Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

[Hennessey]

Help me pull the trigger.

These are the two setups that I'm down to. The details:

Scout 175 with 90 horse yammy 4 stroke. Both 2006 models. No hours on either.

KW 176 with 90 E-tec. Both 2008. No hours on either.

The price difference between the two is negligible.

Any opinions either way?

Honestly, I'm torn. I sea trialed the Scout, and was impressed. Haven't been in the KW yet. I'll do that this week. The Scout's color is a bit easier on the eyes. The KW looks a little "sharper".

I like the layout of the KW a bit more, but not by much. I like the higher transom of the KW. Gave me a little added security. The Scout seemed better put together.

It's a real tough decision. Initially I was pretty set on the Key West, and had it spec'd out how I liked...then this Scout deal came along. I'd pretty much be stealing it, and I know they're good boats.

I can walk out the door with either rig for $20,000 even.

Any thoughts, opinions, concerns on either model would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

both good engines, yammy has the oil changes, and 4 stroke up keep. etec nothing scheduled for 3 years. both great rigs.

 

[fishmen111]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

Any chance of getting the Scout with the E-tec? If not, my choice is still the Scout.

 

[Hennessey]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

I'm gonna say no on getting the E-tec on the Scout, but I'm going to check.

A question for the more experienced guys:

The Key West has a 25" transom, the Scout, I believe, is 20". When riding in the Scout, the stern, and in particular where the motor is mounted, seemed awfully low to the water. Even at rest, there's only like 6" down to the waterline.

Haven't been in the KW yet, so I can't comment on its setup. Are most 17 CC's this way? I just felt slightly uncomfortable back there. Is it something you get used to? Just deal with it? Or should I see how the KW sits and then make a judgement.

That was the only real negative for the Scout in my book. The negative for the KW is that the white gets damn bright in the sun. I fish a lot. Don't want to be blinded. If only i could get the KW in the Scout's color....

Anyway, I'm rambling, but more advice would be great.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

both boats should be self bailing. thus the are both going to get water on the deck, thru the scuppers, when there is too much weight in the stern. i have a white deck.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

I've got a Scout 175 Dorado dual console and like TD says it's self bailing. I agree the transom looks quite low although I've never had any water come over the back. I'm very happy with the boat. You can see in this shot how close it drops to the waterline at the engine mounting point.

When I was looking I came across a gorgeous KW and would have jumped ship so to speak but it was sold by the time I called. None other in my area so the search widened considerably (like a thousand miles wider ) and zeroed back in on the Scouts.

Nice boats as well those KWs. Like Scout they state their hulls are constructed wood-free so you don't have to worry about stringer and transom rot. I believe they are also billed as "unsinkable." Also I liked the removable back rests for the rear jump seats.

As for getting the e-tec -- Scout is exclusively Yammy. I suppose you might get one shipped without the engine but I'll bet your costs would start to climb if things weren't packaged together. E-tec fans will point out you probably can put more torque down with the e-tec and no oil changes are nothing to sneeze at. It will also be a lighter motor and hence you will probably have a higher top speed. I'd sea trial it and see what you think.

 

[Hennessey]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

Good info, Scout. Thanks.

Yeah, I'm pretty much pulling my hair out over this decision.

Anyone know if KW offers color options on the interior?

And for those of you with a white deck, how big a pain in the neck is the glare off it?

I'm anxious to get in the water, but don't want to jump the gun.

 

[KeyWestBoater]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

I have a KW 1520CC which is all white with silver trim. The white deck doesn't bother me at all. I also looked at a 16 Scout for a little more but it only came with a Yamaha 50 and the KW came with a 70. Plus I liked the seating configuration better with the KW. I really like it so far.

 

[Hennessey]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

Key West...cool deal. That smaller model is a nice little rig.

A question for the peanut gallery: At rest with no one in the boat, the scuppers in the Scout sit under water.

Is this normal/not normal/a problem?

I realize with some of these smaller CCs that you may get a little water in through the scuppers, but I don't want any major headaches.

What's the verdict here?

 

[Scout Sport Fish]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

In my Scout Ive actually TRIED to get water to come back over the transom by going full speed reverse and didnt get anything so dont worry about them 4 inches. I love my Scout and wouldnt go with any other boat.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

At rest empty my scuppers are right at the waterline but not under. In my photo above you can just see the port side ball valve housing tucked in between the swim platform and motor, just above the water line. If you are in the boat expect a bit of seepage at rest, otherwise any forward movement and everything drains.

Since I don't have any carpet and usually go barefoot all summer in the boat I don't really mind a bit of water in the back. You can keep the plugs in also but that then requires you to pull them if any significant water comes over.

Scout Sport, nice to hear of your test results. I think the fact these boats seem relatively light for their size along with all that boyancy means they have a tendancy to ride on top in those situations rather than plow under.

 

[Hennessey]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

Thanks guys.

It sounds dumb, but I'm kinda hung up on the deck color thing. It's bugging me.

I like the sharper, cleaner look of the white KW deck, but dislike the extra glare. I like the functionality of the doe skin Scout deck (less glare), but I think it looks a little bit more dumpy, if that makes any sense.

I figure if I'm shelling out all this money, I should get what I want.

I just don't know what, exactly, that is.

 

[KeyWestBoater]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

About the scuppers I don't know about the KW 17 but on my 1520 CC yes some water does come in with weight in the stern and not moving. My wife doesn't like water coming in so I just keep the plugs in. It's not a big deal. If it gets rough and some water splashes in then I just pull them and it's dry again.

As for the deck color, I like the white but it's personal preference of course. I don't have any problem with glare on a sunny day

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

...I like the sharper, cleaner look of the white KW deck, but dislike the extra glare. I like the functionality of the doe skin Scout deck (less glare), but I think it looks a little bit more dumpy...

Nice! Try to help a guy out and he calls your boat dumpy.

Actually, I like pure white better too from an asthetic point of view but I'll let you in on a little secret. After you have spent some time in the Scout, after a while the off-white will seem white to you. It's so close after a while your brain just registers it as white. You're obsessing now because you are constantly comparing the two colours side by side. Pick one!

(And as an aside, if you do go with the Scout, the factory is aware just how difficult it is to match the colour should you need any local work done on it. They will mix up a batch of gelcoat tint at just the right colour and ship it to you should the occasion arise.)

 

[Hennessey]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

Ha..Thanks Scout. Dumpy was probably the wrong choice of words

And I know exactly what you mean, I'm sure in a month the damn color of the deck won't make a difference either way.

Both rigs are just so close in just about every category; I'm having a tough time deciding.

Scout: Better quality, better resale, a little lower in the transom, not crazy about the color, better deal.

KW: like the color and sharpness of the white deck, don't like the glare, not as good a deal, a step down in quality, like the e-tec half a hair more than the yamaha.


It's a tough one.

Anybody else wanna help me make up my mind.

 

[Geo2008]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

Ha..Thanks Scout. Dumpy was probably the wrong choice of words

And I know exactly what you mean, I'm sure in a month the damn color of the deck won't make a difference either way.

Both rigs are just so close in just about every category; I'm having a tough time deciding.

Scout: Better quality, better resale, a little lower in the transom, not crazy about the color, better deal.

KW: like the color and sharpness of the white deck, don't like the glare, not as good a deal, a step down in quality, like the e-tec half a hair more than the yamaha.


It's a tough one.

Anybody else wanna help me make up my mind.

From what you have said, I surmise that you like the Scout better.

Geo

 

[Hennessey]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

Bump for some more help before I overthink this to death.

The Scout takes on water through the scuppers...I just checked, so I'll have to plug 'em. Didn't try weighing down the back in the KW yet.

For those with a pure white deck, can anyone else chime in as to how bothersome that gets with sunlight/glare? It's a major consideration for me at this point, considering how often I'll be on the water. I don't like the looks of the creme at all really, but it does seem to help in the glare department.

KW also has a 25 inch transom, instead of 20, and is higher in the stern, which left me feeling a little safer.

I feel like the KW may be slightly underpowered with the 90 e-tec, as it is a bigger, heavier 17, but I can't afford the 115. Both rigs have anti-feedback. Hopefully hydraulic isn't necessary.

Am I just being ridiculous with all this? Or have other people gone through similar when buying a first boat.

Keep the input coming

 

[Kachadurian]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

I hate to throw a wrench in the works, but I just went through this and ended up with a Pioneer 175. More boat, less money and everything seems to be laid out just a bit smarter. Both the KW and the Scout seemed like compromise boats in the smaller versions, but the pioneer have everything I wanted.

Do not buy a new boat until you check out the Pioneer.

Tom

 

[Hennessey]

Re: Scout 175 vs. KW 176 CC

Thanks Tom, I'll check it out.

I noticed in the KW that the drains that lead to the scuppers have a grated top covering them, while the Scout's are just open holes.

With the KW taking on water because of added weight in the stern, how would you then stop the water?

It didn't seem to me like you could plug the drains on the KW from the inside like you could in the Scout because of the grating, so would you plug the outside? Or try different scuppers?

I don't want water coming in the damn boat when I'm fishing.

 

[Kachadurian]

Get a Pioneer 175

Get a Pioneer 175

I noticed in the KW that the drains that lead to the scuppers have a grated top covering them, while the Scout's are just open holes.

With the KW taking on water because of added weight in the stern, how would you then stop the water?

It didn't seem to me like you could plug the drains on the KW from the inside like you could in the Scout because of the grating, so would you plug the outside? Or try different scuppers?

I don't want water coming in the damn boat when I'm fishing.

You are into EXACTLY why i bought the pioneer. The scuppers have the grates, but there are check valves in the scuppers so water doesn't back up. I had a full load in mine last week, and no one got wet, ever. Not with three people standing in the back and not with 4 kids in the bow at 40 MPH in pretty good chop.

All of the drains on the pioneer are perfectly thought out. Nothing drains to the bilge and all the thru-hulls are stainless.

I don't know what you think of the funky bench in the stern of the scout or the weird molded seat on the KW, but the pioneer has two cushioned jump seats with padded back rests and rails. And you can remove the cushions and back rests and have a raised rear deck to stand on if you want.

If you don't have dealer close by, download the brochure from their website: www.pioneerboats.com

Their dealers are only on the coast, and I'm in Michigan. I went to Virginia to get mine. It was worth the trip.

Tom