21' Scarab 1 to a 30' Chaparral Villain IV with twins. Questions, thoughts, opinions
06-08-2016 | 12:23 AM
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21' Scarab 1 to a 30' Chaparral Villain IV with twins. Questions, thoughts, opinions
Hi All,
I've very happily owned a 21' Wellcraft Scarab 1 for the past 5 years. My wife, friends, and now 14 month old son have had many, many, great memories on this boat. Has a good bit of sentimental value to us, if you know what I mean. Regardless, Lake Lanier (30 min north of ATL) is quite a busy and choppy lake. On a Saturday or Sunday, crossing the big water at peak hours I get my ass kicked in my boat. Especially if we're loaded down for the day with gear and people.
The boat has plenty of power to plane up in even the worst of conditions, but it's just the constant battle to keep the boat in the water that gets tiring. We also would like the ability to crash on the boat and stay out for the weekend anchored down some place nice. I recently found a great deal on a 1987 Chaparral Villain IV and am seriously considering purchasing it if it's in good shape. Here are some concerns of mine, please let me know your thoughts and any other concerns I should have that I may not have listed!
Cons:
1. Weight and Towing - I don't have to take the boat far but it is on a triple axle trailer. I've read that the boat weighs 7400LBS!?!? this does not include the trailer! I'm guessing another 1000LBS for the trailer and I'm reaching max weight on my 2010 Escalade. I won't be using this truck to pull the boat far at all, literally from storage to the ramp is a few hundred yards. Only time I'll want to pull it any distance is for maintenance at my shop or perhaps some custom work at a shop in the ATL area.
2. Fuel and Maintenance - Seems like this could become a nightmare if fuel prices ever return to 4$/gallon! Maintenance, double tune ups, oil changes, drive fluid changes, service etc..
3. Manuverability and docking - How hard is it to operate a boat this size in close quarters?
4. Beaching - I love the ability to pull my 21 ft Scarab up on the various beaches around Lanier for the day, it's a blast to hang in the sand while your nose is pulled up in front of you. Can you do this in such a big boat? I'd imagine you'd want to back in and drop anchor/swim to shore?
Pros:
1. Space in the cabin - The three of us could sleep comfortably in this boat
2. Handling the chop - This size boat should blitz through the big water and crazy chop that Lanier throws at it right?
3. Curb appeal - Big, cigarette style boats are just awesome. Always dreamed of having a "big boy" cigarette. 30ft ass beater would satisfy that want.
4. Engines / Sound - Two engines, one dies, still have one to get you home. Two 350 Mags would sound sweet!
5. Cleanliness - Pictures can be deceiving but this boat was painted in 2012 and the current owner has pictures of the process. No dents, dings, gouges, etc. The paint is shiny like new and he went with a very clean, modern, paint theme. All white, red stripe down the bow. Interior is new, cabin interior is in great shape, one engine rebuilt the other new. Rebuilt alpha ones etc..
Scarab Pros
1. Boat is in good shape - runs great and looks pretty good (gelcoat shines when polished) (350 makes great power and runs perfect)
2. Size is great for certain things we do on lake (beach boat, pull up to docks and restaurants, launching at the ramp) makes it easy to be relaxed
3. No surprises - I know everything about it, including it's issues and how to deal with them
4. CHEAP - I have to spend very little money to enjoy this boat (storage is cheap, easy on fuel, maintenance costs low overall)
5. Classic design - but so is the Villain.. Love the nose of my boat, it's freaking aggressive looking.
Cons:
1. Size sucks in big water
2. Can't sleep on boat
3. Feel crammed with 4 people and gear
4. Needs some body work
I'm really leaning towards buying this boat if it's what has been represented to me over the phone, and in pictures, when I go to see it this weekend. I will have it professionally inspected to look for wood rot in the transom and stringers and also check compression and drives. If everything checks out mechanically and structurally, the boat is as clean as I hope, and the price is right, would you make the switch?
My thoughts prior to seeing this boat for sale was to stick with my Scarab and pull the interior, dash, windshield, trim, rub rail, ladders, etc. at the end of the season and have the whole boat repainted and body work to make it like brand new. Pull the engine and slap some vortech heads and an intake on it, replace gaskets and freshen it up and call it good for another 5 years..
Ahhh, decisions. What would you do?
Thanks!
Heath
I've very happily owned a 21' Wellcraft Scarab 1 for the past 5 years. My wife, friends, and now 14 month old son have had many, many, great memories on this boat. Has a good bit of sentimental value to us, if you know what I mean. Regardless, Lake Lanier (30 min north of ATL) is quite a busy and choppy lake. On a Saturday or Sunday, crossing the big water at peak hours I get my ass kicked in my boat. Especially if we're loaded down for the day with gear and people.
The boat has plenty of power to plane up in even the worst of conditions, but it's just the constant battle to keep the boat in the water that gets tiring. We also would like the ability to crash on the boat and stay out for the weekend anchored down some place nice. I recently found a great deal on a 1987 Chaparral Villain IV and am seriously considering purchasing it if it's in good shape. Here are some concerns of mine, please let me know your thoughts and any other concerns I should have that I may not have listed!
Cons:
1. Weight and Towing - I don't have to take the boat far but it is on a triple axle trailer. I've read that the boat weighs 7400LBS!?!? this does not include the trailer! I'm guessing another 1000LBS for the trailer and I'm reaching max weight on my 2010 Escalade. I won't be using this truck to pull the boat far at all, literally from storage to the ramp is a few hundred yards. Only time I'll want to pull it any distance is for maintenance at my shop or perhaps some custom work at a shop in the ATL area.
2. Fuel and Maintenance - Seems like this could become a nightmare if fuel prices ever return to 4$/gallon! Maintenance, double tune ups, oil changes, drive fluid changes, service etc..
3. Manuverability and docking - How hard is it to operate a boat this size in close quarters?
4. Beaching - I love the ability to pull my 21 ft Scarab up on the various beaches around Lanier for the day, it's a blast to hang in the sand while your nose is pulled up in front of you. Can you do this in such a big boat? I'd imagine you'd want to back in and drop anchor/swim to shore?
Pros:
1. Space in the cabin - The three of us could sleep comfortably in this boat
2. Handling the chop - This size boat should blitz through the big water and crazy chop that Lanier throws at it right?
3. Curb appeal - Big, cigarette style boats are just awesome. Always dreamed of having a "big boy" cigarette. 30ft ass beater would satisfy that want.
4. Engines / Sound - Two engines, one dies, still have one to get you home. Two 350 Mags would sound sweet!
5. Cleanliness - Pictures can be deceiving but this boat was painted in 2012 and the current owner has pictures of the process. No dents, dings, gouges, etc. The paint is shiny like new and he went with a very clean, modern, paint theme. All white, red stripe down the bow. Interior is new, cabin interior is in great shape, one engine rebuilt the other new. Rebuilt alpha ones etc..
Scarab Pros
1. Boat is in good shape - runs great and looks pretty good (gelcoat shines when polished) (350 makes great power and runs perfect)
2. Size is great for certain things we do on lake (beach boat, pull up to docks and restaurants, launching at the ramp) makes it easy to be relaxed
3. No surprises - I know everything about it, including it's issues and how to deal with them
4. CHEAP - I have to spend very little money to enjoy this boat (storage is cheap, easy on fuel, maintenance costs low overall)
5. Classic design - but so is the Villain.. Love the nose of my boat, it's freaking aggressive looking.
Cons:
1. Size sucks in big water
2. Can't sleep on boat
3. Feel crammed with 4 people and gear
4. Needs some body work
I'm really leaning towards buying this boat if it's what has been represented to me over the phone, and in pictures, when I go to see it this weekend. I will have it professionally inspected to look for wood rot in the transom and stringers and also check compression and drives. If everything checks out mechanically and structurally, the boat is as clean as I hope, and the price is right, would you make the switch?
My thoughts prior to seeing this boat for sale was to stick with my Scarab and pull the interior, dash, windshield, trim, rub rail, ladders, etc. at the end of the season and have the whole boat repainted and body work to make it like brand new. Pull the engine and slap some vortech heads and an intake on it, replace gaskets and freshen it up and call it good for another 5 years..
Ahhh, decisions. What would you do?
Thanks!
Heath
06-08-2016 | 01:10 AM
#2
Charter Member # 55
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 20,232
Likes: 2,482
From: Omaha/LOTO
From your cons list
#1-- The trailer is prob closer to 2000 lbs plus figure gear and fuel at 500 lbs more. A couple hundred yards to put it in the water I would do. I wouldn't tow it any farther with an Escalade.
#2--Maint cost will be double. Fuel usage is a controllable expense. If you have a single a 350 and it has twin 350's then fuel usage will prob go up 50-100% over your single 350. My twin 502mpi's in my 32 use less fuel than my single 525SC did in a 28.
#3 Docking in tight areas is MUCH easier with twin engines.
#4 Beach it the same way. Its even easier because the drives are farther back from shore and in deeper water.
IMO, I would not do all the upgrades you listed to your Scarab unless you commit to owning it forever.
#1-- The trailer is prob closer to 2000 lbs plus figure gear and fuel at 500 lbs more. A couple hundred yards to put it in the water I would do. I wouldn't tow it any farther with an Escalade.
#2--Maint cost will be double. Fuel usage is a controllable expense. If you have a single a 350 and it has twin 350's then fuel usage will prob go up 50-100% over your single 350. My twin 502mpi's in my 32 use less fuel than my single 525SC did in a 28.
#3 Docking in tight areas is MUCH easier with twin engines.
#4 Beach it the same way. Its even easier because the drives are farther back from shore and in deeper water.
IMO, I would not do all the upgrades you listed to your Scarab unless you commit to owning it forever.
Last edited by Griff; 06-08-2016 at 01:14 AM.
06-08-2016 | 06:36 AM
#5
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,407
Likes: 797
From: Central IL
Most of those boats came with big blocks. Probably has been repowered. I'd say it is underpowered with 350's. Most likely something, somewhere on that boat is wet (floor, stringers, transom). You mention being cheap. Cheap has no place in a twin engine, offshore style boat.
10-31-2016 | 08:11 PM
#8
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
From: Columbiana, Ohio
Just a suggestion, but for what you want to do you might consider a 28' Nordic Heat. They run pretty well with a single 496 or 502 and have one of the largest cabins for a 28' boat. I can sit in my cabin with headroom to spare. It is a good weekend boat and has enough deadrise to keep you dry when it kicks up. Lots of potential for higher speeds when your appetite grows.
