Both the Scout 245 Dorado 2013 and the Scout 245 Sportfish 2009 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Scout 245 Dorado 2013 at 24,4 ft versus Scout 245 Sportfish 2009 at 24,0 ft. At 2 600 lbs and 2 600 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class - either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Scout 245 Dorado 2013 has a 50-hp advantage over the Scout 245 Sportfish 2009's 250-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 245 Sportfish 2009 carries 145 gallons versus 100 gallons in the Scout 245 Dorado 2013. 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 245 Dorado 2013 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Scout 245 Sportfish 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Scout 245 Dorado 2013 could be the deciding factor.