Scarabs in Detroit
 

I'm currently working in Detroit for awhile and it looks like it's offshore performance boat country.

I've been watching a couple of C-List adds on two Scarabs. I would like something between 27-30ft.

Here's the links:
http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/boa/1589515765.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/boa/1585075915.html

Does anyone know the history of these boats? What do you think of the pricing? They seem pretty fair as the pics look like they're in ok shape?

Cons: The Panther has Alpha drives, they seem pretty week for a big block set up. Also on the Sport I don't care for the OMC outboards, so it seems likely to upgrade to a bracket and newer outboards, but that's pretty big $$$

Are these boats of this vintage have soft spot issues or need a lot of hull/deck repair?

Thanks for the help guys!!!!!

I have a clean 1983 34' Scarab III with fresh 600hp BBC and everything new, Rack stored clean.. 20K

The 2nd one is kind of interesting, 30" would be quite small

That Panther says it only weighs 6500lbs dry, that seems pretty light..... when my 300 weighs almost 9000lbs

did the Panther used Kevlar hull?

yes kevlar was used during those years but it was an extra cost option.... If you are going to use the boat on Lake Erie I would go for the 34 any time!!! Stay away from the alpha drives.......Jim

Welcome to the Great Lakes! There is some good offshore history in Michigan.

thanks for the info guys....looks like there are some great deals on boats in the midwest.

[Cons: The Panther has Alpha drives, they seem pretty week for a big block set up.]
The Panther I believe came from Lake St Clair, and was called [Kids Play].. From what I remember she sat on the trailer most of the time and was hardly used.

I would be interested in your boat. can you send info and pics to [email protected]

Thanks Scott

Your 300 probably doesn't have Alpha drives... The Panther also has a very sparse cabin. I wouldn't be surprised if that was an accurate weight without a kevlar hull.


I don't know the history of the Panther, but IMO it is over priced. You're limited with what you can do with it as far as adding power because the drives can't handle it. You could pull them and fairly easily do a Bravo conversion, but I don't know if you'd want to dump that kind of money into a 22 year old boat. I can also say that the Panther has been for sale for over a year, and no one has jumped on it yet... I have a 32' Baja that I would sell for around the same price, and it is a much nicer boat.


I like the Scarab Sport a lot. I don't know about the motors, but that does seem like an excellent price for the boat.


I also know of an 83 377 that needs work for around $14K. The motors and drives are in perfect running order (420Hp Mercs with TRS drives), and the hull isn't in bad shape at all. The cabin was re-done with white and red leather in the late 90's but it had a leak a few winters ago and got moldy. The cockpit interior is in decent serviceable working order, but it needs updating.

We did a weight test on our boat and trailer to get our trailer registered. Our trailer was 2500lbs, total weight was 9400lbs.

So, 9400 - 2500 = 6900lbs. That is with 40 gallons of gas. Pretty close to 6500

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