Both the Scout 160 Sportfish 2009 and the Scout 350 LXF 2013 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Scout 350 LXF 2013 measures 34,9 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 19,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Scout 160 Sportfish 2009 at 15,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Scout 350 LXF 2013 tips the scales at 9 100 lbs - 8 160 lbs less than the Scout 160 Sportfish 2009 at 940 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 900 hp, the Scout 350 LXF 2013 has a 830-hp advantage over the Scout 160 Sportfish 2009's 70-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Scout 350 LXF 2013 carries 360 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Scout 160 Sportfish 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Scout 350 LXF 2013 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Scout 160 Sportfish 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Scout 350 LXF 2013 could be the deciding factor.