New guy here who needs some advice.
 

I am in the market for a boat. I have owned 2 flat bottom V-drive boats that each did over 90 so speed on the water isn't new to me, however, speed in a big boat will be. I sold my last one a few years ago because it was just to one dimensional. I am currently looking in the under $50,000 range for a boat that will see both ocean and lake use. I would like to be able to run at least a legit 75+. Currently I have four boats that I am seriously considering:
1. 1991 Scarab 38 Excel with 2 SCed 588s
2. 1983 10 meter Fountain Executioner with injected 502s
3. 1986 Wellcraft Excalibur Cat 32' with 2 500mpi's
4. 1989 Regal Velocity 30' with 2 SCed 575s

All are around the same price and condition. I would appreciate any advice, pros/cons, suggestions on any of these boats. Thanks in advance.

Scarab is a nice boat that will hold it's value pretty well. The Fountain is a decent rough water boat but fairly heavy. The Wellcraft cat is the mutt of the litter- avoid it at all costs. The Regal Velocity isn't a Velocity, it's a Regal that looks like a Velocity and built under licence.

On the Scarab, Blown 588's are alot of motor. They're also expensive to maintain and repair. You don't mention what drives- on these boats you'll likely have TRS drives which have been discontinued for some time and possibly early Bravos that aren't going to hold up under bigger power.

With all used boats, the key is condition. Not just what it looks like on the outside but things like transom/stringer rot, mechanical issues, hidden damage/repair, etc. Not on emember on this board will disagree that you need to have whatever prospective purchase you're considering fully surveyed by a known high-performance marine surveyor. Not a generalist.

I don't know where Summerville South Carolina is but we do have some members down that way that I'm sure can help or point you towards boats. If you run across a fat guy by the name of "Fred"... run. :)

This might be helpful- where do you plan on boating, who goes with you and what's your budget?

Just my wife and probably my dog will be the main ones who come and then the obvious 2-4 friends. Summerville, SC is about 20 miles Northwest of Charleston, SC. My budget is $50,000. The motors on the SCARAB only have 40 hours on them and the drives are 2006 XR Drives with Imco sportmaster lowers. I guess the Wellcraft CAT isn't a good idea. Cool, thanks for the heads up. I'm sure others will chime in.

The scarab sounds way too go to be true. The driveline is worth more than the asking price. I'd look into why.

No matter what you buy or who is selling it, get a survey and include the motors. Make sure the surveyor is reputable.

The scarab if everything is right might be a good boat. You're asking a lot from the drives. Who build the motors? A poorly built SC can mean very expensive rebuilds.

Take your time and choose wisely. This is not a purchase you want to regret.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...Excel-92145986


This is the Scarab that I was talking about. The owner is supposed to be emailing me some more pictures. Let me know what you guys think.

How much does a surveyor cost and how do I find a reputable one?

I think it's a great deal if all is ok. make sure to have it surveyed. I wish I could have found that deal a year ago.:evilb::cool-smiley-027: good luck

I would have Ed Cozzi come up and look at it- he's worth the few extra bucks to have him travel. The Scarab looks like a steal to me- documentation would be very important though. If the guy has a folder full of recent receipts and the names & phone numbers of the guys who did the work, tha puts this deal much further ahead.

If you wan't to by a hell of a boat for that money look at GSAAUCTIONS.GOV there is two 1997 - 42' fountains that will be around that money. I have bought boats from them before I have always done well. If you don't buy one of these keep watching. I would by one of those boats in a heartbeat. Fly down there and check them out or have someone that lives there check them for you before you go. There are a lot of people on this web site that live there that wan't to make a quick $100.00 to check them out and tell you about them. If you have the money you will never find a sweeter deal.

I came from small fast boats also. You are going to get bored quick with these boats. Just my 2 cents:D

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didn't know if you were kidding.

If you've gone 90 in a v-drive 75 is going to seem real slow pretty quickly in a bat that is probably 4-5 times the size (by mass). Much smoother and a whole different experience for sure but I know when I stepped from a supercharged jetboat into a 80mph bigger boat I was on the revlimiter and wanting more real quickly. I'm still wanting more...:D

here's one
 

Here's one close to your price, 1994 38' Fountain Fever, freshwater boat with 502EFI's, 415HP. 220 total hours. Recent paint, interior and upgraded dash.

more pics
 

more pictuires............... a little slower than you wanted, right at 70mph??

Started out at 18 mph in an alum Sears Gamefisher. Been 100+ in a tunnel but that was baby sh!t. 178 in a cat will get your adrenaline going. 130 in a V will wake you up. :)

Leaving Port Everglades in a 38TG with while the sun is setting on a friday night at 8! mph with "in the air tonight" on the stereo with the boys is as good as it gets. You cant do that in an 18' boat on a river.

What is the price and where is it located?

I think our boy wants to give up the 30-second blasts across ponds and start running rollers out in the Atlantic. The former is OK but gets old after a while. The latter never does. Running a 10,000 lb vee up the back of a big swell, from a hole so deep you can't see the horizon, then jumping across to the next one is a pretty satisfying substitute for max speed. With or without the Miami Vice soundtrack.

Bill- the MV music is covered under under my Sonny Crockett Wannabe franchise. Please remit your check this morning.

This is going to get expensive. I even ordered a working "brick" Motorola phone last night. I think it will be pimp for the poker runs :)

If you get the platinum package, you can have an aluminum briefcase full of white powder, a black friend with a funny, unrecognizable accent and drive a kit car with overdubbed Ferrari sounds. You can also get a sound-effects device to make your blown big-blocks sound just like outboards. Or is it the other way around. Anyway, all this for one low monthly fee. Plus, we'll throw in the phone AND you can date Sheena Easton.

WHERE DO I SIGN? LOL Wait, thats already the program we have in Ft. Lauderdale................ except now its LV briefcases, white guys with Russian accents, Mercedes SL's that sound like Lambo's and boats with mufflers and Turndowns. And it's playmates instead of singers

Hey, you can be a wannabe or you can have the real deal, 80's style.

EXACTLY!!!

Then stick with a deep vee over 35 feet in length. Stick with a name brand because unless you spend a half-mil, you'll be wanting to upgrade in the first month or so. There's no such thing as "too much" in this game and you're going to probably need to sell it to get the next bigger/faster one. Scarab/Cig/Fountain sell better than the less-recognizable boats.

Until that CC with a load of fisherman passes you!:D

I wasn't suggesting he stay in a v-drive lake boat. Just that if he was in that fast of a lakeboat he's probably going to find himself gravitating toward a faster offshore boat.

Blume, do you know the previous owner of that boat?

That's a nice looking boat but only Stecz would like that "pride" sunpad. :grinser010::party-smiley-004:

Gotcha. You have been a lot of help and I appreciate it.

I found out why the Scarab was being sold at such a good price. Apparently it was listed at $70 a couple weeks ago but the owner ran into some financial problems and needs money. It looks like I might have been in the right place at the right time. I am going to look at it tomorrow. Hopefully all goes well and I come home with a new toy.:D

The Scarab looks good. From the hardware on the transom, it looks like a lot of money was spent on keeping it updated. I came from the blown Sanger flatbottom ranks as well. It is nice to take more than one person and not worry about being swamped. I enjoy how everyone thinks that capped hulls are new, My 79 was beautifully capped. You won't regret the change.

Find a clean Cigarette Bullet. It will hold its value better than all the above.

yes, i sold it new in 94. it is a two owner boat, i know both previous owners. it has 222 original motor and hull hrs. the owner just bought a 47 with tripple 600sci's and wants this one gone!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I went and checked out. It was a beautiful boat. Motors made 870Hp each. However, when I told the broker over the phone how much money I had to spend and asked him if the owner would consider my offer he told me YES. I wanted to ask before I made the 600 mile round trip. Unfortunately, he never bothered asking the owner how flexible he was on his price. Needless to say, I drove for 10 hours yesterday to look at a boat that I can't afford.

I wish you'd have mentioned the broker thing beforehand. 99.99% of them are lazy & worthless.

You might want to drive up to my place and check out my 94 Fountain 38 Fever with a pair of 565's. Send me a PM or an email address and I'll send you some pictures and info or call me at 843-458-0001. It's not advertised presently, but will be shortly.