Bought a Scarab 22
 

Yesterday, I put down a deposit on a '98 Scarab 22. 7.4 carb, Bravo 1. Cosmetically in very nice shape, new upholstery throughout (pearl white with red and blue trim), new heads and Stainless Marine manifolds with Quick & Quiet y-pipe, new corsa tips, lots of other recent maintenance and new parts, 2 covers, 2 props.

I had a marine surveyor check the boat out, and he was impressed with it's condition, given it's age. Performed well on sea trial, hit 58mph (GPS) on a fairly choppy bay, with a full tank of gas and roughly 700# of passengers onboard. Indicated rpm was about 4200 at that point.

Some things that need repair: The shift boot on the drive is deteriorating, and the surveyor feels that should be replaced before anything else. I assume this is something I should take to a marine mechanic to repair... I'm pretty good with most automotive repairs, but cars don't sink when you don't fix them right :) How much should I expect to pay for that repair?

Other stuff is minimal -- battery boxes/holddowns, cracked gauge cluster panel, crappy stereo. Also need lines, bumpers, safety equipment too... Best place to buy this stuff?? Westmarine?

I'll get some pics up as soon as I pick up the boat next week.

Thanks!
Andrew

I had a shift cable and bellows replaced and I think he charged about 125 for labor and parts.

OK, so I'll double that for standard South Florida markup :)

Thanks,
Andrew

Let me know if ya wanna meet up sometime, I'll be out this Sunday weather permitting.

Yeah, that would be great, I'm probably not gonna pick up the boat until next week though, so this weekend is out. Where's your usual hangouts with the boat?

I have been restoring my boat for 3 years, but before that we hung out at Peanut Island, Bananna Boat, John LLoyd in Lauderdale, Shooters etc. Plenty of places to go:D

Weather may not let me get out this weekend,also gotta get my motor back together tomorrow. So we may put it off a week or 2, keep me posted when you get it.

Heres a few pics of mine at John LLoyd on Labor Day, still needs some graphics installed.

Congrats Andrew! You've got to put some pics up.
I haven't done one myself, so you guys chime in here, but if you're reasonably mechanically inclined, I don't think the boot is that involved. I'd bet getting the old one off is tougher than getting the new one on. Biggest issue is probably to make sure you use "bellows adhesive", which I've seen at Boat Owners Warehouse.
It's a good way to start getting familiar with the boat, and see what things you can do yourself, and what you're better off paying that South Florida markup for :D
As for boating goods, I love checking out Ebay & Craigslist before going local. Just depends on what you need. Flares & extinguishers you want to get from the store: West Marine, Boat Owners Warehouse, Boaters World, Bass Pro/Outdoor World, even Wal Mart can have stuff. Whichever is close to the house and stocks the parts you'll need. For example, my nearest West Marine doesn't stock a good selection of Bravo stuff, be it Merc/Quicksilver or aftermarket. But my "2nd choice store" stocks a bunch. You'll learn as you go.
Finally, not to take away from OSO, but check out www.raft-up.com for other people/places to go.
See ya' on the water...

Yeah, I may wind up trying it myself -- since I just blew the transmission in my Tahoe (tow vehicle), cash is gonna be tight! I got a quote for $300 or so, for new cable, new boot, and labor.

I haven't picked up the boat yet, I'll get pics when I do.

I think I'll go online and order the factory service manual later today -- I was going to get them from sterndrives.com, unless someone has a better source.

Thanks!
Andrew

ebay

Thanks, just found one (hope it's the right one, #11 seems to be the one that's widely available).

Congrats!

You're going to love that boat!

BTW,

That speed sounded about right for your load and conditions.

I don't have a gps, but my speedo read 65 with my Mirage prop, and now reads 68 with the new Mirage-Plus. This is in ideal chop conditions, fresh water and, trimming perfectly right.

Trimming with the new Mirage-Plus is very different. It seems to have a larger sweet spot. But the sweet spot is not as 'noticable' and 'sharp' as it was with the standard Mirage. Also, it doesn't seem as good out of the hole and you can feel slippage at times. But I did gain 3MPH on the speedo.

The Mirage-Plus has vent holes in it that are covered with rubber plugs. I think you can play around with these remove the plugs or get different size plugs... they are supposed to help your hole shot... I think... but not sure. Something to research this winter.

I would definately recommend this prop, though.

Andrew,

let me know if you are going to tackle it yourself, I have had a bravo drive off before, but it has been a while. I would be glad to stop by and give a hand.

Rick

Thanks for the offer, Rick... my priority right now is to get a trailer made for it (as if I have any $ for that after the transmission deal :rolleyes:)... Managed to fit the boat in my garage, but the tongue sticks out 3 or 4 feet.

I'll let you know what I decide to do... I'll probably head down to Ft. Lauderdale on saturday to drop off the boat/trailer so they can start working on a new trailer. I'll have the old one for sale if anyone knows someone (Performance brand trailer, galvanized, tandem axle, disc brakes on one axle but needs new lines, brand new tires, leaf springs, and winch).

As far as the props -- the boat was sold to me with 2 props -- a 3-blade Mirage 25P, and a 4-blade 22P. It was tested last week using the 3-blade Mirage 25.

-Andrew

Andrew congrats on the new boat. If your running a 25P 3 blade you should go with a 24P 4 blade.I will be getting one for mine, I will let you know how it works.

As far as the dash it can be fixed

any color you want

Get rid of the stock baffled tips if you have them & call TRICK marine and get these, Sounds like it should.

Ive been trough my boat from bow light to prop, any questions you have I would be glad to help.
Dennis
[email protected].
Dennis

Andrew,

let me know if you need anything, I just towed home a 23 Wellcraft Concept Scarab tonight wit a 220 hour 454/Bravo. I may be interested in trying out the 22 pitch 4 blade sometime on the Pantera, but have to put my other lower unit on first.

Rick

i had 23 labbed mirage on mine before upgraded power, great boat have fun, i stiil have the prop if you need it

Got a set of brand new (just installed in August) Corsa tips, so I'll probably leave those alone for now :)

Thanks for the offer, Rick, and Dennis, there's a good chance I'll wind up taking you guys up on your offers at some point. Once I get the boat back from the trailer shop next week, I'm going to change the drive lube and the engine oil, and probably the raw water impeller to play it safe, before I put the boat in the water. Where's everyone's preferred source for the impeller?

Thanks!
Andrew

I would just get one at West Marine locally, its a bit more expensive, but you dont pay the shipping. or get a run dry from Trick Marine.

I would go with a RUN DRY, Call TRICK MARINE and tell them your a member on OSO thy will be very nice to you:D

Just about everything on my boat is from TRICK.

I would go with the 23 Mirage Plus. I had that on my 1995 22' w/7.4 and it ran right at the rev limiter at about 63-64mph.
Mike

i just bought a 1996 scarab 22...its poweredby a 454 bravo one also...im not in the states...im from europe...and the boat is on its way...cant wait to see it though, :D if anyone has any information about these boats i would be glad to hear them out...

thanks

carlos