Formula 382 vs. 38 Scarab with 500EFI
 

OK guys help me out. Wanting to add a 2nd boat to our saltwater location and looking at getting one of these two clean boats with the same engines and want to know which will be a better wave crusher and distance cruiser for the ditch or calm Gulf use. Ride quality is more important than top speed. Drivability and docking manners also important. Can those with experience on these two boats help?

Both are stepped hulls. Scarab AVS, and Formula Fastec.

My buddy keeps his 382 at my house and I have drove it a few times, he has the 500 efi's and its loaded with a gen, it's a 70-74 mph boat. I don't like it much for a few reasons to me there is no feedback to the driver when driving it does everything fine but you cant tell whats going on and the cabin is too small. I have only drove one 38 avs and just for a short time it had 575 sci's with boxes and was a much better feeling boat the cabin seems bigger in the Scarab too but not much. In the price range your in I would look at 38-42 Sonics too, to me ride better than the others in big water and are about the same speed without a step hull and the cabin is huge.

Scarab vs Formula
 

I really don't think you can go wrong with either of these two choices. In my humble opinion, I think the Scarab will be a little more nimble in the water than the 38 Formula. I've driven both and the ride is pretty awesome from both boats. For my taste, the 38 Formula was a little underpowered with the 500 HP's. I didn't get the same feeling from the Scarab. I'm not sure of the weight difference, but that may have something to do with it.

Most high performance boaters would love to have this dilemma!

GOOD LUCK!

:coolcowboy:

You already know my opinion and you missed out!! :party-smiley-004: :)


Never been in the scarab but I understand what was said about the Formula having "no feedback". It's a big wave crusher and compared to my 312 it's not as nimble.....just pounds over the waves without that fast skipping across the water feeling.

The Scarab will give the better ride when it gets snotty. The Formula will be faster on top.

Also make note that the Formula has a windshield that works versus a fairing on the Scarab.

Sonics. Didn't think about those.:coolcowboy:

I think you should buy a 63' sundancer and join the booze cruiser club also. But that is just me.

Sonics have great head room but the bow gets SOOOO skinny you can only sleep one person up there (or 2 double stacked!! :))

Thats why you get the fillers for the couches that make it bigger than a king size so you can sleep 3+ with toys and you can still see the porn on the tv.:party-smiley-004:

But I have slept 2 up front in my 42 and I am 6'5" 225# and my wife is 5'7" and 120# and we were fine.

38 Scarab AVS will run about 78-80mph with 500's
382 Formula Fastec will run 72-74mph with 500's.
I don't think you will see a dramatic difference in the rough water ride.

Hey thanks for all the deep and penetrating thoughts on how to use these boats. I also heard that the Scarab would be faster yet it doesn't have the swim platform or the notched transom of the Formula, i.e. it has a longer wetted surface. I wonder why that is.


PS t500hps you sold your boat??

first week of FEB to the first guy that came to see it.......actually had another guy call just days earlier saying he would buy it, then his current boat deal fell through (that guy never got here to see it). Full asking price and afterward he asked "why so cheap" :eek:)

Congrats on the sale. What's next?

I see some mention of Sonic's on here so .... what about a 45 with trip 525 EFI's loaded up real well? Shore power, custom extended swim platform, AC, generator, binimi top w/ full enclosure, TV/DVD, convertible lounge/berth with table, list just goes on, and it runs into the 80's on stock power. If of interest you can call 315-482-9931 and ask for Mark Lalonde, or check it out at www.hutchinsonsboatworks.com . Look in the used section.

The Formula is a little heavier and the AVS hull is faster.

Thanks for all the Sonic info guys but I'm looking for a stepped hull only. Let's face it - non stepped resale has been tough lately. I think for my use I am most interested in the Scarab although the Formula is a beautiful boat. If any body has/knows of a super clean 38 AVS w/ 500 EFI's let me know. Or a 38 Formula...Or a 37 Active Thunder

Scarab is a hard sale too because they don't make them anymore But I like it better than the Formula. On a older Formula you should be ok but they have such good intrest rates on new ones it makes it hard to sell. If you want the best resale in that range and big water ride you might want to look at a Top Gun, or a Active Thunder also. The Cig will be the best ride and a easy resell to the rest.

I will say up front that I have not been in an AVS but...

Build quality of Formula Vs. Scarab is not even a contest. Formula build quality is second to none. Every Scarab I have been on or seen are so-so. Between the two the Formula wins hands down...

Donzi may offer you something too. ZR for speed, ZX for comfort.

i got to say one thing you say resale is a big thing :drink:both boats are nice but here is the big ???? parts on the boat?? HOW MANY YEARS DO THEY STOCK PARTS FOR THAT BOAT????? DOORS WINDSHEID SEATS ANY THING TO DO WITH THE BOAT. I FOUND THAT I HAD TO CUSTOM MAKE PARTS FOR BOTH OF MY BOATS .I HAVE A BAJA AND A FORMULA .SO YOU MIGTH WANT TO SEE HOW MANY YEARS THEY STOCK PARTS FOR THAT BOAT ??????? GOOD LUCK:drink:

A 37AT just a couple miles from me is available....not listed but it's for sale. Owner pulled the genny out but it could easily be put back in. 2003 and more money than mine was.