I have been day-dreaming and contemplating buying a Scarab 38 for years now. They are getting really cheap. Im wondering about towing and fuel burn on these though.
My question is: How much difference is the towing experience over the 29 scarab. And how much difference in fuel burn over the 29 can I expect?

Thanks
Bryan

I love my 38KV.

I went from towing a 20 foot boat (10 years ago) to towing my 38KV around--it is not a hard thing to do, you will need the right truck-the boat weighs around 9100#'s.

I have a 19 year old kid who helps me load and launch. I can do it by myself now If I have too-but it is still a pain, you do need to plan in advance when you are towing 40+ feet behind you.

I think you shoudl go for it! Lots of good deals out there, just look the boat over really good and get a survey!

The boat RIDES like a DREAM! I get comments all the time when ruinning through some good chop how stable the 38KV is.

Lots of fun, GOOD LUCK!

Fuel burn!

I try not to think about it. But a typical day screwing around-rafting up and running around making noise runs me around 30+ gallons. My boat can run at 2800 RPM on plane and she is pretty good on gas with the 500EFI's. But is you push her to 5000+ RPM's you will be spittin gas cans out the back! But the grins on my face seem like a fair trade!

Hey Airshares,

Check out this boat: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...285134315&rd=1

Looks like a great deal for someone if it's clean..

Hey Bryan, you can't beat the ride. All though notorious for their weight you can come to appreciate it when run'n in the rough. The only difference you're really going to notice when towing is that the extra length will track a little shorter when turning. You can get by towing with a 3/4 ton truck, but it's under rated. I've always pulled that kind of weight with a 1 ton. Fleet sides will do fine, but mine tracks much better with my dually.

Jetjock nailed it on the head for fuel with an EFI set up. Custom built NA motors will consume more. My NA 600s will burn 40-45 gph just prior to the secondaries opening up. Run'n hard non stop in a poker run will burn 75gph

Wayne

I pull my 38KV with a Ford F250 Super Duty, and it pulls it like a raped ape!

When you are towing a 38' that is 12-13k lbs on the trailer an F250 or even an Excursion will do it. I do have to say that the ride and security of a dually can't be beat. So, if you are going to tow for any distance ( like I do, across the Mojave Desert to Havasu), I do recommend a dually.
Mike

As a 21 year veteran as an over the road driver you could say I have some experience pulling long trailers and heavy weight. I've had duallies since 1989 and I would never go back to Single rear wheels. A 3/4 ton with the right power will pull it providing the tranny can handle it in the long run if it's not set up with a towing package. That's where the similarities end. A 3/4 ton is still only rated for 7500 lbs verses a 1 ton at 10,000 lbs. Weight will take it's toll in the long run. Then there's the difference between channel and tubular frames and extra leafs to handle the weight and stabilize the ride. If you have to use load levelers on your hitch, you're just compensating for what the truck lacks in the first place. A 1 ton has heavier axles to handle the torque and larger brakes and bearings to disperse the heat generated from the torque and braking involved with heavier loads. Dual wheels distribute the weight on a wider stance, which eliminates most if not all side to side sway you get with some SRW set ups and keeps the tires run'n cooler.
Then there's the license factor. Some wanna be hard azz DOT cop recognizes an F250 or 2500 for what it is, pulling a boat of considerable size and bingo. He gets ya for not having the truck licensed for the weight ...sorry...that was the old truck driver in me coming out.

Here's a thread from Trucks and Transportation on the subject
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...17#post2676217