SoulDeepDan

Greetings OSO, new guy here (not new to boats) with some questions. I've always wanted a 30' Scarab CC and I finally found one in my budget, problem is it's been converted to I/O and I know nothing about I/O's.

The ad states that it is an 1985 hull that was converted last year with new transom, stringers, and fuel tank. 516ci BBC with 2 hours, Bravo drive, and runs 50+ MPH.

1. I was born a Ford man so my BBC experience is limited. Is 516 a common ci for a BBC? Anybody have a HP estimate?

2. How much fuel does something like this burn? Tank is only 100 gallon so I'm worried about range.

3. Is the Bravo going to make it more than 10 hours behind this thing, I'm thinking this is a lot of hull to push around with one leg... Any budget friendly ways to beef it up a bit?

Thanks in advance from a guy who is tired of boring boats.
(Sorry I can't post pics with this forum software, motor has stainless risers and has a carb... Demon or something similar.)

rchevelle71

iTrader: (1)

If your tired of boring boats, then don't buy that one. 50MPH in a 30 foot boat gets old fast.

TeamSaris

If your worried about fuel burn a carburated big block in a big boat is not for you

Thebossbultsma

iTrader: (1)

Put it this way my 24 foot predator viper wih a stock 454 burned up a bravo 1 last year cuz if got way to hot. So i bought a remaned bravo put on it with drive shower and I am going to be afraid of it breaking ever day this summer behind my 550hp 496 stoker. So it will be and easy on the troutle all year

Also 50 mph Realy gets old my boat only did 50 last year. And it sucked so this year I'm hoping she does over 70+ with this new motor I'm building. Will fine out at the end of this month.

cp5899

iTrader: (1)

Are you using this for fishing? I haven't seen to many 1980's cc converted into pleasure boats. I've seen them redone on tht as fishing rigs. If it is for fishing I would be concerned with range with a single 516" on that big of a boat "if" it's a fishing rig. If your looking for a performance pleasure ride I agree with the other posts. I would look for a different boat as 50mph would get boring since it would probably cruise mid 30's. My offshore cc runs 45-47 mph and cruises 30 and it is very boring. Lol

SoulDeepDan

I understand what you are saying but most of these boats have twin 250 outboards and run in the 60's on the pins. With the same HP and half the drag it should do 60 easy. Where I boat in Crystal River it is a 7 mile run to the Gulf with a 25mph limit. My old 21' CC did 39mph on it's best day, I would think the Scarab would be a little more exciting. Oh and I like to run my 31' Flybridge at 10mph so I guess I'm not an adrenaline junkie (not yet anyway).

TeamSaris

I give it 55 if its dialed in properly.
It will certainly be a nice riding, heavy, solid boat.
But I think id find one with outboards, thats what it was built for.
Good luck either way, being on the water beats not being on it!

Interceptor

If you're going to fish that boat you probably will need a kicker to troll, that 516 c.i. probably isn't configured for extended time at low rpm.
ed

SoulDeepDan

To answer the others in a nutshell. I would def put a drive shower on. My goal for this rig is part fishing and part screwing around, I just enjoy being on the water. I have always wanted a go-fast style boat (grew up watching Miami Vice) but do like to fish sometimes so I figured this rig might be a good compromise.

I know that this thing will be thirsty, I'm just looking for an idea of how thirsty at cruise. .5 MPG, 1 MPG ?? I would be happy with 35-40MPH cruise if that helps. Thanks for the posts!

TeamSaris

If its 500hp, it will roughly be 50gph at wot. If wot is 55, 40 will be somewhere around 4k. It will be very thirsty....better go for the big tank option