To power up or not to power up?
 

Hey guys-I have a 2002 29' Scarab. I've had it since new and it's powered with a 496 HO. The boat gives a great ride and is truly a Cadilac on water, but I've never been happy with the lack of power. Getting the boat to plane with only 425 HP is a pain......I think the boat need about 600 to 750 hp.
I research several engine manufactures and it appears that Raylar probably offers the best and most affordable up grade. Thier 600 hp upgrade gives me strenght for a supr charger should I need additional power.
Can anybody out there give me a reason why I should or shouldn't bother?.....Is it worth the effort or will I be disappointed?...Should I just go for a new boat?
Thanks,
jc

If getting on plane is your only problem, that could possibly be fixed with a different prop. Also do you have tabs?

Yes I have tabs.

Also I have changed to a 4 blade 22 inch prop, but it affects my top end. I use my 4 blade 24 to have better top end, but out of the hole becomes a problem.

from what I have heard everyone who uses the raylar kits seems to love them, good luck. they do say though that it is cheaper to just buy a faster boat then to make your boat faster

I'm actually more interested in knowing how the boat handels the extra power, with less weight....Does it become squirly and uncontrolable?

I have about 630hp in mine, with a 26p bravo it runs right at 70-ish @5200rpm and a normal load. I have a standard length bravo with a ext-box and external steering, there is nothing squirlly about it, runs like it on rails:cool-smiley-011: They are kind of a heavy boat for a single and they love extra power, just watch that bravo I'm on my second one:D

Thanks, that's the information I was looking for. I'm hoping my drive can handle the extra power. I presently have an Imco drive equivalent to the XR drive with a 2" shortie lower unit. I wonder how my boat will do with the shorter lower unit???...Faster or slower

From what I understand the scrarabs like the shorter lowers, thats the next thing on my list. Did you pick up any speed when you added it? What kind of speeds are you seeing with your setup?
Scott

I've only seen a maximum of 57 on my GPS at Lake Havasu in 100 degree weather. I have kissed 59 on a cold day in Northern California.
When I first bought my boat I was going to whipple, but because the 496HO was fairly new in 2002 I didn't want to take any chances.
Now I'll just pop in the Raylar 600, that should have enough strenght for an additional whipple if needed.

Sounds like a good plan with the raylar kit, i haven't heard of anyone being unhappy with them. Keep me in the loop when you do the kit, I'm interested to see how the boat responds to the new power with the short lower. I know you will not be dissapointed, they are awsome boats with a little power under them.:cool-smiley-027:
Scott

Boat gets squirrely over 70 with twins. K planes and external steering might help. Mine and my buds both have bennett tabs.

I do have external sterring, and the small benntt tabs that came from factory.
Here's a pic of my boat in action. A buddy of mine took a picture as I passed him at Lake Havasu.http://www.offshoreonly.com/gallery/...2&limit=recent

Your drive should be fine if you take it easy on it. The power is really nice to have especially in the midrange. My Scarab gets loose at around 70 but I believe it is due to a partially warn gimbal ring. I have external steering but still gets loose.

Thanks for the information. What drive out there is strong enough to handle this power reliably without going to a dry sump?
jc

bravo XR should handle it without problems. I have 25hrs on my bravo 1 pushing 620 HP threw it :) It's all in how you drive it if you ask me.

I run a pretty consistent 72 have seen as high as 74 with the right conditions.

Thanks, I'm hoping my drive handles the power. Another thing I'm planning to do is to blueprint the hull.