1997 scarab 29 ft
 

looking to buy my first speed boat, and I found this 97 scarab with twin 350 mpi stock . is this a good boat for a first timer. and is this a good boat in general?

It's a good boat. Not so sure about for a first timer though. Not saying you couldn't do it. IMO a first timer would be something in the 18-24' range with a single engine. It's also going to depend on how mechanically inclined you are and where you will be useing it.

That will be a great boat for you.. Built like a tank, not too fast and if you blow an engine, a 350 is cheap.. Just don't expect a 70 mph boat.. I think it will run in the 58-61 range. What are they asking for it.

Chris

$24 k saltwater boat both engines has been replace within a year. I'm a great parts changer my mechanical skills are pretty good. I want a boat I can grow with and and still look like a big dog , lol and one day have a 90 mph boat with a lote of mods ? everyone tell me to buy a with twins why is that ?

I wanna travel and do poker runs, take small trips , im a pretty good mechanic . my buddy had a 27 ft 89 seebold eagle with a 496 chevy motor and we spent more time working on it on the water and getting towed in than enjoying it . im scared it will be hard to handel especially around a bunch of boats

Scarab made some good boats, so unless it hasn't been maintain properly, it should be a good boat. If you are boating on large bodies of water, which sounds like you are, twins will usually get you home when one motor has a problem. No more getting towed home. It will take a while for you to get used to the sticks, but twins are better when around other boats and in windy conditions. More to learn, but I wouldn't be afraid to buy it for that reason.

Everyone told me not to get my 302 scarab as a first boat and I had no problems. You just need someone to take some runs with you in the beginning to give you some tips. You have to watch for transom/stringer rot in that boat - that would be my biggest concern.