1987 26 ft LS Scarab....$?
 

Newbie here, Any body have a feel for what I would expect to pay for this NON running 26 ft LS Scarab? Trailer is a mess, needs 4 tires, hitch and brake work, interior needs to be re-done, 420 Mercruiser appears to have dropped a valve on #8, been sitting in a storage lot for many years. Otherwise the boat is intact. Engine is complete, transmission and drive are complete. Fiberglass and bottom are perfect, not a stress crack to be found anywhere. I'm a DIY'er so I'm not afraid of a challenge and wont have to pay someone to do my work for me. i just dont want to start off too far in the hole compared to what it would be worth back in top condition.
Thanks! Mark
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1000 Bucks I Will Take It

How long has it been sitting there open like that?
Months...years? I would assume years due to the amount of gunk and build-up. I would also go into it with the mind-set that EVERYTHING other than the hull needs replacing or re-furbished. Including all the likely dry-rotted boots, cables, etc...etc... That stuff adds up fast.

That is a great hull. I always wanted one.
There was a very clean 26 LS Scarab hull fully rigged but no engine for sale here on OSO earlier this year. I don't remember but I think it was listed for $13,000 and it looked in much better shape than this one. Mainly because it was running recently and hadn't sat in the elements for years. Basically (from the looks) it needed an engine and it would be ready for the water.

What is this worth? That's obviously the key question.
It all depends on what you are willing to pay for it and what you want your TOTAL investment to be in the boat. I think it is safe to assume that you'll need a few thousand $$ for the interior, another grand for stereo, assuming the out-drive is good (anyone's guess) you might get by with fluid change and re-lubing. Then there's the engine. Will you go with new power or rebuild this unknown engine? That could be a couple grand up to $10K...or more...depending on how radical you want to go.

Being VERY conservative (and assuming the drive is good) I bet you could be in the water having spent about $10-12K in renovations (after buying the hull) on this project. So if you got the hull for $5,000 it would seem like a good deal (to me) to have $15K-17K into a 26' LS Scarab. That doesn't include any gelcoat, fiberglass, or paint workl, stringers, or gas tank/tanks, etc...

But there are a LOT of "what ifs" in that scenerio. Most anyone here will tell you that whatever you have estimated to spend...double it. Then you'll have a more realistic estimate of what the project will cost you. Then again you might get lucky and all you need is a quick "freshen up" of the motor, some interior work, and hit the water. Obviously that is BEST case scenerio...which is rarely the case.

I looks like it will make a cool raceboat

WOW, well lets see, I think the guy be lucky if you just took it. Motor?? 3-8K depending on what it needs, interior 2K?? wires, cables and crap 1K you up to nearly 11K . I wouldn'rt offer anymore than 1-3K keep inmind you can buy a turn key boat for 12-20K right now much newer

It looks like your in NC so here is a comparison in NC, turn key ready to go.
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/boa/1462493815.html

It has been partially covered, not sitting out in the open. Its' been in this storage lot for 2 years, dont know where it was before then. The last registration is a '96. So it has been a while since it has been run. The hatch cover is not missing, I just removed it while looking at it. The wood framing on the engine cover hatch was so rotten that the hinges pulled out of the wood when I opened it. Interior vinyl is still soft and pliable, just moldy and a bit faded. Seat bases will definitely need re-work. Drivers seat and stainless prop are at his house. Floor is solid as jumping on concrete. All stringers and structure look perfect. Gel on sides and rear look great, will buff out nicely. Not so sure about the deck condition. Has too much dirt and grime on it to tell how bad it is faded. Engine has been protected from the weather. All cables and throttle seem to shift freely. Put hot battery in and lights, bilge pump and blowers worked. Solenoids clicked for each of the three trim motors but that was about it. Starter switch would not work, but starter button told me real quick that the engine was locked up. Pulled all the plugs and it all looked good untill #7 and #8. Something has hit both of them from the inside.
Here's how it has been covered for at least the last 2 years:
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If your stuck on Scarab here is a newer one in NC

http://greensboro.craigslist.org/boa/1459005794.html

The dirt and grime on the bow might have protected the finish from the sun somewhat. Might buff out nicely too.

I'd agree it's a boat that is definitely worthy of saving and putting some money into it.

I just went through something like this myself..you will have some money in it but if the stringers and transom are as nice as you say they are it's worth doing. I paid 3,500 for mine and got a better trailer. But I would do it again in a minute, I love the boat, and it has been trouble free since I put it into the water over a year ago. The trick is go thru everything..assume everything is no good..then be suprised when it is good. Good luck if you pull the trigger.:

Thats a sweet find! where in MI is it? I have a great engine and drive guy on the west side.

The more i look at it the more i like it

I agree...there is NO doubt that with a little effort that boat would be bad ass again!!

Great find.

If not going to get it, Can i get the infor from you

Mike

DITTO...

Whats the status with this boat? If it doesn't work out can I be third in line for the contact info. It looks like this would make a great P-6 Race Boat. Thanks

What's the word?

Done deal. I bought it. Still have not had a chance clean it up to see what I have. Just got wheels on the trailer last weekend, repaired the hitch and made sure it would roll ok. I'll post some pictures of it after I clean it up a bit.
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Congrats!!! It looks awesome. Look forward to the updates.

Nice! I've been watching this thread hoping someone would bring this one back to life. Looking forward to seeing how the work goes.

Very cool......your in for it.....Take your time and dont go crazy with the power....Congrats awsome boat....

Dammit!!!......I mean congratulations!! :)

Good luck, looks like a fun ride!

Congrats!!!
I know an excellent engine and drive guy in Marne if you need one.

Congrats!! Looks awesome and I'd love to get my hands on something just like it someday. I would, however, re-install the tabs along the lines of the V out by the chines. Best of luck.

Hull looks similar to the later model 26CV. Both great looking boats. Good luck!

Congrats - good luck with freshening her up and getting back on the water. Definitely a cool boat with great classic lines!!

Congrats!!!!! You Got One Hell Of A Boat!!!!!!!!!

I'd also get ahold of Nigel Hook and ask him about drive hight and battery/trim pump placement. I don't think anybody knows that hull better than Nigel, Not even the Manufacturer.

Eric,

A couple of years ago, that tab installation was thought to aid performance by not pushing "out"... Has that theory been disproven?

If it were me, I would leave them where they are. ...but unfortunately I not the lucky owner of this boat, so he will obviously do as he sees fit... I would imagine there were not many built...kinda like the 38... both very cool and rare boats... There was a 38 in NY "Jake the Snake" that i absolutely loved several years ago.

theory hasn´t been disproven, it still works.

And yes I´d leave the boats setup like it is and get some time with it.

Nice boat, all I can say.

Yes 38´s are rare but still on my last trip I saw at one place two ex Betty Cook 38´s...

Nice find....let's see some more pics!

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Great Find
 

Lot's of potential....

Thanks for sharing the photos. Good luck with her.

That's going to be a fun project!
Best of luck, and keep us updated.

I still remember when that hull design held the v-bottom speed record. The exact boat was all an red gelcoat boat and during a record attemp actually blew over backwards off a tanker swell at 115mph! Multiple pictures of the flip were in Powerboat magazine in the day. I may still have the copy - gonna have to look. Seem to remember it was a twin turbo motor.

Here's a pic of one for sale a few years ago - #5 drive and turbo motor.......

Awesome looking old school design!!

Enjoy!!

I believe this was the boat that either held the record, or was the one that flipped , or both. I do remember it was red and from archer marine. Kevlar hull I think.

Thanks for the pictures. It'd be interesting to see the blowover pics if you find them.

I hope to have some time to play with it next week, weather permitting. All I have been able to do up to this point is get tires on the trailer and cover it a little better than before.

After first round of cleaning...
 

I finally got it home and gave it the best bath I could at 28 degrees. Pulled the seats so I could get to the engine.
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I just bought a 1983 Kustom 29' that has massive old school Wolverine Marine K-planes. I have spent two weeks sanding and filling corrosion voids but they look sooooo much better and still not finished yet. I have sandblasted the heck out of them and filled in the rough spots with epoxy, and then sanded down again and again. I even redid the hydraulic cylinders because they were in rough condition also. Sandblasting is the only way to strip them all the way down, even the corrosion comes all the way out.

It's defiantly worth it to redo the trim tabs. The older wellcrafts scarabs are the best hulls wellcraft ever made. Nice boat.