The reason of Scimitar returning WITH numerous scratches is simple. The mass drivers' range. You can't expect that frontal approach in Scim would be a "clear victory" when dealing with Krants and Salthis. The will start shooting long before your cannons will be in range. But... it it THAT bad? It's a matter of style. Every ship needs a special style.
A Hornet needs a 'dance & dance' style, and I didn't hear much complains that it can't blow a gratha with a couple of shots. Somehow you people do understand that 'punch close, punch hard' is not a Hornet's role.
Raptor is a ship for a fast frontal attack. You approach on burners, and give the target a couple of her four-cannon salvos. Voila! And again, I didn't hear someone complaining that she's not as agile as Hornet.
Now, the Scim. She needs her own style, too. Iceman's insults for her are just subjective points of view. "Burn to target" - is a style too. You burn, you turn, and have a 'kick-kick-kick-kick-kerblam!' on you target. Just don't make a frontal attack, but hit the enemy from flanks instead. In this case Scim would be VERY EFFECTIVE kitty killer. Of that I am sure.
And if you have learned the only 'trick' - wait till he's in range, than fire 'head-to-head' ... Why complain that the ship can't perform too good when she's used not in her natural way of doing things?