How does a 26 scarab handle rough water?

woodynh · 11-26-2004, 08:43 PM

Hello all. I have just discovered this forum and it looks like a very informative one. It also looks like a great place to get information about used boats. I am currently in the market for a used performance boat that will handle rough water well.

I live on a lake that can have some good chop but most is created by 30 to 40 foot boats on the lake so it comes from every direction. I would like a 24 to 27 foot boat with a single engine. There are a lot of performance boats on this lake and people around here tell me probably the best boat in this class for rough water is the 25' baja outlaw. I have tried one and would have to say it was very good handling and in the rough water.

I have recently found a 1996 scarab with low hours in very good shape. I like the looks of the boat and it is very clean but I know nothing about how they handle rough water or handle period.

I am hoping to get some input from you scarab owners of how a 26' scarab is in rough water at crusing speeds of @ 30 - 40 mph? What would you consider the strong points of this boat and the weak points? Also if anybody has any input on comparing it to a 25' baja outlaw?

Thanks and maybe shortly based on some of the input I recieve I will be a scarab owner sharing stories on this forum.

Lee · 11-27-2004, 05:28 AM

Contact OSO member "26scarab" He can tell you everything you would ever want to know on the Scarab. I have been on his boat many times and I have been impressed everytime on it's rough water handleing/ride Plus It has a big ole N/A 540" in it

We have been in several rough water Poker Runs in it and we hung with and passsed many bigger boats with it, Of course I admit to having a little "Kung Fu Grip" on the grab handles

puder · 11-28-2004, 03:27 AM

i have an older 26 scarab (its on the market for cheap!!!!) and it handle rough wate rpretty well. Its an older heavier hull so it cna deal with water pretty well. I run in eth sound and i have been out a few tim sin 3'-4' crap and it is ok at aroudn 40-45. The "crap" i speak of is just very nasty chop comming from no direction in particular and very close intervals. It requires TONS of throttlign to keep from having a problem but its ok in it. Its no 47 apache but for its size it does ok.

if you;re interested my baot was totally redone, new interior, controls, guages, wiring, drive, engine. The engine has abtou 10 hours on it and is the same as a merc 525sc. Except mine makes 551hp and has stellings headers.

The photos are from earlier this summer. The white panels were for future upgrades (big ole stereo system was planned). And the rear center seat was still out as i debated weather or not the future stereo was goign to be large or MASSIVE witha huge sub box between the rear seats.

I'd take low 20s with trailer.

puder · 11-28-2004, 03:28 AM

oh yeah it also has a land and sea extension box i just put on recently. I only tested it once since i put the box on.

satisfactionII · 12-01-2004, 09:36 PM

Woodynh,

I've owned my 1996 26' Scarab for about a year. Very easy to drive, easy to keep clean and handles rough water really well. It has a 502/MPI with a Bravo 1. Literally jumps out of the hole and maintenance is low cost. The boat I bought was a one owner and some middle aged chick owned it. It was super clean and only had 200 hours on it. If you get a good one you will love it and pray for more money so you can get a larger Scarab. A couple of pics of mine.