38 Scarab..The definitive Thread
 

Ok all you Scarab owners..

I am looking for the good, bad and the ugly on the 38 Scarab. What are it's strenghts, weaknesses, how do the step hull boats compare to the non step boats. Please be specific...Are there bad years....What do they run with 500's..what breaks commonly...I need the scoop!

What about if it needs some work like new skins, are they available? Or rails, windscreens?

Or has the breed died since it has fallen out of favor with Wellcraft?

Thanks in advance.

Can offer some info on older raised and flat decks. It would take a couple pages to cover just that though.
Gary

I CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ON MOST EXCELL,THUNDER, MODELS. I OWEN A 89/01 38' EXCELL
THAT WE DID A RE-RIGG ON. MY BOAT IS AT THE LAKE NOW AND WILL BE FOR A COUPLE OF MORE WEEKS.
I WILL BE DOWN ON FRIDAY NITE, GOING HOME SAT. P.M. CALL ME IF YOU WANT I WILL TRY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. CELL 515-238-1048 :cool:

Remember there are 2 different
SCARABS, Theres the ones built
at Wellcraft and the Mostly
Flat decks built by Team Scarab in Southern Calif.
There are only scarab fishing
boats being built at Wellcraft
Mike J.

So which one is this???

looks like a wellcraft to me

look at the hul # if it starts with well.... or wel... i'm not sure been a while. then it's a wellcraft

VonBongo, that's a Wellcraft in the pic.

99% of the Larry Smith Scarab's were flatdecks (MikeJ can confirm). I only saw 2 Larry Smith's 38 footers with a more gradual deck, Sean McWinnys Red boat and another white one with triples. They looked really cool. Everything he built was custom so you could get whatever you wanted $$$$. I think that another guy might have built those one's anyway - Eddie Morentz (sp?)

Jod

Yep, Rick is right Looks like
a Wellcraft.
Jodi are you talking about
seans 1st boat or new one for
his brother???
Mike J.

von bongo he 38 has been around for a long time as i have several friends with them. they are a solid boat weighing some were around 9500. you see alot down at loto. raymonds sold them for years along with fountains, untill fountain made them choice i dont think there step went over very well didnt and much in the way of speed and handling. and have been told the non step is a much better boat. i see were you sold your pantera is a scarab in the future?

later

MikeJ,

I don't know Sean, I only know of him. The red boat I saw has staggered turbo motors. I don't think it had a cabin but it had a pleasure cockpit. Initially no name, then I saw that it had a name: Blood Vessel (I think that was the same boat)

He had another?

Jody, Sorry forgot this thread
is about 38ft Scarabs.
I worked on theRed 38 a few
times, But I was talking about
his red 26s the one for his
brother was the last boat out
of the Original Mold, "My 26
is the 4th" and then the step
was added in the mold to make
the 5 F1 APBA Boats.
Those Boats should be worth
some $$$$ some day as there
were just 6 Hulls made that
had the step bottom and the
Corvette deck.

Von Bongo, Back to your question...

I have a 1999 w/ 500's and it ran 81.3 in Miami. Here in Houston I get 78-79 all day long. In fresh water (Lake Travis, Austin, TX) I run 76-77. 28 pitch B1 (non-lab'd props). Nothing major has broke since I owned the boat. Make sure when you come up on plain you drop the tabs on your way up or you'll be dropping $$ in replacing drives.

If you're considering buying a used 38, make sure the inner hull hasn't seperated (lay-terminology - sorry, don't know the "expert" way to state this any clearer).

Mine did it this year and another friend who has a diff. brand boat (and bigger) did too. Welcraft was great about warranty and covered 100%!

One of the easiest ways to tell if a boat has this problem is when running the boat, look down into the cabin -- If you notice the couches/fridge/sink etc.. vibrating -- odds are you've got something that needs fixed. However, I hear this is very common in all big boats, and nothing to panic over. It's a fairly simple and quick fix.

Von Bongo,
I just delivered a 02 38 Wellcraft with twin 500EFI's out to Oklahoma. Top speed out of the box(so to speak) was 76. I am sure with some playing it could obtain low 80's.

Mike J,
I had #6 of the 2000 26 F1's. It was a beautiful boat but I tryed everything to get it under control, Long tabs, different props, weight, even consulted Bob Christie/Donnie and the boat was flat out of control from 65 and up(ideal conditions). Got rid of it cause its one thing to kill me but I dont feel comfortable taking somebody else out(in a race). I really dont know about it being worth money. I know Bob couldnt sell either of his that quickly, Shane is still trying to sell his, and if I remember right Pacific had one in 2002 that they still couldnt unload. I lost my ass to get out of mine.

Those boats were the last to
be built at the Team Scarab
shop, They were then shipped
to wellcraft for rigging.
No one is interested in the
past history of scarab anymore
so Guess its R.I.P.
C-Ya Mike J.

Guys,

Thanks for all your information. I have seen a couple running here at LOTO on the big weekends and I assumed they wouldn't be out if they didn't handle the slop well.

I have 4 boats on my list, Fountain, Wellcraft, Cig and AT. So far I have poked around the Fountain and the Cig. Now for the other two. Any more info specifically on the 38's would be appreciated.

Does anybody have any info on the late '70's 38 Scarab? There is one nearby that I might go take a look at - haven't seen it or talked with the owner about it yet - but would want to know what to look for if I do pay a visit. I would imaghine that being this old, the transom and stringers might be suspect.

Any other areas to look at?

Re: 38 Scarab..The definitive Thread
 

Von Bongo, I own a 2003 38' Scarab. I love it, lots of cabin space, great handling, solid ride, etc. The Fountain will be faster, the Cigarette more expensive, and not much cabin on either. The Formula has more features in the cabin, great build quality, and will be a little slower. These are all great boats you are looking at, good luck!