Following a 2020 move from Chicago to northern Palm Beach County after retirement, Todd Prince tied off his 60-foot Azimut motor yacht behind a new home situated just off the Intracoastal, ready to unwind in the tropics like a gentleman, cruising and relaxing with friends. Not long after getting settled, though, the abundance of fishing opportunities at his disposal became a distraction from that plan—one that now had his complete attention.
It was apparent that he needed a dedicated fishing vessel to capitalize on all the prospective new adventures awaiting him. When he visited the dealer where he had bought his Azimut, he came across a center console fishing model commonly used as a tender for motor yachts—a 2023 Scout 355 LXF—and decided to add it to his fleet.
As a curiosity about all things angling now stood front and center in Prince’s day-to-day routine, he set about outfitting his new boat. A host of rods and reels covering the spectrum from ultra-light tackle to heavy, blue-water gear were assembled to cover all his bases. He is determined to become a well-rounded angler, and the Florida Straits is the ideal classroom for such an endeavor. Immediate plans include wahoo fishing in the Bahamas, live baiting pelagics off Jupiter, bottom fishing between the shallow reefs, and power reel jigging over the offshore abyss hundreds of feet below the surface.
The 35-foot Scout 355 LXF comes with more creature comforts than one might ever need on a fishing trip, but then again, weekend visits to the local sandbars with friends is still part of Prince’s Florida lifestyle. A quick ride to raft out for a few hours at one of the many party spots is also much easier to manage on a 35-footer than on a yacht. The forward wraparound seating, cabin-top sun pad, and aft-facing cockpit seating offer comfortable spots to unwind on a cruise. A roomy cabin below offers air-
conditioned comfort and a place to rest your head should you need a break from the sun. A Seakeeper 3DC gyro stabilizer provides an impossibly stable drift for anyone prone to motion sickness.
A large acrylic helm face houses three Garmin MFD units, while two dash panel registers blow cool air to the helmsman while underway. A 55-gallon live well, large insulated deck holds, and rod holders around the entire gunwale cap are the ideal start for a serious fishing build. With all the proper tools in hand, Prince is diving headfirst into the next chapter of his life on the water.
Power File
Length: 34 feet, 11 inches
Beam: 10 feet, 9 inches
Draft: 24 inches
Deadrise: 22 degrees
Weight: 11,000 pounds
Fuel: 310 gallons
Max HP: 1,200
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