29 rough water ride
 

All you 29 scarab owners out there. I am considering purchasing a 29 scarab w/ twin 350s. I would like some feedback on how well people that own 29s, think they handle rough water. I am moving up from a 24 pantera, which for a 24, did extremely well in rough stuff. The wife wants something a little more comfortable. Any help would be appreciated.

I got one dude!!

Bad Ass boat!!!

I decided to go for the single 502mpi due to my travels and maintenance issues.



The handle the rough stuff absolutely fantastic!! The cabin has room for sleeping and holding a big ice-chest. I boat in Galveston bay and surrounding area. I have also run it in Lake Michigan.

I did however, trick mine out like no other. Here's the specs on mine: Check this out!!!!!

96 29 scarab

Whipplesuper charged 502mpi
Engine internals: Crane HP gold roller rockers, zero gap rings.
Stainless marine exhuast
2002 Gaffrig gauges and bezels with GPS speedo
IMCO full hydraulic steering system , twin rams

DUDE!! The things flys!!!!!!!

I say go for it!!!!!!!!


:D :D

29 scarab, Thanks for the input. Sounds like you have a lot of fun on your boat. Whats your top end? High 70s?

I also had the 29 with 502(stock).
62 - 66 gps all day. even saw higher a few times.
I felt the boat needed another 100 horse to really show itself off in the rougher water. The narrow beam 7.5 slices like a pizza cutter through a pie. A very capable boat for sure. I felt the boat was laid out well in the cockpit for a narrow beam and was not too noticeable. Twin smallblocks get about 72 mph. The boat will handle better than other boats its size for sure.
No dissapointments.
I thought my Bolster was a bit far from the wheel. I am 6 foot and felt I was reaching
I would buy again

jb, thanks for your input. I am going to be test driving the boat on Sat. If it goes well I will probably buy it. Ill let you guys know what I think after the test. Not that it matters what I think. Anyway, thanks again.

I owned one for 4 years, then moved up to the 34. The 29 was a great boat in rough water and will be a better ride than your current 24 footer.

Unfortunately, you're not going to be able to satisfy the wife's request unless you go 34-38 feet. That's a smooth ride. :D I can almost leave a drink on the dash at 50 in 2' to 3' chop.

Have fun on the test ride, you'll like the boat.

pantera 133 very good rough water boat for its size i can hang with the big boats,upper 70's in the rough thinking about selling if you are interested

I want to thank everybody for the input. Took a test drive on Sat. Twin 350 mags with hydraulic steering and 280 k-planes. Nice boat. Couldnt find much rough water, but slammed into a few fishing boat wakes. Seems to do pretty good. I was dissapointed with the lack of midrange accelaration and the top end with 3 people and full gas was about 68. Its hard to step down from 90+ top end. All good things must end I suppose.

Surely the twin boat will react different ...but. I put a 4 blade on my single 502 and picked up MPH, and more inportantly MIDRANGE(immencely) almost 7 mph at 3500 rpm. Remember this boat was one of the few that loved the Blackhawk drive, so 4 blades may get that stern up and in the air.
We love our 31... but the 29 remains our favorite so far, and yes the wife can read a book at 3500 rpm in heavy chop in our 31!

P-29 sent me an idea what you want for $$$