I'm new to the forum and am picking up my 1999 Scarab 29' this week. This boat was purchased brand new with every option available and has 3 hours on it total. It was purchased by a marine racing engine company as a test bed for prototype GM marine applications to do mock up fittings etc.

Needless to say we were offered the boat we weren't sure what to expect but upon our arrival to the warehouse where it was stored our jaws hit the ground! It was as if we walked into the Wellcraft factory in Sarasota back in the day to buy a brand new 29' Scarab. Everything on it looks like the day it rolled off the line!

I need to know what to look for so far as possible problems with it due to its age. They removed a prototype 6 liter out of and are installing a new crate 502 for us and it has an IMCO extreme out drive with 3 hours on it too so looking for some advice on what steps should be taken to get it ready to go play.

Nice find. Congrats. Do you have some pics?

The standard crate 502 is 450 hp. Take a look at GM's crate motors, maybe this would be the time to throw a couple extra bucks in for some more HP. The IMCO can handle it.

Also do a search on marinizing a GM crate, and ask the right questions.

Here are a few pics. I'm not sure but I believe the crate engine I saw going into it has a supercharger ( they build there own racing crate motors) so keeping my fingers crossed lol.

Will do, thanks for the help! I will search it now.

Congrats on your great find, it looks like a lot of fun to have a beautiful like new wellcraft.
I would run the boat very easily in the water and just monitor all fluids ,hoses,gauges and operating systems for its local maiden voyage.
I would enjoy it just the way it is now so you can appreciate any improvements you do to in the future.
. It's a great toutorial and learning experience for the operator too.

Have fun! Being on the water boating is a gift !!!

I'd definitely say that's a find. Like a time capsule. Very cool.

Holy cow!
That's a cool find for sure.

I would pull the exhaust tips out and re-seal the exposed wood.
It's probably the only scarab with the original DRY transom I would do everything in my power to keep it that way.

Thanks, will definitely pull them and re-seal them. I plan on keeping this one for a while.

I had a 34' Scarab a few years ago with a case of ass-rot and that was a nightmare!

This is the one I had with the bad transom.
Pictured below


Sold it not long after these pics were taken, great boat, just could not afford to keep fixing it.