After years of watching in awe as Scarabs (and other so-called performance boats) drove past me in my cruiser, I've finally joined the lucky group of Scarab owners. I just bought a 1997 31' Scarab with twin 502 Mag MPI's! So, now that it's only March and about 35 degrees here in NJ, the anticipation is KILLING me. Just a few questions for fellow Scarab owners. Can anybody guess what top speed I should expect? I'm inclined to think that I may have the wrong props. I bought the boat from somebody that only ran in the ocean, around here, it'll be quite a bit of bay running, I have 24" four-blade Bravo I props now. From what I've read, I should probably have 26". Does anybody have any ideas?
I'm sure glad that I found more perpole that are counting the days until the launch ramps open.

Cool - does it have a glass window or the Fiberglass faring. I always like the 31 much better than the 33 that replaced it. I think Scarab used to use 31's for the high performance boat driving school they used to run.

It's got the smoked glass fiberglass windshield. The 31 is really only the 33 without the integrated platform. The good part about it is that the 'bolt on' platform almost looks like it's molded.

I'm going to try to attach a pic.

Nice looking boat.
I think the props you have are going to be fine.
My friends girlfriend has a 31 with some built 502's (550-575hp) and she is running 26 Bravo 1's with a 1.5 ratio. The boat runs 80-81.
Another friend has a 31 with 502mpi's and that runs right around 70 , I don't know what props though.
Another friend has a 31 with 502 carbs and he is running 23 mirages, and that boat runs high 67-68.

I hope you're right. The guy that I bought it from said that when he bought it new, it came with 25 Mirage Plus 3 blades and it ran high 70's. He switched to the Bravi I 4 blades because he was spinning out alot, but top end supposedly dropped to low 70's. I just hate knowing that it can probably do in the upper 70's and going slower!

We'll see what happens......

I just can't wait to get on the water.

I would think that the boat did 72-73 mph with the 3 blade prop if it now does 70 with the 4 blade. I know that the pitch changed but that usually doesnt change the top speed that much on a stock motor.If you have a stock motor that should be turning 5100 rpm and it is under proped and is turning 5300 if you jump up 2 inches of pitch it will normally bring your rpm down about 200 rpm but you might pick up 1 maybe 2 mph. But when you change from a 3 blade prop to a 4 blade you almost allways loose 2 to 3 mph. If you lab finish the 4 blade prop you will gain back that 3 mph and 300 rpm just about every time.

My 31 does 64-65 with 454 mags and 23 mirage, thats light on fuel and two people.
Thats a nice looking boat ScarabMike!

Thanks guys. I'm hoping that the weather will co-operate and I can test all my theories soon.

Good Lookin' Boat!!

I can't wait to get pics of mine!!

Congrats!!!

OK - You win, I'll trade