Looking for Scarab 1
 

Looking to purchase a well maintained, freshwater Scarab 1 that has been kept on a trailer and under cover.

Any and all leads appreciated.

Ed

Head across the border and pick this up instead of paying $7k-$8k for a clean looking Scarab 1 that still got rot hidden everywhere. You'd have to find one where the owner already did all the glass work. Don't want to come across negative, but most of us like boating more than shop work. Maybe the Superboat could be bought for $15k and it doesn't seem to need anything. Best of luck. A Scarab 23 SCS is a great choice too if you don't need much storage space. They were laid up by Team Scarab in California, so no wood, but the best composites and even Kevlar49. They were mighty pricey new and handle great!
http://www.screamandfly.com/showthre...foe-sale/page2http://www.screamandfly.com/attachme...6&d=1473700105

That looks like Murray's boat! I would own it in a heartbeat, but can't afford it now.

I sold one of the nicest 21 Superboats in the country 3 years ago. It had a 300X Promax on it. I currently own a 28 Nordic Heat but have since suffered from deterioration in my spine that makes launching and recovering that boat very difficult for me. I have to have someone with me when I boat and that is not always easy when boating on weekdays.

Yes. I know about rot, having restored a Formula that had it hidden everywhere.

how much you looking to spend

I have a 87 scarab 1 with a 555 big block with a bravo outdrive with imco shorty boat runs real good all glass work is done

Very nice setup. My wilder boat is my Nordic. Looking for more of a stocker in a 21.

Thanks!!

Like Your spirit! No medical issues is stopping You from boating. Funny coincidence You already knew of that specific Superboat and that You had one once. Let's keep this thread going and the right Scarab 1 might appear. Close call on the Hipo 555" one, but must agree that it's a little extreme.
https://books.google.com/books?id=Uj...page&q&f=false

The point you made regarding rot is the biggest issue I'm facing and can't say I'm surprised. I'm a fanatic about keeping a boat DRY between uses.

This search is going to be a tough one and I'm not a young buck anymore. Most of the internet sites are useless, as the boats that are featured have been sold long ago. There are not a lot of these things out there and beaters abound. Half the people on CL don't even respond to an inquiry, but that is probably due, in part, to all of the scammers out there.

All so very true. Not sure if You're searching all the good forums out there, but I'm frequenting quite a few and I got feeling You do to. Boaters are usually a very helpful bunch so maybe get a thread going, if You already haven't, on for example; riverdavesplace.com, donzi.net, screamandfly.com, performanceboats.com etc. It's sad that so few of these pretty little boats did survive 'till now. Happy hunting and You will no doubt make helpful friends along the way as always. Happy Halloween, Lars.

Thanks, Lars. Yep, I'm a veteran of sites like S&F. That is how I found my Superboat back in the 90's. I lucked out finding someone who knows how to take care of things

I've been around here for years. I just re-registered due to chronic issue I had logging in.

Holy transom rot Batman, where are all of the Scarab 1's hiding :confused:?? I would have thought Wellcraft pumped a lot of these things out over a 4 year span. It was easier finding my Superboat (then again, I was lucky). Most all of them on the web are dead links.

Have a feeling that a sistership to this Minx is for sale. Believe they only made 20 Minx Testarossa and only 5 had this Italian stainless steel windshield by Besenzoni, a $5,000 option. The Minx is better riding boat than the Scarab and build quality in the late 80's was really good. Believe it's always been a freshwater boat and very well kept. Price a little over $10,000. Don't know the owner, but know that if I post more info here You probably loose out on it if You'd pursue it. These are very much in demand. Your message box is full, so if You want sellers info, clear it and send me a pm. Cheers, Lars.
Sister boat: https://youtu.be/0g5potqgt48

Your message box is full as well:eek:

Are you really sure you want a Scarab 1 ? I have one, and while I like it, there are way better built boats out there. I'm in the process of replacing stringers and repairing a partially delaminated bottom that left the factory that way. Overall build quality was production-boat at best, you'd be way better off getting a Suoerboat, Stepp-built Velocity, or Progression.

Matt

OMCFORME,

I'm getting the same impression regarding rot issues on the Wellcrafts. I really like the styling of the "1", but am reading multiple horror stories similar to yours on the web. A couple of the Scarab 1 owners I talked to avoided discussing the issue altogether or are oblivious to it.

In regards to Superboats, having had one myself for over a decade, I can tell you that the build quality was not fantastic. They screwed and riveted their decks on like the production guys and their gelcoat quality wasn't even up to mass production standard. Their mold maintenance was also poor. I had the sides of my boat re-gel'd and blocked to get the look I wanted in addition to a lot of bottom straightening. The Tuffs and Progressions are fine boats, but are mega $$$$ and almost all outboards. My budget is $5-$7K and stock power is fine.

Looking for a 30 year old boat that isn't rotted isn't a total exercise in futility, but it is close, having so few to pick from.

The west coast guys are really lucky, as there were some really dynamite smaller boats produced by builders like Eliminator, Cole, Shiada, Nordic, Hallett and several others. Unfortunately, not a lot of them make it to the east

Sorry about the mailbox issue. Cleared space now.

That Minx is really a cool boat. Unfortunately out of my price range. Times are a LOT different now vs. when I was working. At one time I had the $$$, but no time. Now I have the time, but little $. Life does indeed come full circle:circle:

Funny, I had a call today from a guy interested in my Superboat. It came off of a website I never posted to. I sold the boat 3 years ago.

Hey Rotor,
I'll tell ya whatever you want to know, I'm a straight shooter and neck deep into the boat. The stringers are **** (1x dimensional pine lumber). None of the limber holes were sealed at all. The roving wrapping over the stringers couldn't be rolled tight into the stringer corner (no fillet), leaving a void that functioned as a "water distribution tube" to soak the stringers. I would assume any Scarab 1 needs stringers. And it gets more fun - since these are liner boats, getting the cockpit floor out (and back in again) is a royal pain in the ass. I should have bought a Velocity. But I agree - the Scarabs do look cool and I like that it has a functional cuddly.

Matt

Matt,

I just commented on the Nordic forum on the same subject. You are 100% on the money. A good friend of mine, Kevin Brown, of Lakeway Boat Repair in Attica, Ohio restores and repairs many makes. He's had people bring in very nice boats for minor repairs only to find so much rot, he ends up doing a complete stringer, transom and bulkhead job. He has the same lament regarding sealing holes and cutouts, or the lack thereof. I asked him about the Scarabs only to hear the same assumptions you have suggested.

Back in the 70's when I knew EVERYTHING there was to know about anything, I bought a Formula F18. It turned out to be as heavy as a barge from osmosis and was full of rot for the same reasons. None of my boats (except the F18) have had rot, but then again, I NEVER leave them outside, in the water or uncovered. I'm just hoping to find that like minded owner. The problem is that most of the sellers think their boats are pristine because they "run good". They have little to no idea of state of the boat structure or how expensive it is to fix it since they see nothing wrong with it.

CL and the web is still a Scarab 1 wasteland. One 86 SS in IN asking $8K:eek:

For what it's worth I paid 1500 on a trailer (no power) in 2011. But as I mentioned, it became a project

Why only focus on a Scarab 1 ?

Matt

I have passed on several projects. I have been building cars and boats since the 70's and have pretty much hung up my DA.

Why the Scarab 1? I guess it is because I like the looks. Boats, like cars are very subjective. Different strokes for different folk's?

Yeah I hear ya :) I like the looks too, and they are rare in my area - especially the outboard version I have. This project will be great when done, but it does consume a lot of effort. Every time I think about the boat there's something else I want to do to it, but then circle back to remind myself these are not rocket ships to begin with.

Matt

No, they aren't rocket ships, but you could improve it somewhat. My old Superboat with a 200EFI 2.5L Merc ran 68 MPH on GPS. With the 300X and a sportmaster gearcase, it was close to 90. I ran 12"-13" of setback. I'm seeing high 50's reported with 200's on the Scarab, so there is work to be done.

One of the reasons the Challenger/Superboats/Shadows were so fast was due to the pad. When the boat was up and running, there was not a lot of wetted surface in the water. You could design a similar, albeit wider pad for the Scarab 1, but there would be tradeoffs. Falling off the pad with 21 degrees or more of deadrise is not for the faint of heart at high speeds.

If I had an outboard Scarab, I would add a setback jackplate with at least 10" setback to begin with. I would also knee brace the transom to the stringers.

Oh yeah, I'm all over this type of stuff, I've been into fast outboards for 20 years. I don't want to widen the pad - it's already pretty damn wide (10 1/2" if I recall correctly - boat is in storage right now). I'm planning on cutting in a transom notch, taking the hook out of the pad, and sharpening all the strakes. I could do more but overall due to the weight of a solid hull that will always be a limiting factor. It will be rigged with a jack, initially probably 8" when I first rig with my 225 OMC. Ultimately this boat will be getting one of my V8s, and it won't be stock. Boat will have 3 knees, I already added a crossmember just below the splash well to spread the loads to the knees better.

Matt

Excellent!

Matt, is that an actual pad or just a flat keel? I have not crawled under one. The Superboat has a raised pad 6" wide. Too narrow IMO. When the design was further developed by Image (Team Shadow), the pad was widened to provide better stability. At 68 MPH, the boat would go through chop and handle in a very balanced manner. When I added the additional HP and weight, it grew fangs. I ended up going to a completely new setup with setback, height and prop. I had aluminum plates on both sides of the transom tied to the stringers with SS bars.

Here is one for sale, supposedly turn key

https://houston.craigslist.org/boa/5873936497.html

Thanks. Talked to the gentleman last night. Very nice guy.

Distance is an issue.

I am local if you need assistance with anything, just PM me

PM sent.

Hey Rotor,
It's a flat pad, 10 1/2" wide if I recall correctly (boat is in storage right now). You can see part of it in the photos on the Craigslist ad. I'm making the transom bullet proof so that I can hang anything I want on it. Transom was replaced by previous owner and is bone dry but needs some additional glass work.

Yeah, the Challenger-derived boats all have narrower pads and are faster, lighter boats and I suspect better in the rough too. I haven't had this one in any really rough stuff but I suspect the wide pad will hurt it.

Matt

Search is over:) I found a mint condition 1986 Scarab 1 SS and purchased it.

Sweet, we need pictures ! What kind of power ?

It looks like I can't post attachments.

Power is stone stock 260. Can you say sloooooow?

Congrats and I bet You'll be extra grateful this Thanksgiving :) Looked pretty bleak for a few days there, many of these pretty little boats seemed to have gone to waste unless they were pampered, due to the building issues of the era.
Feel free to email some photos to me and I post them up here.

Cheers, Lars.

Yes, that is true. A couple of tubes of silicone and some epoxy would have saved a lot of boats, as would some common sense care. Most of the stuff I see at the ramp these days has been rode hard and put away wet.

Spent a few minutes today with a friend of mine that has a boat upholstery and repair business. He too shakes his head when he sees what comes through the door. Funny thing is, many times the tow vehicle is meticulously maintained:confused:

Well, its been a couple months since I brought the Scarab home and cold weather here in NE Ohio has put the kabash on doing very much with it. For the most part, the boat was as advertised. Some minor issues such as the nav light not working and a few blown fuses are easy fixes. The original interior is in exceptional condition albeit a little faded in spots. No rot though. The gel is very good and the engine compartment is excellent.

The only issue that really pissed me off was the passenger side windshield. It has a displaced crack emanating from one bolt hole that runs half way up the windshield!! Bad! The seller knew about it, but did not disclose it, worse bad. These windshields are very expensive to replace and even more to ship. I got one quote from a shop in FL for $700 plus another $200 to ship it. One can understand why it wasn't mentioned.

There is a shop in Detroit, at 7 mile and Gratiot no less:faint2: ,that thinks they can reproduce it, but has bulked at giving me an estimate.

Does anyone know of a shop in Ohio that can reproduce an acrylic windshield if they have the original to work from?

Hey Rotor let me know how you make out on the windshield because I have exactly the same problem. From what I understand it's fairly common.

Matt

Every Scarab 1 I looked at had a cracked or broken windshield and everyone thinks it is so easy to make one out of 1/2" acrylic. Ah huh.

I was successful in finding a shop that has made them before. I ordered mine from UPD Plastics in Florida. They were somewhat more reasonable than any of the other plastic shops I contacted. The broken side of my tinted windshield was $395, plus the ride. It is about $50 cheaper if you have a clear windshield. Lead time is 5 weeks, so if you live up north like me, get your order in now.

You will have to drill your own holes. I'm going oversize and chamfering them, as I do not want to go through this again.

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/boa/6011122180.html

I saw this today and thought of this thread. I know you already bought one but incase anyone else is looking