WHAT SHOULD I DO?
 

Ok guys, here is the deal. Im thinking about RIPPING OUT every electrical wire in my boat and replacing it. Im tired of shorts, grounds, non working guages, starter motors, etc.

Total cost is $1800 (professionaly installed and rigged) If I do this, the reliability of my boat should increase significantly. However the boat is a 78... but its a beautiful boat with a perfect hull... but it is old... ARGH!

or......

DONT DO IT, and buy a new boat next summer.

Some of you know my boat, others dont... please dont rag on me. :eek:

The new boat would prbbably be a Scarab sport with outboards, im thinking.

Much better for diving...
(primary use...)

your thoughts?

The money is well spent. None reliable boats are no fun at all.

A new Sport with twin OBs will set you back a lot more that $1800.

I did that last winter. replaced EVERYTHING. had a bare hull. seems to work pretty good, had a stern light wire come loose that was about it all summer, other than getting the damn painter (damn painters!) out to paint it the project went pretty good.. what do ya have to lose?

Nick, Don't do it before Friday if you do so you can run up to Long Beach with us.....

DL :D :D

NS,

I just totally rewired my Pantera took off the stock set-up and redid the whole thing. I live in Ventura but my boats in Oxnard if you want look at it and get some ideas come on down and you can take pictures and take down notes. it's not to hard to do just time consuming and I've probably spent no more than 400 doolars.

Yeah Nick... get it done so you can come play with us again .....Friday is the day.

For you.... I'd definitly be talking to Stinson about getting into one of the twin OB center consul's ( 300's w/ clevers ) ... Get a used one ..Scarab makes one that hauls balls.... and I see them all the time in Newport........

See ya friday...
Rick32 :D

Well, Nick ol' pal, that's a big decision. Correct me if I'm wrong, but a lot of the problems you've had were mechanical, which an electrical re-rigging wouldn't fix. Rewiring isnt' going to change the fact that those motors and drives are close to collecting social security...

OTOH, $1800.00 is a LOT cheaper than a new boat, which would also cost more to insure. And - believe me on this one - when you're shopping for that new ride, you'll be telling yourself "hey, $X payment isn't that much, yadda yadda yadda" - 6 months down the road you'll find all sorts of things you could be doing with that money :(

IF the hull is solid (as you say), and the mechanicals are squared away and reliable (no more drive or steering problems, water in the oil or other nastiness), and you realize that you're never going to get that money out of the boat come time to sell, go for it. You'll end up with boat that is either paid for or a substanstially lower payment than new, with some class and character that you really don't find these days (and this from a guy that owns a 1999 :rolleyes: !). But I'd hate to see you drop almost $2K into it and then grenade a drive or tranny, or find the stringers are rotted out, or some other sign of old age 2 months later.

Side note - I know you've had trouble with finding good help before (when you have to have Stinson help and fly Audiofn out from the East Coast, you're talking bottom of the barrel :eek: :eek: ;) j/k guys!!) - are you sure that this guy is the 'real deal' and that he can do the whole job for the quoted price? Hate to see him get the boat half apart and start the old "oh, it's gonna be a little bit more because the flux capacitor is bad - I didn't have that in the estimate." You know what I mean...

Good luck bud - she's a sweet old boat. Tough decision... :confused: :confused:

If the Hull is good and the Engines and Drives are also I would do the repair and plan on keeping the boat for many years. What the hell, it is a classic design and a new boat is a fortune. You only need one wire, the ignition wire. The rest just distract you. :D

NO Ragin, Iwas going to see about
picking up my tools this weekend,
And I can look at the job.
You wont get a lot of $$$$ for it the way it is anyway.
EMail me Mike J.

Maybe you should just rerig it with twin 300 promaxes and get the best of both worlds.New wiring and more cockpit space for alot less than a whole new boat.Just a thought.

What would a pair of 300's cost ...anybody ?? just curious.

J.m.

i know someone that just rigged a wied old donzi cat witha pair of promax300s i think witheverythign including external steering and jack plates it was just under 50k

oh yeah nick. If you can afford the new boat go for it!!!!!!!!!! Just make sure its a scarab!!!!

Nick, As a older Scarab owner {83 Scarab-3} I personaly would spend the money and do it. I don't know about you, but
not having a big boat payment makes boating a lot more fun...owning a "classic"is kind of cool! you seem to have worked out alot of "bugs" already and buying another used[I assume you'd buy used] you could be starting over..I've done alot on mine with minimal cost..a fraction of new cost. I did buy new in 1993..had alot of problems it went back to the factory three winters in a row!!my 2 cents...Dave

First you should pay me!! :mad: :mad:

Second you should rewire the thing yourself and save yourself a lot of money. Just take your time and label wires as they come off. Not a hard thing to do just takes time and patience.

Jon

Get the new boat, haven't you had other problems that are not electrical related. It's nice when you don't have to wonder what's gonna break next. Good luck!

Do you mean new as in brand new Scarab Sport or new to you meaning used Scarab Sport?

Compared to 1978 a 95 would be brand new....

Thinking of getting a 95 hull with no motors , and new warrantied outboards...

hmmmmmmmm..

audio, $80 bucks for airport parking!

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Oh all right.

Dude, I would do it myself, but I SUCK as a mechanic... dont you follow my post.

Id try and turn on the boats engine, and a whole city block would lose power. I **** you not.

Wanna come to LA again??!??!

No it was 89 bucks!! :eek: I was there for 9 days. 10 bucks a day.

Nick, I agree with Jon, you should try it yourself. I did my 79 Nova from the ground up, and I'm about to do it again with that stupid formula 357 if I ever get the title. The thing is, most anxiety and problems for boaters come from not knowing your boat systems well enough to trust them. If you wire it yourself you know every nut ,screw and connection. If you buy another boat you'll be right back where you started because you wont know the history or any details of that boat either.You may find yourself trying to make the same decisions and this time you'll have a nice payment to go with it. Just my .02.
Plus there is lots of help from this board if you get stuck. Joe :D

Joe we can fix that title problem when ever you are ready bro :D :D

Jon, thanks but the wife told me to butt out and she will handle it. She thinks the stress is gonna kill me. I told her about your offer and she said she wants to try the more koscher approaches first "no offense", but we both appreciate your willingness to help. I'll keep u informed of our progress. AND.....now back to Nick.
Joe :D :D

Go for the new harness.
That boat is worth it.
Once the electrical glitches are solved you can concentrate on other areas.

Hey Nick- I feel your pain. I have an older boat as well. I was also tired of fighting the electrical gremlins.

I went through my wiring myself. I found that 80% of my problems were at the connectors- most from flexing and corrosion. Old wire that has not been exposed to chemicals, corrosion, heat, or flexing will probably be ok.

I agree with Jshane. I now know where every fitting, connection, and wire is located. If my boat has troubles on the water, I not only know the rigger to blame, but he is on board! It's not difficult, just time consuming.

Our old boats are some of the easiest to work on. Just like cars, the newer ones need much more than a screwdriver, a pair of pliers, and a timing light!

Let me know if you need some help.

Hey Nick - sucking as a mechanic and sucking at wiring are two different things. Trust me, I suck as a mechanic too, but I was an audio installer for about 7 years. I think you could handle the re-wire, as long as you take your time and mark everything as you go.
Evevn with all new harnesses, distribution panel, etc., you'd be WAY under $1800.

Hey Nick;

Keep the classic if its solid. I have an 85 and its sweet having something different at the dock. It takes a little more TLC than a 2001 but its yours and the best part PAID FOR.... No guilt if your not out running one weekend when the suns shining because your not paying a grand a month to pay for your toy. Do the work, save your $$ and enjoy. The bottom line is, when your out there and running, if its a 2001 or a 1975, its all good. ;) :)

Amen and well said, NI! :D

Now if I could only convince my wife...

Shes telling me I should buy a new one...

:eek: :eek: :mad: :mad:

Honestly, I too love the old boat... but my wife thinks it will be eternally doomed to failures...

But, there arent many like my boat left... I have never seen one in the water, and many on the side of the road as salvage...

If you havent ever seen my boat... have a look at

http://www.websitemonster.com/nico/MY_BOAT/my_boat.html

[ 11-21-2001: Message edited by: NICKSLICK ]

Hey Nick,
Went to your website. Man!those are the wierdest looking 502 EFI's I've ever seen. Just jerkin your chain....she's a beautiful boat keep her. If you want a new look cut twenty feet or so off that windshield :D I always wanted to do it on my Nova but the nose was too snubby looking. Joe :D :D

Nick, You got the go-ahead from your wife for a new boat and you still think there is a decision????? I've seen your boat. Its a classic and has alot of personality. I've also seen your posts about all of the problems. Why dont you call me at the office and we can talk trade in. With the inventory I have Im sure we can come to some arrangement. New boat 5 year warranty. Im sure if you added up what it costs to keep paying someone to fix your classic per month, its close to a new boat payment. 949-240-2266 Matt. By the way, Why didnt you show on saterday???

Can you say, distinctive?

Also, there kinda nice comming back from Catalina when the cold wind is blowin, and you just climbed out of the water...

At night.

Oh yea, I had 502 EFI in my old boat, and forgot to change it, it was a single too.

[ 11-21-2001: Message edited by: NICKSLICK ]

Why do you post such difficult questions???

DMan

Nickslick,

I am a diver as well, I would go with the new boat especially since you have the wife's permission. Those scarab super sports look like a blast and would be easy to clean up after you boated your latest spearfishing catch.

I wish I had the diving you have! Ever been ice diving?

[ 11-21-2001: Message edited by: Vern ]

Nick,
I wasn’t going to put my .02 in till I went to your page, and saw the boat. Are you kidding? That boat is great. Re-wire, Re-wire, Re-wire. Even if you pay the $1800. to have it done it will be worth it when you start making the payments on the New (used) boat. I had a Scarab Panther 1987, a lot like your “S” type, and I loved that boat. Don’t think New warranted motors are all they are cracked up to be. I have (2) 300X’s on a Skater, one blew with 60 hrs. on it, and the same one went with ½ hour on the engine. I know I have to spend $5,000. for the extended warranties if they are available. Can’t own these motors without one, and that is hoping they honor any claims after the Merc. Warranty is up. Re-wire, You can do a lot of repairs for the $600 a month or whatever the payment is going to be, plus your boat will never lose any more money, in fact on those boats it is a sellers market, there is not a lot of good ones left. The new “used” boat will lose thousands each year.
Philip

ice fishing...

Nah, I might want to have kids some day!

bhahahahah!
:eek: :eek: :mad: :mad:

Nickslick,

I like your ride, but the bottomline is

1) Your wife approved!!

2) Will you have to change your life style
to afford the "new boat"??

If you answered yes to question 1
and no to question 2.....then get it!!

If you answered yes to question 2, then re-wire and wait little. The boat looks great! and it's a classic!

My .02 :D :D

Pantera24

[ 11-21-2001: Message edited by: Pantera24 ]

Slickster....it comes down to emotional attachment to your boat, which I know you have deep hidden feelings for :eek: ..you should...it is a classic!!! It is also a 78 and I don't know if your weekly woes will stop with a rewiring job???? With older boats, it is always something, hell, it is always something with newer boats!!!!

The other question is if you sell the SCARAB, then what...unless you get a new or used boat with new outboards, you will still have all the headaches...so, this question is tough to answer if you don't know exactly what you will be getting next. I owned a 30 foot SCARAB Sport with Evinrude 225's for three years and absolutely had a blast with it....I put 1600 hours on those engines and hull and beat the living crap out of it....just could not get enough of it, so that is a great choice....also, it comes down to finances...where is your limit and where is the wife's limit???? Tough questions...I wish you luck...I know your frustration....take care and have a great Thanksgiving!

DMan

nick if you do decide to wire it your self.solder all conections , sure it sounds like a pain but its well worth the effort.you'll spend far lass time doing the extra work but far less time chasing down problems later. and instead of labeling wires it may be easier to draw schmatics as you remove wiring, that way you get everything out of the way and can start with a clean slate, so to speak.good luck :cool:

I've never done this, but would you accomplish just about the same thing by going over and redoing all of the connections and replacing only the wires that truly look bad? It seems like most shorts and wiring problems are at the connections. This could save some money, but assumes that the wiring is correct now. Maybe you could contract out the really important ignition and battery stuff, and do the less important stuff yourself (lights, accessories, cabin wiring). And like has been said before, that $1800 put towards a new boat might make 3 (or 2) monthly payments. It is a great looking boat...