Scarab Boats: Worth The Buy?

Scarab is a boat brand that has changed hands several times since its founding in 1975 by Larry Smith. The brand has gone from producing hardcore race boats to being owned by a large multinational boat manufacturer, Beneteau Group, and now offers a line of small jet boats. Scarab boats range in price from $18,224 to $186,168 and are available in various sizes, with the smallest measuring 15 feet and the largest 34 feet. They are popular for jet, bowrider, ski, wakeboard, and center console models. However, some critics argue that the brand has declined in quality and is a mockery of what it once was.

Scarab's decline in quality

One of the major factors contributing to Scarab's decline was the issue of safety. In the early 2000s, the 33 and 38 AVS models were involved in several incidents where they flipped, resulting in multiple fatalities. This led to lawsuits and significant financial payouts to the affected families. As a result, Scarab's reputation took a significant hit, and the brand was faced with a crisis.

Another factor was the changing ownership of the company. Scarab, which was started in 1975 by Larry Smith as a hardcore race boat brand, later partnered with Wellcraft, which morphed Smith's designs into its own lineup. This partnership was a mixed blessing, as while it initially boosted sales and expanded the brand's reach, it also led to a dilution of the Scarab name. Wellcraft introduced the Scarab name to its CCF model line, which was met with a decline in quality and customer satisfaction.

The brand then underwent a tumultuous path of different ownership changes, eventually ending up under the Beneteau Group, a large multinational boat manufacturer. Under Beneteau, Scarab underwent another transformation, this time into a line of small jet boats intended to compete with Yamaha Marine's jet boat lineup. However, this move was met with widespread criticism, with many considering it a disaster that further tarnished the once-prestigious brand.

The decline of Scarab can also be attributed to the overall decline of its parent company, Wellcraft. Financial issues, poor management, and a focus on cost-cutting rather than innovation led to a decrease in the quality of boats produced by Wellcraft and, by extension, Scarab. The bean counters took control of the company, and the focus shifted from producing high-quality boats to extracting as much value as possible from the brand name.

Finally, Scarab's decision to focus on mini jet boats, a trend that was short-lived in the 1990s, further alienated customers. Jet boats were inefficient, slow, and offered few advantages over traditional boats. This move was seen as a desperate attempt to compete in a market that was already declining, and it ultimately sealed Scarab's fate as a brand synonymous with poor quality and outdated technology.

Pros and cons of owning a Scarab boat

Scarab is a boat builder that offers boats of varying sizes, from 15 feet in length to 34 feet, with an average length of 18.99 feet. The company has a racing heritage and has been popular for its jet, bowrider, ski, wakeboard, and center console models.

Pros

• Variety of models: Scarab offers a range of models, including the popular 165 ID, 195 ID, 215 ID, 255 ID, and 255 Open ID, catering to different needs and preferences.
• Racing heritage: The brand has a history in racing, with renowned boats such as the 38 Scarab KV, which won successive championships from 1977 to 1980. This racing heritage adds to the brand's prestige and performance reputation.
• Versatility: Scarab boats are suitable for various activities, including day cruising, watersports, saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and overnight cruising. This makes them versatile options for boat owners.
• Performance: Scarab boats are known for their performance capabilities, with models like the 26' Larry Smith Team Scarab, which was renowned for its handling and dynamics.

Cons

• Quality concerns: Some owners have expressed concerns about the quality of Scarab boats, particularly regarding rot and wood deterioration in older models.
• Fuel consumption: Scarab boats are known for their high fuel consumption, which can be a significant expense for owners, especially when fuel prices are high.
• Brand dilution: The Scarab brand has changed hands multiple times, and the current Scarab jet boats are considered a departure from the brand's racing heritage. Some believe that the brand has been diluted, and the current offerings do not live up to the Scarab name.
• Inefficient technology: The jet boats produced by Scarab have been criticized for being inefficient and slow, with dated technology, which may impact their performance and appeal to buyers.

Overall, Scarab boats have a mixed reputation. While they offer a range of models suitable for various activities and are known for their performance heritage, there are concerns about quality, fuel consumption, and brand dilution.

Scarab's racing heritage

Scarab boats have a rich history in powerboat racing. Formerly owned by Wellcraft, the brand was once a powerhouse in the world of high-performance boating.

One of the most notable appearances of Scarab boats in popular culture was in the 1980s TV series "Miami Vice". In the second season of the show, the main character, Sonny Crockett, piloted a Wellcraft 38 Scarab KV, solidifying the boat's place in the public eye.

However, the brand's racing heritage goes even further. In the same forum post, another user mentions that their "34-foot super sport Scarab" is their current boat, having previously owned a rare outboard-powered 29-foot Larry Smith Scarab with triple 2.4s. They describe the Larry Smith Scarab as "the best rough water boat I've ever had—it was stout and able to blast through anything". This particular model could reach speeds of up to 80 mph, showcasing the power and performance that Scarab boats were known for.

The brand's legacy in racing continued with the KAAMA Scarab, piloted by female racer Betty Cook, who won world championships as a grandmother, proving that Scarab boats were not just fast but also reliable and durable.

Unfortunately, the Scarab brand took a hit when its 33 and 38 AVS Models built in the early 2000s were involved in several fatal incidents, leading to lawsuits and a decline in the brand's reputation. Despite this setback, Scarab boats remain a staple in the world of powerboat racing, with some models still in operation today.

Scarab's current offerings

Scarab boats are currently owned by the Beneteau Group, a large multinational boat manufacturer. The company offers a range of boats, from 15 feet in length to 34 feet, with the average length being 18.99 feet. The boats are powered by engines ranging from 150 horsepower to 960 horsepower.

The current Scarab brand includes the following series:

• 165 Series: This is the smallest Scarab boat, measuring 16 feet and powered by a single engine jet.
• 195 Series: This series measures 19 feet and is also powered by a single engine jet.
• 215 Series: The 215 series features a twin-engine jet and has a length of 21 feet.
• 235 Series: This series measures 23 feet and is equipped with a twin-engine jet.
• 255 Series: The 255 series boats are 25 feet long and feature twin-engine jets.
• 285 Series: This series measures 28 feet and is powered by twin-engine jets.

In addition to the standard series, Scarab also offers the 235 Open and 255 Open series, which feature center console designs. These boats are also equipped with twin-engine jets and measure 23 and 25 feet in length, respectively.

The Scarab boats are marketed for a range of activities, including day cruising, watersports, saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and overnight cruising. The company offers both new and used boats for sale, with prices ranging from $18,224 to $186,168.

Scarab's history of ownership

Scarab is a brand of high-performance power boats that has changed hands several times over the years. The brand was started in 1975 by Larry Smith, who built hardcore racing boats. In the 1980s, Team Scarab partnered with Wellcraft, which morphed Smith's designs into its product lineup. This partnership led to a boost in popularity for Scarab when, in 1984, the TV show Miami Vice featured a 38' Scarab in its second season. Orders for the boat went through the roof, and Scarab became a name synonymous with go-fast boats.

However, after a tumultuous path of different ownership, the brand's reputation and quality suffered. Wellcraft was sued when its 33 and 38 AVS models built in the early 2000s had several flips that killed multiple people. After Wellcraft went bankrupt, the private equity firm Platinum Equity acquired it along with several other boat brands. As an equity company, Platinum Equity's main focus was to extract as much value as possible from its assets. The Scarab brand was then sold to Rec Boat Holdings, a subsidiary of Groupe Beneteau, which currently owns it. Unfortunately, the brand is now a mockery of what it once was, as Beneteau Group uses the Scarab name for a line of small jet boats that are destined for failure, according to some.

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