Another boat I'm looking at
 

Another Ebay boat. Any comments / knowledge / recommendations?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2449579761

Looks like a sweet boat, I would think of putting some wilder grafx on it.

Will:cool:

HotRod-
I also noticed that boat on E-bay.. looks like a great deal for a 91, 38...

i can't speak for that boat but did take every screw out of a 89 38 Excel.. good boat for the money...

get a survey!!!!!!
ive talked to addwaterandgo the seller about 2 other boats they have and ill just say that they have a different view then me on what "good condition" means. i was contacted by a member of another boating site about a boat they have that he looked at and it has a rotten bulkhead. the broker never mentioned it to me when i inquired about it :(
the scarab might be a very good boat. just be carefull!

Still Looking
 

OK, I have emailed and talked to this broker. He sent a lot of nice pictures of the boat. Says there is nothing whatsoever wrong with the boat except the silent choice exhaust won't switch back and forth, has something to do with the vacuum. Everything else is excellent. If I get real serious I will get a survey. The boat is at Victory One Marine -Dickinson, Texas. Any suggestions for a reliable survey? The asking price with aluminum trailer is $45,500. I am thinking he will still come off 2-3K but not sure yet. Is this too much, about right, a steal? I am not in a hurry and if this doesn't sound reasonable let me know. Your opinions and experience are appreciated.

You may want to pay a Merc Mechanic to pop the gears out and have a peak. A 91 will have some hours on it. Might be useful as a bargaining chip.

That boat looks great for the price and if I werent looking for a house we would be bidding against each other. If your serious, I would delete this thread!

Boat has 400 hours and the engines have 85 hours since freshening. Is this about right for a 12 year old boat? Seems low to me but I'm no expert . Any suggestions on getting a survey?

http://www.marinesurvey.org/index2.html

heres a list of SAMS surveyors in texas although if it were me ide rather get a recommendation from an oso member in the area.

A recommendation from an OSO member would be excellent. I would even pay a fee for a good unbiased opinion. How would I contact a member in that area?
(possibly a new post with Texas as the subject?)

If it's as nice as described and you're serious about it, I'd call the seller and tell him you'll take it under two conditions:

1) The trailer comes with the boat for $44,500.

2) The sale pends on the results of survey amd inspection.

All in all it looks like a nice find. I dont know much about this model, but the Scarabs always caught my eye.

Nice looking boat. Good luck.
Another thing you might check is the Bravo drives. There have been two upgrades to the uppers since 1991. The upgrade will run you about $1300 per drive. The shifting cone liked to weld itself to the gear. then you can't get it out of gear.

Don't worry about the switchable mufflers. They may be illegal where you boat, cause a lot of internal problems and there are better, much less expensive systems available which won't hurt performance and add a sweet tone. I'd sure take a close look, the price seems really worth while...

This deal is getting near the end of negotiations. 42K with the trailer - pending a good survey. If this isn't the right move somebody stop me before I sign on the dotted line!!

sounds like you beat em down alot HotRodr56!

price sounds good, hope the survey goes good for you!!

I was wondering how it was going. :)

Thanks for the help FeverFan. I couldn't get a test ride hooked up over the last weekend and didn't want to put you to more trouble. Your review of the boat was a nice bit of information to have before going farther with the deal. If the survey turns out good I think we are about to close this one up. Do you know any surveyers or mechanics qualified to do the inspections that you would recommend?

No, sorry.

You should start a new thread, title it Anyone know a good surveyor in Houston.

Good luck! :)

Seems like a nice boat to me.

Looks very well maintained and a cool boat, but its still a 1991 Wellcraft for $44+k??? I think the price is kinda high.

The picture of the scarab embroidery on the seat looks new. They did not hold up over the years. faded over the years.Mine faded .Ask if it been redone .if it has not ,it has not been used much.

I don't think that year came with closed cooling??

Did you get picture of the trailer.if it that old it may not be in good shape.it said it has a full cover that usually means some one care about the prance

When i bought my Scarab new in 1990 the new 38 Scarab was 115000.oo in 1990 with the 365 mags.

brokers commission is 10-15 %.I dont trust them

talk to the previous owner!!!History

A friend of mine just sold a 38 scarab 95 model for 78K with myco trailer.

One thing to think about. MAKE SURE it has no leans and mortgages.Clear title if its got one .Coast guard documentations will show this.

The price sounds good to me .Remember that pictures hide a lot!!

The stiching on my seats 91 31 held up great .
I think that's a good price for a 38 if in fact survey come's in good. Good luck.

Sold - But not to me
 

After much negotiating I thought I had a deal on the boat but before I put down a deposit someone else bought it out from under me. I would rather miss the good deal than rush into the bad one. Anyway I'm still looking and taking my time, but I did learn some things and that is good.
1. Brokers are mostly liars and swindlers
2. There are a lot of nice and helpful people on OSO, thanks to 105mph, GottaHaveIt, and Fever Fan for their help, advice, and general support while I pursued this boat
3. Brokers are mostly liars and swindlers - wait - did I already say that?

HR56,
Sorry it didn't work out for you, looked like a nice starter boat and a good buy as well.

Let us know what you're looking for and I'm sure we'll find it for you.;)

It wasnt me...but I wish it was. Happy hunting. Seems to be a lot of good deals out there now.

Somebody better check rags to see if he was the one who ganked it out from under you!:)

I know he's looking for an older Scarab. Looked like a sweet boat.

Sorry to hear that HotRodr. :(

I heard it had been out for a few test runs lately.

hotrod , you may want to go about it deferently next time.
posting it on oso brings the boat to everyones attention including other buyers.
next time strike a deal , put a deposit down w/credit card based on sea trial/survey then ask if anyone knows the boat or would look at it for you if its far away. there is still no garentee the broker wont screw you , believe me i know :mad:
as others have told me , be patiente and you will find the right deal.

Thanks guys, you have all been very helpful and I have plenty of time and patience to continue looking. I don't mind a fixer upper as long as it's not a total start from scratch project, so if you see anything 32'-38' with potential give me a shout.