Re: Scout vs Key West vs Mako
You've got three real solid platforms there. I'm gonna chime in because I basically just finished the same shopping that you are doing right now.
I ended up with a Scout 175 Sportfish.
In the beginning of the process, I ruled out Mako fairly quickly because 1) I wasn't crazy about the layout - it was okay, and 2) I heard from one too many people I trusted that Makos "aren't what they used to be". This isn't a knock on Mako: they're great boats, but I knew I could do better.
So this got me down to a Key West 176 and the Scout. In all my shopping, these were the only two hulls I seriously considered. I looked at boat shows, dealers, and marinas for almost a year before I pulled the trigger.
On paper, the Scout is a "better" boat. Not too many people will argue with that. All else being equal, it'll have better resale than a Key West as well. Fit & finish is a notch better, and the air assist hull makes the Scout ride like a cloud.
However. I *really* liked the Key West. They're awesome boats and I'd own one in a second. There's not much to dislike in either one.
For me, it came down to which one was a better deal. I got out the door for $22,000 in the Scout. 2006 hull with an '06 Yammy 90 HP 4 stroke. Never been used. Never even been in the water. The package is loaded to the gills: Garmin 545s, venture trailer, spare cooler, console cover, backrests for jump seats, bottom paint, tax included, coast guard, etc, etc. It wouldn't have been smart to ignore that kind of deal.
I just couldn't find the KW at what I deemed was a reasonable price. If I could've, I think it essentially would've been a coin flip between the two boats.
They're both great. Hard to go wrong.
I'd price out the rigs you want, shop around, and compare. It's good to wait to find the right deal, but at some point you need to pull the trigger. Ask yourself what you *really* need, and then ask yourself where you can compromise. Ask yourself how long you want to keep the boat and what its purposes will be. If you answer these questions honestly, it usually makes the decision a lot clearer.
One last tidbit: I would also check out Pioneer boats. It's a newish line from guys that worked at Key West and Scout. I liked the boats. The 197 Sportfish is a cool rig.
Hope this all helps.
