HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

[jserb]

Before I take the time to send you 10,000 photo's and spend hours on here getting all of your opinions and discussing what we think I should do to this machine. I first need a bit of encouragement. You see Im having a bit of buyers remorse right now. I bought a 1989 wellcraft scarab sport for $700.00, no trailer, no electronic, and no engines, just the hull. My plan is to repaint her interior, replace a few stringers and re power her. My budge is 8000.00, needless to say I know most of you know this is totally doable. However one thing struck me and has me pretty concerned. I will probably hold on to this boat for 5 years, and when those 5 yrs are up, I would like to sell the boat and get SOME money back. However with the way gas prices are going this thing will be a dinosaur in 2 years!! So Im assuming in 5 years I will have to sell the motors individually and try to part her out the best that I can so I can at least get 4000 for her. So you see my predicament? I don?t wanna do all this work, spend 8000, only to get not even half that back! Yeah I?m with all of you, we know boats depreciate and well that?s why I?m asking all of you! What do you think? I someone sold you this boat for just 700 bucks what would you do?! Do you think its still worth it? If you all agree I should proceed, I will. I love boats just like the next guy, I just need some UNBIAS opinions other than from my wife. Please help guys...take a moment to comment!

 

[Off-Peak]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

Well... may be a few pics will help!!! In the car business there is an old saying " There is an ASZ for every seat!!!" simply stated, IF you can hold on to the boat, there is buyer out there that is dreaming of that boat that they can afford today, but could not afford when it first made an impression on them.... (Croket & Tubbs)

As for your budget of $8K... IMO, Not to many projects stay on budget. You have lots of work to do - get started and post a few pics...!!
-OP-

 

[ondarvr]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

For that boat I don't see how an $8,000 budget is possible, one motor in fair shape will cost that much.

For a 30 footer unless you don't work, have a family, or life outside of this boat, it will take couple of years to rebuild it into a usable craft. This amount of time and $20,000 may get you back on the water.

 

[oops!]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

the only way i could see it being done...is if you get a hull trashed cuddy with twins.....and steal everything from it.....

it could be done.....but the above post is correct....totally correct...

after it is built....then you might be able to sell it for more than your 8k....in fact around 20 if you do a decent job......


but just to let you know......paint..(including prep....$2500)
trailer for a thirty footer.........$3000.

thats $5500 and you dont even have a key switch to turn on the imaginary motor/drives and holding the imaginary sterring wheel while standing cause you dont have a chair yet.......

you must increase your budget......lots.....before the project is viable....

the sale of it will come......search ebay for a 30 foot scrab and see what comes up !

if you decide to tackel the porj....we are to here to help.....

btw.....bond-o is working on a big offshore boat with twins.......the owner is fairly rich.....and there is a lot of money in it.........but when its done....bond-o says its gonna be a "dock queen" cost the cost of gas wont allow the owner to drive it much .


but it is an easy 70k boat

 

[Labman]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

My 21' Sangstercraft has a PROJECTED budget of $30.000 and 3-4yrs. Outboards,Steering,Controls,Seats,Electronics,Radar,Vhf,Lexon, Wipers,Lights,Cleats,Bilge pumps,Head,Washdown pump,Fuel Tanks,Stringers,Pod yada yada.....
It all adds up,and when I am finished, I will have a 40yr. old boat. If I was doing it for resale, it wouldn't be practical!

Just finished posting, recieved call from local (Edmonton) boat supply. $89.00 for an 1-1/2 Brass Through Hull for head discharge!

 

[GO OVRIT]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

I'm in the same situation. I've got a Wellcraft V-20 and a 25' Luhrs that I'm basically stripping to the bare hulls. I'd like to think I could do either one for 8K, but I doubt it...and mine are both single engine. I plan to take a looong time and do it right as the money comes. If you can take your time you can usually come across more deals. Watch ebay, craigslist, local trading post papers. I'd make a list and figure out what it might cost before I spent any money.

 

[gcboat]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

For that boat I don't see how an $8,000 budget is possible, one motor in fair shape will cost that much.

For a 30 footer unless you don't work, have a family, or life outside of this boat, it will take couple of years to rebuild it into a usable craft. This amount of time and $20,000 may get you back on the water.

No truer words have been spoken. We all hate to be the bearer of gloom and doom but the reality of it is true. Got a project going on now with a planned 15 grand budget. Went through 8 thousand of that for motor and lower unit, and still need more boat bucks !!!! There's never gonna' be enough of the green stuff to go around. Like Labman said $89.00 for a small thru hull. That's one item, and a small one at that.
Write down everything you can possibly think of in the way of parts and materials you're gonna' need. Be realistic about the whole thing. Look everywhere for your stuff - spend a week or two on just that. You're gonna' be a little bummed out.
On the bright side however - now you can go into the garage and drink beer !!!

 

[jserb]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

Alright guys! Your on! I think I can come pretty close to an 8000.00 budget! I'm going pick her up next Friday and take a bunch of photos so you can all see what I'm dealing with. Now if you notice, by my name it says "cadet", and I know most of you KNOW your stuff. So don?t think I'm not listening to you, or think I?m Mr. big shot with all the answers. I however LOVE a challenge and am VERY experienced when it comes to these projects and feel I might suprize you all on cost. I hope you all continue to check in on me and view this Forum starting next weekend I will begin the story.
With that being said, The first few questions I have for you:
- The hull of the boat is in good shape, other than the fact that at the right angle you can tell at one time there was a name printed on the side of the hull, and now you can see its outline...very slight, but I want to do it right and get ride of it....its like a shadow in the gel coat...any suggestions on how to get ride of it????
-Im looking to buy serious amounts of fiberglass and wondering if any of you had a company you would suggest I look at, somewhere where you felt they had good prices, but better people.
- The Hull as said before is in good shape ex. (no gouges in her), however on this boat there is a RED stripe that runs the length of the boat, and @ one area the paint is scratched up and needs to be repainted, any advice on how to approach repainting this area of the hull without forking out tones on money just for a red stripe?/or which paint or product I should use?


I'm hoping all of you will get involved and guide me threw this project and make her become a reality. As always I appreciate the time, talk to you next week!

-John

 

[wca_tim]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

Have you got drives? Controls? any of the interior?

8k will hardly do a bang up job on a single engine bow rider... let alone something of the magnitude you're talking about... to get engines that'll really move than thing you're talking that much for each engine....

 

[ondarvr]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

Nobody here will give you a bad time about doing this project and they'll help as much as possible. The first bit of advise is to forget about the cosmetics for now, that's a year or more down the road and the least of your worries, start looking for engines and outdrives plus controls. Also check the transom and all the stringers, if some are bad the rest aren't far behind.

 

[Robj]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

My 18' bowrider rebuilt cost me about $4.5k, and I had the engine and outdrive. Interior alone cost about $1.7 k. Most people who are offering you advice are doing it based on experience. If this is a bare hull, there is NO WAY you will be able to do a rebuild for $8k. Even if you buy junker boats and use the engines and drives you will still be faced with rebuilding the used units. If you can do it for $20k, you are doing excellent. Regardless when you are done it will be a great boat, providing you can afford the fuel to run it. If $8k is your max, then I suggest you take on another project.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[jserb]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

6000.00 in motors(With shifters & guages)those are 1996 225 hp mercs im buying, 1000 steering, 1000 Materail, 1000 paint = 8-9000..... but I bet i find the steering for less, and buy the motors for less. If im wrong im wrong, I'll pay what it takes to do it right. Just let me get the photos up first Rob.(But your opinion is very valued please continue to check in!)
The end date for this project is April 2009.

 

[zach103]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

your gunna need alot help than.. you've =come to the right place..

 

[Robj]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

What about stringers and deck? You mentioned engines, but not drives. I think you are better off to increase your budget and if you come in under that is a bonus. All the little things add up, fast. Just to do your stringers and deck will cost you a $2k +, that is doing the work yourself. Once you get into it, you will know what I mean. Wish you all the luck.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[jonesg]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

A positive attitude will carry the day.
Your budget is $8K now, but in 2 yrs it can expand, unless you are retiring today.

It can be done if you use craigslist, I see twins for cheap all the time "re-powering" etc. Theres nothing you need that I haven't seen cheap on craigslist.
I hired a shipwright and mechanic to guide me (from craigslist) for $50 hr.
So far he only cost me $185 and he gave me a work list that'll take 2 yrs.

take time to enjoy the project.

 

[zach103]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

now lets see some pictures

 

[salty87]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

i agree that it sounds like a fun project. $700 is a sweet starting price but i'm also concerned about the budget. $8k sounds about right for a serious overhaul of an intact boat. i'd hate to see you throw several thousand$ at her and not finish.

i've spent nearly a year and close to $5k on my 23' inboard and it was in pretty good shape (other than the rotten stringers and deck). you're starting from scratch on a boat you haven't seen outfitted. that's going to be much harder than getting one back into shape. you'll also have to buy, even though you may be able to find used stuff, all sorts of stuff from electronics, interior...new seats?...yikes, small stuff rigging up engines adds up quick, outdrives...no thanks...wow.

i think someone mentioned jotting down a list of major components you'll need along with an estimated price list. i'm not trying to talk you out of it, i'd love to see how it turns out. i'd hate to see you not finish it after spending money.

if you can get the job done for that cheap, you might be able to get some money out of the deal. realistically, don't count on either or you might be disappointed.

those $6k engines prob need some work or they will fairly soon. whatever time you think any part of the project will take, double it. same with the budget.

good luck

 

[erikgreen]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

Hey, dare to dream.

If you shop carefully you might pull this off. Plus you'll need a good measure of luck, and a ton and a half of hard work.

I redid the engine, drive, controls (mostly), electronics, stringers, deck, and interior of my 21 footer for about $5000 so far. It doesn't look new (yet, anyway) but it's paid for and it's mine. The trick is to have cash ready for when the good deals come along, rather than just buying things when you want or need them. If you see a great deal on drives, make sure you've saved the cash to take advantage of it.

Those engines he got for $3000 each might be in decent shape guys, you never know. All depends on where you buy and how lucky you are.

Erik

 

[fishingdan]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

I like your energy and commitment.

Your budget may or may not be sufficient, but you don't know right now. The fact is that you don't know at this point. What you have is some available or projected funding for this project. I would suggest as stated above. Put together a little work plan and then put together a materials list (with projected costs). Once you have that, and you are comfortable that it will meet your goal, then you have a budget and a rough time line. Funding that budget is a separate activity. Spending time doing this now will be invaluable.

For epoxy and fiberglass materials, I would look to:

http://boatbuildercentral.com/

They have a house brand of epoxy that is as good as standard System Three epoxy and nearly as good as System Three's premium Silver Tip line. Their house brand is nicely priced and they will work with you to figure how much you need.

Good luck with the project,
Dan

 

[Firestar]

Re: HUGE PROJECT!! 30' Scarab Sport overhual

What was the original power on the30 ft. Scarab?

Somehow twin 305's seems underpowered for a 30 footer.