rich10900

Hi everyone, I just want a few comments from a few of you on here. I grew up on powerboats and am ready to but my first boat. I do not know how to drive one and it is my first boat. The two options are
1. 22 scarab 350 small block 400hrs 1997
2. 1999 baja h2x 454 mag 147hrs.
I live in charleston SC so the tides are pretty extreme, lots of oyster beds, sandbars etc. I want a nice performance boat that I can learn on, not worry to death about hitting something, the dock, etc etc and have fun. I will have the boat professionally surveyed and a mechanic do a compression test etc etc prior to purchase. Just want opinions on the two boats so I am not getting in over my head on the h2x but the hours on the scarab scare me. Any input would be appreciated.

blownhammer2000

iTrader: (1)

welcome to the forum! sometimes higher hour boats are better to have than low hour, sitting around not being ran is harder on them than you would think. my first "performance" boat was the hammer which is more of a comparison to the scarab, the h2x is basically the hammer stretched to 24'. it was an awesome 1st boat. i was about to buy a 22 scarab myself till i saw the hammer, same length, interior is much better imo, and is slightly faster with the same power. i believe it also has a wider beam than the scarab. this is just my experience, not degrading the scarab by any means, nice boat just seemed to get more for your money with baja

Steel Outlawed

iTrader: (1)

My first Baja was a H2x I loved it. We just wanted something a little bigger, so we moved up to a 25 Outlaw, and then a 33 Outlaw. Ours had a 454 mag in it and it would run low 70's.

Nightlife1970

If they are same price the Baja for sure.

drpete3

I sa y save your money and do somthing else this sport will break you. LOL Only kidding but it is an addiction and a lot of fun. Best of luck

Z06vette1

The h2x was my first boat and we love it.

XT-Innovator

iTrader: (1)

Since this is your first boat you are doing the correct thing and asking questions. In talking to 22 Scarab buyers, most look for one with the 7.4 BB power with a Bravo drive. You may have a harder time selling it when you are ready to move up. I always liked the Hammer a little better that the H2x for one reason. With 300 HP power it was a 65-70 mph runner and the H2x needs 400 HP to run in the same neighborhood. Now find a Hammer with a old 502 carb. engine and we are talking upper 70's. The H2x is maybe a little better handling because a BB is allot of weight in the back of the 21'7" Hammer hull. The H2x is a boat that anyone should be able to drive and stay out of trouble. Probably not many in the Baja section that has driven a 22 Scarab including myself. Good luck with the purchase.

XT

2XLR8

i was in the same boat as you no punn intended and i ended up buying an H2X with 454 mag and love it it handles real nice and is fast enough plus i can pull a tube behind and still entertain the kids i ve had it for 2 years now and gas and go just great i am now going to go bigger next year i got the experience i needed with it and glad i did not go too big first time around.if you have any other question feel free to ask ,its that much easier to make a wise choice when others can help with some questions.

Black Baja

iTrader: (2)

Spent some time on my buddies 22scarab 383 450hp bravo drive. Boated in Chesapeake Bay 75 mph. Fast boat but it would beat you to death in the big chop. He sold it after one season. Got tired of the day afters.. It would be a great first boat to learn on. No experience with the h2x. I would look at the one that is gonna have a better resale cause your probably not gonna keep either long.

fastscarab22

iTrader: (1)

I have a 95 scarab 22 with hp 465 ( hp 500 ) with merlin heads and -1 inch shorty imco. boat needs a new sun pad and back set , just worn . I run a a 29 spinnille at 5100 and can run 81mph gps > I had 4 people in the boat 1/2 tank of gas and ran 78mph up river , no chim walk at all . Want to go bigger. It is on a trailer with 2 covers . Didnt burn a quart of oil all year . I have trim tabs on it and when it is ruff just drop the tabs and you dont get beat up like erie can hurt . If you go to youtube running at speed on west river you can see it . $12500.00 i have tHAT MUCH IN THE OUTDRIVE AND MOTOR