single engine 29's?
 

I know most I have seen are twin 5.7's but I have see a few nice single 502 (415) models out there and was wondering what the deal is with them. I have seen them advertised as 60mph WOT. What type of power is needed ot push them into the mid 70's? Also how do they handle compared to the twin SB models? Is it possible to put "big Power" to them and have success? Or are they too heavy to put that much boat with to much hp for the drive to hold up?

Peace,
Rob

BTW Any pics of your boats always makes any thread better :ernaehrung004:

I just upgraded to a Nova II with twin 5.7's. I've had a 23' jet for the last 6 years, sterndrive Glastron/Carlson's prior to that. All the advice I received prior to purchasing the Nova was get twins if the boat is 26' or longer. I was looking for a 26-28' with a single big block, but ended up with the twins. I know the handling with twins is far superior to a single, especially around the dock. Having twins can really help if you have a breakdown too, at least you can still limp home.

Thanks jt, anyone else? Anyone???

Howdy, I will give you my 2 cents, but I can't back any of this info up. I bought a 29 single last year with no power, and had asked basically the same question as you. I got some good feedback from people, but the main consensus seem to be that a 540 that was at least 550hp and up is what this boat needs to have enough power. They also said that on average, if you are near 600 you should be able to run upper 60's lower 70's under ideal conditions. I guess the main issue is having enough hp and torque as a single to get such a big boat up and moving. good luck
Joe

Yikes, thats a lot of hp to go that slow. Bummer

My 2002 29 runs 58 on GPS with 425 horses. 500 would take it to mid 60, 525hps to mid or higher 60's, and a 575 should get to break the high 60's and into the 70's. The 600 hp keeps you in the 70's also, but may not break the high 70's unless the wind is at your back. To break into the 80's it gets expensive.
Keep in mind the boat was designed with a two motor set up that normally produces 600 to 700 hps and keeps it in the 70's.
Sinlge engines up to 600 hp have minor problems with breaking drives. Larger 600+hp need the best and most expensive drives.

Thanks for the info everyone. I want to stay with a single engine model boat but the 29 just seems to be a bit too much boat for a single. It is ashame because I really like the lines of the 29's.

Peace,
Rob

I wouldn't give up my single engine 29. It's a great rider, and easy to transport.
The engine that makes a lot of sense for this boat is the Ilmore V-10. It packs 625 horses, is a high rev engine, and is lighter than other engines. I don't know of anyone who has this combination and how it performes.....

I sold my 29 a few years back. HAd a 509cid whipple enigne in it. I had extension box and the works. Someone on the board bought it and is running it around louisiana. Didn't have a lot of problems with drive as long as you were easy on it coming out of the hole. I traveled quite a bit and didn't want the maintencance on twins. The 29 single is a great boat and handles the rough great. There are a lot fo good deals out there on them now.Good luck!

If I was getting another boat, I would buy a 29 single. It is a really big boat for only 29'

Put an XR on the back and you should be able to put some power to it. Take easy out of the hole and stay smooth on the sticks when it comes out of the water.

I have done quite a bit of research on it. I wouldn't hesitate to put 700+- in a boat like this with an XR on the back of it. It would be a great boat overall.

The other big problem that I have noticed with speed on these boats, is that you need modern prop technology. It seems that most guys you talk to have spent all the money on the engine, all the money on the bling bling stereo, but won't spend the extra 7-800 bones to have a custom prop set up for it and maximize their performance. :grinser010:

Even with a milder engine, the correct prop will make all the difference in the world on a single engine boat.

I have a single engine boat, so I know a little about this.

I Have a very clean, very quick and very fuel efficient 1999 29' with twins. 68mph (gps) with a trailer and ready to float needed nothing.

I know you like singles, and I was the same. But twins run smoother, easier and cost less to run. My buddies Single 502 Scarab burnt more fuel than mine on a 40mph run down river last year.


36K OBO.

http://i43.tinypic.com/2zizp10.jpg

I have always liked your boat Rick but I am not so worried about fuel expese but the amount of upkeep on two engines and drives. I am a very particular person when it comes to maintenance and I don't think I have the money to keep up a twin engine boat. Unfortunatly unless we (wife or I) see a huge raise in our future I will be a single screw guy. Good luck with selling yours.

Peace,
Rob

I love mine!! Bought it from 29scarab a couple years ago. Everyone is right they are not fast boats, with the 509 whipple motor making about 640hp@5300, in good conditions I get about 71-73 regularly and cruise about 45-50 depending on the load. The awsome thing about the 29 is you can do 60 in pretty much any conditions. They love rough water and the more you get it out in snotty conditions the more you like it!!
Scott

One more!!

here is a rare 26' GAC with Single 502/475hp with Volvo DPX and Exact. She runs 70 with room to spare. just get a shorter boat. lol.

Has any one put twin big blocks in one of these 29's?

Back in the day when I was new at this I had a 21' Eagle Seebold. Eagle made a 26' foot with an option for twin big blocks. I was wondering why Scarab wouldnt put twin big block power in that 29. I imagine you would not have a problem with bow lift.

They are only 7' 6" wide. This makes them awsome in the rough, but even with twin smallblocks things are pretty tight in the bilge.
Scott

Rob, I have a freind here in Atlanta that has a 1996 29 with a 454 Mag. Extremely clean 2nd owner boat always fresh water and indoor stoored. Showroom condition and he is very particular about keeping it up. If you have any interest give me a call. Greg 770 335-8711

I bought a 29ft scarab with no motor and drive. First motor was a 468 with 600 Hp. ran excellent . Now I have a blowen 555 850 + Hp. The only problem that I encoutered is cavatation from a four blade 30 pitch prop. Now I am running a 28 pitch 5 blade prop and no cavatation. These are excellent boats. Dont give up

Shotime113-Did you do your upgrade at Teague? I talked to one of the guys there who told me about you. He mentioned that five blade loved the 29'.
What did you do with the 600 hp?

fast 22,

Sounds like she is still running great! She still looks good!!I'm in your neck of the woods working in Alexandria till the end of the year.Tell the wife I said hi!

I've seen pricing for SCARAB 29's ranging from $34K-$53K. Obviously the boat market sucks right now, hard to really say if it is a buyers or sellers market. I have explored selling our 29, but not interested in giving it away. The 29 is a remarkable boat that has timeless lines. I have a 502 with exhaust as the only motor mod and the boat runs top speed at 62mph on GPS.
Not the fastest boat on the water, but it has always been Turnkey and each time we've gone to Catalina on a scope run we arrive within a few miniutes of the 38 pack running 75-80.
I've used the boat in the Catalina ski race the past 6years and we have always had a great race :)
In the 9 years I've owned my boat I rebuilt the motor when I first purchased it, and again in 06, currently doing a valve job now. Put a new triple axle trailer under it in 2005...obviously I have done yearly maitainence and bought other things too, but those have been the most expensive with this boat :)
All in all it has been a great boat, good for ocean and also towing to Lake Havasu...I would recommend the 29 to anyone as a great boat...problem is finding them, there is maybe only 1 or 2 a year that you find for sale...if that. Good Luck :)

Jimbo

Shawn, she still runnin good! doing a few upgrades nothing major. I had some side vents cut out of aluminum on a CNC machine, they are getting powdercoated this week. They are gonna be awsome, same design but flat and unbeakable. As of yet they are the only thing I didn't like on the boat. They are plastic and the back bumber lays right on them. Not a good combo, but that is a thing of the past!
BADA BING, your right, very few boats can compare to the rough water abillity and ease of maintenace and trailerability than these 29's.
Scott