Cigarette or Scarab?
 

I am new to the site but it looks like this is the place to be for all your powerboat needs. I am looking at buying either a mid 90's 38 ft Scarab or early 90's 38 ft Cigarette. I am trying to get some information as to which one would be the best selection. Which one has the most dependable hull, performance capability, best in rough water, ect. Any information will be appreciated.

Cig by far. It will take more HP to move the Cig though.

I agree, Skramers 35 cafe rides better then all the 38's of other brands I have been in...you will also pay more for a Cig, worth every penny...

If you want to get a little newer and not have to spend as much fixing it up get a later model steped hull 38 Scarab. They will go a lot faster and burn less gas and they eeeeeat water like an old straight bottom cig. Not a loose as a new TS TG. But I am sure I will catch some flack for that comment. A lot of them had a lot of upgrades form the factory also like AC, Toilets, etc.

I used to have an old 38 staggard scarab. It would eat water, but it took a lot of power to almost make it fast.

You can pick up the late model scarabs starting around 75K running. 500EFI's run high 70's and maybe punch 80 on a good day. Same engines in an old gun will be in the high 60's and probably not see 70 very often.

Just my .02, from riding in all of the above listed.

Of course the scarab is a better deal dolla fo dolla, but Old cigs are still Cigs.

I like all of them, so have fun and pick one you want to live with, because old boats are hard to get rid of once you have poured your heart and soul and wallet into.

buy what you like, do a search on here.. you will find more info and weeks worth of great reading..... good luck, and i dont really see how you can go wrong.. both rigs are every young boys dream..... stecz

Speed,performance,longevity,and value,SUTPHEN!!

Also a very good choice. :ernaehrung004:Just not as readily available. :mad:

Apache:food-smiley-007:There I said it:evilb:

oh, you' re going to hell for that one.....:party-smiley-004::party-smiley-004:

We are going to hell and I'm driving the bus:rolleyes:

cool, this way i can drink in the back on the way there...:evilb::evilb:

I would like to think it would be Kosher to drink & drive on your way into Hell. If not, then what's the point of Hell anyway? Kinison would have been bummed.

On boats, just like anything else, there's the "get what you pay for" quotient. This is a sliding scale of what went into the boat and what does it cost. Not always does this correlate to quality. Some manufacturer's spend their (your) money on flash and features. So you really have a triangular graph, not a straight line with price on one end and quality at the other. You can get maximum flash and maximum quality but at the sacrifice of affordability. If you have to move back from that point, I'd move back from flash and go towards quality.

Cigs are built very well and styled straighforwardly. They're built of quality componentry. They also carry a premium price due to the brand name, but that also supports your resale values. Old Cigs, properly maintained, should be worth close to what you paid for them years after you bought them. A Scarab isn't really a Scarab. That's a name that Wellcraft licenced from Scarab Racing, along with the basic hull design. They're fairly well-built, but not to the level of Cigarette. The componentry and craftsmanship is solid, but again, not at the level of a semi-custom boat. And since Wellcraft exited the performance market and dropped the Scarab line, pricing support for the brand has softened. But you can still get alot of boat for your buck.

A couple of other thoughts-

There are alot of other high-quality brands out there, so don't limit yourself. Become knowledgeable on the differences- how they're coinstructed and how they're rigged. And with what components. Consider your needs- you may only think you're looking for big & fast, but if you have a wife/GF (or both) that wants to come along and that wants a cabin and a head and a big cockpit to bring all of her stripper girlfriends along, you may want to accommodate that need. Buying the wrong boat just because of a good price or a compulsive purchase can really come back to haunt you.

Cigarette is the "Harley" of performance boats. They aren't the fastest (with the same power), but they are the coolest! :cool:

As others have said, you will pay a little more for the Cig, but the same can be said of a Harley.

I have a 1990 Cigarette Bullet and I love it. :D

I like your choices between Scarab and Cig. I love both boats and own a Scarab. Give me a choice and I would want a Cigarette. Why, quality, cabin room, looks and the cool factor.

In response to the comment a Scarab is not a Scarab,, BullChit. The Wellcraft Scarab is a Larry Smith designed hull built by Wellcraft. Larry Smith is the original designer and built his Scarab's thru Scarab Racing in Calif. then licensed Wellcraft the rights to build them. There is a difference between LS Scarab and a Wellcraft Scarab because the Wellcraft boat is a production boat and an LS Scarab is a race boat built one at a time.

I don't think you could go wrong with either choice both boats like the water rough or calm. Have fun searching and remember to enjoy the ride. :ernaehrung004:

He didn't hesitate for a second to get back on a short bus like old times, LOL!!!!!!!!

While you elaborated a bit more, we pretty much are saying the same thing. Many people, including many Scarab owners, don't know the difference. No insult intended.

JMS5051,
My advise is to know the manufacturers history and more importantly know the history of the boat you're buying.
There are stories on this site regarding a variety of boats from good manufacturers that were not maintained or brutally run that ended up costing the new owner much more than their projected budget.
ed

Cool, therefore a Wellcraft Scarab is a Scarab. :ernaehrung004:

you tell him, that sunkin thinks he knows everything....:evilb::evilb:

:cool-smiley-027:

Thanks for all the input. I knew I would get some good feedback. I am definitely going to keep researching this site to learn as much as I can about these boats and some others.

im not the king of the a holes for nothing you know.....:evilb::evilb: when you make head a hole, must be a pretty good story behind it....:evilb:

Why is there always a story behind an A Hole with you:party-smiley-004::evilb:

It is more important to research where the boat has been than where it was built based on some of the ones that I have contact with in the past, but I think if you buy a nice one of either brand you will be happy. Spend a little money on your surveys and spend a little time finding out the histories.

I think most of the board will agree that knowing what you have after buying a good boat is better than knowing what you have BUILT after spending way more money on buying a deal that turned out to be a turd.

Good luck. You will love either one.

interesting question:party-smiley-004:

Excellent advice.

Cigarette

Do I have to SAY it?
 

You KNOW my recommendation is to have it properly surveyed before you buy ANY boat you decide to purchase.
(For a while some financial institutions wanted a survey on NEW boats!)

A Larry Smith scarab is much closer to a Cigarette in value, construction and resale. Like Cigarette, the LS scarab is not bolted or screwed together at the rub rail, but completely glassed around it's 360 degree inside perimeter.

Good Luck in your hunt for your toy.

Here is a good candidate. Pretty good deal. I would consider it if I had the money. Worth a look.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...285134315&rd=1

Could be a Winner
 

Fresh water boat, good colors, good trailer, great steering, good options. Most of these came through with 470hp rather than 415s. I doubt it will sell that cheap.

Just so you know buddy, all us a holes need a leader, just glad YOU stepped up so one of us did not have to!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!

It's an 80 - 82 mph boat with 500efi's on a good day. Probably runs in the low to mid 70's as is.

Put in some run of the mill 600 or so HP, 540CI engines and some CMI's and you have a really kick azz boat, that is turn key reliable and running 90 +- but cruising at 65 and this hull loves that speed in nasty 2-3' chop.

Also the step hull on this boat is not as loose as th TS TG. The old conventional TG with the 540's will still only run in the mid to high 70's.

Your fuel bill will be a lot less with the Scarab.

I've been watching this one.. Looks like a great package

If I was in the buyin mood I would definitely look at it. Nice.

I was in your position 16 years ago. I will share my experience with the 90's Cigs and scarabs. I wanted either a Cigarette or a Scarab, I ended up buying a Scarab and have been very happy with them. Why the Scarab: The cabin was nicer and laid out better for an overnight with my three daughters. We can sleep five in the cabin. It has an enclosed head, important when my daughters have friends out. The cockpit felt larger and more comfortable.

Performance wise, the Scarab was much faster with the same power and the ride was better as well. The Cigarette, at cruise speed felt like a cork in the water. I remember that the Scarab stayed on plane at 2800 rpm while the Cig. took close to 3500 rpm to get the boat to feel as if it wasn't laboring. I was disappointed. Now that was an older '92 or '95 Cigarette...I can not remember.

I was on a Playboy in the inter coastal as a guest of Cigarette back
I believe in 2000. We where running about 60- 65mph and it seemed to run well.

Then in 2003 I saw what I perceived to be a good deal on a Tiger.
I went to Florida and the boat was just too rough. Awesome looking boat, but the cock-pit is too small and no head.

Cigarette has always done a nice job with graphics and I realized that's was what I was attracted to. I also liked the helm of a Cig.

I suggest you look at well taken care of Cigs and Scarabs, test ride them, see which fits your needs.

I hope this helps.

i am always here for my people.....:ernaehrung004:

Thanks for the heads up. This boat does look good. I have never had a boat surveyed. What all does this consist of and does anyone know a good one in the area where this Scarab is?

I hear through the grapevine that post #31 is the guy you want to take a look.

I agree with Jeff!