Both the Scout 262 Abaco 2011 and the Scout 320 LXF 2013 are deep-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 320 LXF 2013 measures 32,3 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 6,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Scout 262 Abaco 2011 at 26,2 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Scout 320 LXF 2013 tips the scales at 7 100 lbs - 2 300 lbs less than the Scout 262 Abaco 2011 at 4 800 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 700 hp, the Scout 320 LXF 2013 has a 400-hp advantage over the Scout 262 Abaco 2011's 300-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 320 LXF 2013 carries 262 gallons versus 130 gallons in the Scout 262 Abaco 2011. 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 320 LXF 2013 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Scout 262 Abaco 2011 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Scout 320 LXF 2013 could be the deciding factor.