38 Scarab history
 

Just wondering what the chronology of the hull as in

What year did it first appear (377, 38, KV, ??? )
What year did the 377 become the flat deck 38?
Is it an original loft or a pop of some other hull?
did they make both a flat deck and raised deck (Excel) in 88?
did all the straight bottom raised Excel deck 38's after 88 have the same hull and deck?
What years were the 38 Excels built?
When did the AVS hull come out and is it a stepped version of the straight hull?
Did they ever have a cored hull? years?

I am thinking about looking for an 88 or 89 38 Excel and wondered if those were unique years. I have always liked the 88's and 89's wondered if they were any different then later 38s.

Great thread! I believe '98 was the first year of the AVS hull (I own a '99.) My hunch is that they used the old flat-bottom mold and threw a couple steps in it, but would appreciate confirmation.

That is a whole lotta questions, and I can honestly say that I can't answer any of them. I hope this was helpful for you, lol

377 came out as Larry Smiths Scarab racer for Betty Cook 1977(?), actually the boat is 37,6 like the Flatdeck Cig racer.
The Bottom according to LS is a 23 dgr. V on a Cig a 24 dgr. The 377 flatdeck (Kaama Edition) was in production from 81-84 only as a side by side, Kaama surface drives could be had on them and all kinds of fun stuff like Turbo engines etc. the Raised deck 377 could be had staggered, then from 85 up the boat became the 38KV uptil 1989, with one man bolsters on both sides, no padding on the gunnel and other interior and cockpit differences, the easiest tell tale is the bolsters.
Boats that was reinforced with Kevlar was around 500lbs lighter should have the world KEVLAR under the HIN number with the same font, but this can be argued as errors do happen while laying up...

Regarding Excels I don't have a clue and little interest ( Except Augie's Flying Condo(m) aka the Delicate sound of thunder) because they look not as good in my eyes but one would assume the hull is the same.

PS. LS had the 38KV molds 4 sale a while ago... ;)

How much were the 38KV molds going for?

Never asked and do not know if they even got sold, the 43 mold was sold atleast. Thinking of .... adding steps to that hull... and keep the oldschool deck, make a stagered one.... hmmm Should I make a call and try to continue the history...

Larry Smith introduced both stepped 30's and 38's in 1996. The 1st Wellcraft Scarab to be stepped was a 31 which was converted from the convential bottom in the spring of 97 as a test platform. The 31 then had the swim platform added and the production 33 AVS was born in 98 and won "Powerboat of the Year" award. The 38s and 43s were added in 99.

As to construction, the hulls have "spraycore" in the hull sides and balsa coring in the decks. The lifting stakes are filled with "microballoons". the bottoms are fully fiberglass.

an interesting note Nigel Hooks Lucas Oil Scarab was actually a straight bottom 38 that was heavily worked. I was told by one of his guys in Key West one year that when the stepped it the original bottom remained in tact under the new bottom. Not sure if that true of not but worth sharing.

Nigel's 38 Scarab
 

Correction ... Nigel's 38 Scarab was a step-bottom boat (2 forward vented steps) from the get go and she was the 1st step bottom boat built by Larry Smith in 1995 from a 302 mould that was stretched to 37'7".
In 1996, Nigel won 12 of 14 races. Based upon the experience of this 1st step bottom boat, Larry produced inserts for the production 33 and 38 moulds.

Maybe the confusion is that in 1999, Nigel leased the boat to someone who added stuff to the bottom? But when Nigel got it back our crew ground that extra stuff off the bottom.

The 38 is now on display in the Lucas Oil stadium.

Anyway, I hope that helps to clear up that boat's history. Let me know if you have any more questions. [email protected]

Hi Janet, thanks for the info. I think it was around 02 when I heard the story I got and after all it was key west so ya never know. I'm sure my memory may not be the best from any of those events. Thanks for clearing that up. To be honest it really didn't sound right to me anyway. :cool:

Hey does Nigel plan on doing any races in the US with the new boat?

Nigel used to race with my Aunt Betty as well, go figure. Ol' Lucas Oil has come a long way since then!!

Are there any pics available of this boat in its home at Lucas Stadium?

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8DVNcSzge4[/YOUTUBE]

So ok, Are 38 hulls any good? I want a 38 tall deck from say 85 to 95. Saw a good flat kv but want more head room.

I've tried doing some research into the Excel's as well with no luck. Easier said than done but it has to be out there somewhere.

wow! Wow! Way cool! Thanks for posting this!

:coolcowboy:

Thanks, being from Kansas City (Chiefs!!) it hurt but Lucas oil is building quite the race park in our back yard so more power to them!!!:ernaehrung004:

sweet vid......

Here are photos of the
38' Scarab in Colts Stadium

Link to the 43' Scarab pictures. This boat is for sale.

So are the 38 excels not very good? How do they handle the big stuff?

the 38 Excels are among some of the best rough water boats ever built. They share the same hull as the flat decks but just have a more refined superstructure and the raised deck. I have been looking for an 88 or 89, the first year for the raised deck was late 88 i believe. Awesome handling hull.

What is the difference between a regular one and the excel series ?

All the Excel models i've ever experienced or heard of are little heavier hulls and I know if you keep them mostly dry their whole lives then can truly some of the best scarabs ever built. (production wise).

I know this is a old post but I thought I would share my boats history. an '85 flat deck with full kevlar hull solid bottom(no core) but the deck does have a foam core. It has a metal VIN plate sunk in the transom and 377 scratched in the glass below but nothing about kevlar. It was an original kaama drive boat but has arnesons in it now. would love to know any history on it, but do not know were to start who to talk to or where to go.

I use to have a 1990 31' excel and loved it in big water.

In light of recent events within my own fleet ( ;) news to follow) did any of the 38's have a core? Hull sides or running surface? . . . 1994 in particular? . . .ohh say . . . a 38 Thunder maybe? :D

I do remember the thunder's had a different layup but dont have specifics

I was looking at the wellcraft archives and the whole line is listed at 9100 pounds. i hope its a typo but it lists only the 94 as having a 23 degree deadrise lol. The rest are 24

I'll bet I can guess what recent events are unfolding :lolhit:

Just to add a little more info. I have an 84 38' scarab but the hull was marketed and is labeled 380 instead of 377. It looks very similar to the 377's but had no windows on the side. Engines are side by side as well.
http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/1...8%20scarab.jpg. Mine doesn't have the wing.

That boat is getting just enough that I think having restored to look exactly like that would be ultra sweet.