Both the Scout 295 Abaco 2011 and the Scout 345 XSF 2012 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 345 XSF 2012 measures 34,9 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Scout 295 Abaco 2011 at 30,8 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Scout 345 XSF 2012 tips the scales at 10 800 lbs - 1 300 lbs less than the Scout 295 Abaco 2011 at 9 500 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 345 XSF 2012 has a 100-hp advantage over the Scout 295 Abaco 2011's 600-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 345 XSF 2012 carries 330 gallons versus 200 gallons in the Scout 295 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 345 XSF 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Scout 295 Abaco 2011 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Scout 345 XSF 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Scout 345 XSF 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 34,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Scout 295 Abaco 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.