comfortable despite the speeds the boat is capable of pulling. 

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The navigators are well looked after

The helm area also has twin navigator seats with their very own (massive) screen, so you can enjoy just as much vital information as the skipper.

On Deck

Scout has encased the cabling for the outboards in stainless steel tubes, which keeps the aft area tidy, and easy to move from side to side. The boarding gates are beautifully done, and the pop-up cushions are a nice touch, so you can comfortably perch while fishing off the corners. 

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The mighty Merc 600hp V12s provide big performance

The bench flips away to provide more deck space, and then there is Scout's patented rocket launcher system, first used on the Scout 420 LXF.  The rod holders are up in the coamings of the centre console, just below the sunshade. Fix in your rod; push the button, and the rod holders fold up and out of the way. Push the button for the sunshade and the rod holders will automatically fold down, tucking under the sunshade as it extends out. It's a clever system, which keeps the fishing kit neatly stashed away when not in use but easy to access when needed.

The drop-down balconies on both port and starboard sides push the beam out even further when at anchor and work just as well for swimming off and prepping for watersports as they do for expanding the deck space for fishing purposes. 

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The balconies are great for fishing and other watersports
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The sunshade above Scout's patented automated rocket launcher system

Adding a ladder to this area is a smart move, making it easy to clamber in and out of the water away from where the outboard engines are located. Over at the wet bar, you'll find a grill, fridge, and sink, with steps neatly running through the middle. We'll come to those later... 

Centre Console

The centre console is the travel area that's more enclosed compared to other parts of the boat. This is where everyone settles in when the yacht is pushing along at its impressive 40mph cruising speed, or when storming to its top speed of 70mph.

Despite these performance stats, comfort is not compromised here. You can sit facing forward or in the raised aft-facing seats, and all the sightlines are spot on, providing fabulous views all around. Many don't like travelling backwards, but you’ve still got an excellent view aft.

You can fully enclose this area with high-quality covers but it won't be gloomy as the glass floors from the overhead flybridge allow the natural light in. Storage is another strong suit here, with huge compartments under the benches so there is plenty of space to store equipment. 

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The seating is well protected when the boat's on the move
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The glass in the flybridge deck draws down natural light
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Storage on deck is excellent

Side Decks & Foredeck

The side deck and foredeck on this yacht prove to be safe and comfortable to move around on. The high bulwarks are cushioned for added safety, meaning that moving around the boat or battling a big catch won't have you hitting hard surfaces. 

A continuous railing guides the way to the foredeck, which is another great-looking and versatile living area. This area has storage on both sides, handy for stashing gear and personal items along with built-in speakers and pop-up lights.

The raised three-seater is an absolute delight, with backrests and armrests to hold you firmly in place. It’s worth having those little storage bins integrated into the seating, perfect for safely plonking your phone or other bits.

Forward, there are adjustable twin tables surrounded by U-shaped seating. This area can be used as a dining set-up or a casual coffee spot, as the tables can be lowered or raised to suit the moment. 

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The foredeck is a safe, comfortable living space
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The twin tables are height adjustable
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The side decks are safe and easy to move around

Flybridge

The flybridge on this yacht is an option but in a class where flybridges are so rare, this one provides a unique vantage point. It's great for both high-speed cruising and slow-speed manoeuvring thanks to the joystick control. The oversight from here is brilliant, especially for those keen on fishing, as it offers a commanding view of the cockpit and engines. You can keep an eye on everything and still have a chat with those below; there are even more rod holders up here too.

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Glazing in the deck maintains natural light at the helm below
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The upper helm is a great spot to drive from
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This raised deck sets the 530 LXF appart

Seating is plentiful, with chaise lounges inviting you to relax and soak up the sun when the yacht is at rest. They also serve as a comfy spot during leisurely cruises, provided speeds remain modest. A clever design touch is the glass laid into the floor, ensuring the helm position below is bathed in natural light. It's seriously cool.

Value For Money

How you assess this boat's value for money will depend heavily on your perspective. If you compare it to a more traditional 55ft sportscruiser, for example, you will spot the compromises in its accommodation and its thirst compared to something with a more conventional twin diesel setup. However, if you're after an extraordinary fishing platform with searing performance and the ability to cruise where most sportscruisers top out, you'll see it as a price worth paying. 

That seems a rather obvious way to frame things, but this is a niche product. For the right customer, who treasures fast cruising ability and deck space over long stints sleeping on board, it ticks a lot of boxes, and few boats of this type deliver lifestyle, performance, and fishing so well. 

Our Verdict

The driving experience is such an important part of what this boat is designed for that it's tricky to come to a firm conclusion having not done that. However, despite what appears to be quite a nice product there is a lot about this design that makes it a very convincing day boat and an alternative to the ubiquitous walkaround T-top sportscruiser.

It may not have the quayside appeal of a Pardo or Fjord but we know what we'd rather be on board in a big chop, and this boat's practical thinking makes it such an easy boat to live with. Yes, it's focussed on fishing, but a lot of these practicalities make it a very appealing family cruiser and a wonderful machine to cover ground aboard at a high pace. 

Reasons to Buy

  • Performance
  • Build quality
  • Deck layout
  • Flybridge deck

Things to Consider

  • Expensive to run
  • Accommodation

Looking to own a Scout 530 LXF? Use YachtBuyer’s Market Watch to compare all new and used Scout 530 LXF Boats for sale worldwide. You can also order a new Scout 530 LXF, customized to your exact specifications, with options for engine choice and layout configuration. Alternatively, explore our global listings of new and used boats for sale and find your perfect boat today!

Rivals to Consider

The HCB 53 Suenos RXV may not have the Scout's top deck but it's still a well-balanced machine that can handle lazy days on the sand bar and high-octane fishing trips. Available with 5 x 450hp Mercury outboards or the same quadruple 600hp V12s as the Scout, it's a capable fast cruiser finished to a very high standard. It lacks the cockpit terraces of the Scout but the cockpit is focussed on fishing and watersports with 60 gal livewells and numerous rod holders scattered around the deck. It can even be fitted with a tuna tower. Below decks, there is a double berth and separate bathroom but it doesn't have the living space of the LXF. 

Valhalla is the centre console brand for Viking and the Valhalla V-55 is the flagship of the range. It's quite something. Capable of handling up to 3,000hp across a variety of engine options, the Michael Peters hull is tuned for fast cruising - we're talking cruising at 50 knots here and a top speed of over 60 knots. Being a Viking product you know it's going to be built like a tank and peppered with practical detail that will make it a dream to live with as a big game hunter. On deck, it can be fitted with 10 forward-facing seats at the helm or a mix of armchairs and a U-shaped dinette for a more leisurely feel. Below, there is a double cabin forward, twins amidships, and a galley and separate bathroom in between.

The Regal 50 SAV - the flagship of this line for Regal - is a stunning bit of kit. SAV stands for Sports Activity Vessel and that's a pretty good way to describe the boat. The deck space is vast thanks to a pair of drop-down terraces but it's well balanced, too, with up to 10 people to sit at the protection of the helm. It even has what they call "Garmrests", with compact Garmin MFDs built into the armrests of the chairs. How cool? The lower deck is the most comfortable of the boats mentioned here as it has a proper amidships cabin with a big double berth, hull windows, and a convertible vee-berth forward. It may not be the gnarly fisher that the Scout us but it's a seriously appealing package.

Looking to own a Scout 530 LXF? Use YachtBuyer’s Market Watch to compare all new and used Scout 530 LXF Boats for sale worldwide. You can also order a new Scout 530 LXF, customised to your exact specifications, with options for engine choice and layout configuration. Alternatively, explore our global listings of new and used yachts for sale and find your perfect yacht today!

Considering a new boat? Explore Scout's entire current range to find the model that best suits your needs, and compare it with alternatives from competitors to ensure you make the perfect choice.

Specifications

  • Builder Scout
  • Range LXF
  • Model 530 LXF
  • Length Overall 53.412ft
  • Beam 14.665ft
  • Draft 2.559ft
  • Hull Carbon Fibre
  • Cabins 2
  • Berths 4
  • Cruising Speed
  • Max Speed
  • Fuel Capacity 875 Gallons
  • Fresh Water Capacity 100 Gallons
New Model Specs & Options

Scout 530 LXF Layout

  • Main Deck Scout 530 LXF

    The cockpit balconies are great for watersports and when you're fishing 

View All Layout Options