89 scarab?

[repo-man]

looking to buy a 89 21ft scarab from a buddy who is a boat mechanic. boat is in excelent shape with the 350 mag. what is this boat worth? im not very familiar with the scarabs. any help would be appreciated

 

[mr 88]

Re: 89 scarab?

I would bump around on Craigs and punch in Scarab in the search icon for every city within 500-1000 miles.That and ebay will give you a idea.Who says it is in excellent shape? Floor,stringers,transom,bellows,u-joints,mercruiser outdrive if so what has been done to it as far as service goes? how many hours on the engine? compression test has been done by who? Where was it stored? Mooring cover?condition of upholtsery,controls and all instruments,blowers,pumps,lights etc working?What does your buddy want for her? Also try posting in the Wellcraft section near the bottom of the main forum page,as it is made by them to the best of my knowledge,Scarab being a model,not Mfg.-1983/30'w twin 454's and triaxle trailer,asking 22.500 on the local Craigs ,only one listed.
There should be a sticky post at the very top to all people looking for a boat that tells them what to look for and at what point a surveyor should take over.This is not directed at you Repo man, there seems to be 2-4 post a day on this topic,buying a boat.

 

[repo-man]

Re: 89 scarab?

thanks. i have been on this boat for 8 yrs with him and our other friend who is a surveyor. he has 3 seperate covers he uses and keeps it in a big barn. upholstery looks brand new and everything works. has 410 hrs and a 04 double axle trailer. i can get it for 7k. i have searched here and dont see a lot on the smaller scarabs.. thanks

 

[mr 88]

Re: 89 scarab?

Low hours and yes it sounds like he took very good care of it and close to mint cond.Just try searching randomly over the US on Craigs to see if he is in the ballpark.If I was looking for such a boat I would check around for peace of mind if nothing else, there may be some blue book for the older boats.If he is not hurting for money than he will get what he is asking sooner or later.

 

[HollaGeo]

Re: 89 scarab?

How a 20+ year old speed-boat still can fetch $7K especially in this economy, boggles my mind...

 

[mr 88]

Re: 89 scarab?

You can also try posting on screamandfly.com more of a high performance site. As far as a 20 year old boat @ 7G yes it sounds a bit high to me.Then again it has low low hours and sounds like it has been pampered. If he buys it does he plan on keeping it for a few years or sell it and move on. If so that plays into the purchase. That is why I suggested doing a little more research. I see 19-20' generic crap I/O's going for 3G that are of the same era and in need of major work.What was the list on this when new compared to a 4 winns /sea ray/chapperal etc? And what do they sell for now compared to a Scarab.Its like the commercials that tout how a Chevy/Ford of equal value is less than a Honda/Toyota when new, but what is the resale 4-5 years down the road? A lot plays into what you are willing to pay for a boat.

 

[mr 88]

Re: 89 scarab?

Just checked out Miami Craigs and a 94-19'with a 3.0 is listed at 7500. Which I am sure is a salt water boat, the other one i saw was a 90-24' w 396 and that was 7500 and had a plain hull.Being in Miami I would also guess they are high hours and in need of $$$$. If the one you are looking at is fresh water then it does sound very much in line dollar wise maybe even a good deal.
Certain boats will hit a "low" selling price and thats it. POS will just end up in the boneyard. I have seen 50 year old 31' Bertrams going for more than when they were new after being retrofitted.Ones that were hull only still going for 15-20 G. Classic fishing machine,still in demand . A "speed boat" may meet that criteria as well.

 

[HollaGeo]

Re: 89 scarab?

I have a speed boat. However, the engine I have on now isn't what was used on the boat by the old owner. My engine was used by an old man who use to fish on a lake. Buying a speedboat is like buying a muscle car. Usually, muscle cars are abused. Peel outs, driving fast, people playing with the engine to make it go faster, etc. The same kind of logic goes with a speed boat. If I were you, I would offer the guy $4K. Secondly, I stronly believe that engines before the year 2000 don't run well with the gas we have now.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: 89 scarab?

Crockett and Tubbs rocked a Scarab...I would buy it just for that. Its worth what you want to pay for it, and not a penny more. Simple.

 

[arks]

Re: 89 scarab?

For your information:
http://wellcraft.com/index.php/resources/information/1989

Here, I assumed it has some of the 'normal' options on a go-fast. Notice I included 3 covers:
http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/1989/Wellcraft-Marine-Corp/SCARAB-EXCEL-21-21/Standard-Equipment
Original List, Low Retail , Average Retail
Base Price: $25,460 $3,550 $3,970
Engine: 266-300 HP (5.7L #) $220 $220
Options: (add options)

Boat Cover - 20 ft. thru 25 ft. $95 $110
Boat Cover - Custom - 18 ft. thru 25 ft. $170 $195
Cockpit Cover $160 $180
Depth Sounder $80 $90
Swim Step - Fiberglass $110 $125
See all options chosen

TOTALS LIST:$25,460 LOW RETAIL$4,385 AVG RETAIL$4,890



I think that was the next-to-last year Wellcraft made Scarabs with encapsulated plywood stringers. Make sure the stringers and transom are solid. Your surveyor friend can show you how.
Even with the tandem trailer, in this economy 7K is high IMO.

 

[repo-man]

Re: 89 scarab?

thanks alot for all u guys help. he was asking 8k on craigslist. in all actuality the boat isnt exactly what my wife wanted anyway. it was just so dang sexy it pulled me in. my other friend that hangs out with us has a 90 23' wellcraft cc for 4k that would more than likely fit my family better but the scarab...just has a magnatism.. i will look past it because it seems like it might be the best thing rather than my wife hating it and taking a loss. thank u all so much for the help. u guys are the best

 

[180shabah]

Re: 89 scarab?

Secondly, I stronly believe that engines before the year 2000 don't run well with the gas we have now.

Where does this crap come from??????

 

[QC]

Re: 89 scarab?

+1 ^^^^^^ :facepalm:

 

[Putinbaybum]

Re: 89 scarab?

I would keep an eye on the stringers and and transom in the late 80's Wellcrafts. They have a reputation for the superstructure and floors rotting out. I looked at a few here in Ohio when I was first looking for a boat about 13 years ago. I wound up buying a comparable Formula 242LS and I have had 3 Formulas since. Very well built.

 

[repo-man]

Re: 89 scarab?

well i went and looked at it. dont know where i got 90 wellcraft from. it is a 1992 proline 230 with a yamaha 200. seems to be in good shape. taking it for a sea trial in the morning. he works alot like me and has no free time so he just wants it gone. said i could get it for 4k and owe him a few favors lol. if all checks out this seems like a pretty good deal. what do u guys think? i think this will make the misses happy for sure

 

[QC]

Re: 89 scarab?

it is a 1992 proline 230 with a yamaha 200

None of our answers apply . . .

 

[repo-man]

Re: 89 scarab?

sorry guys. guess i had a brain fart. comes from 3 hrs sleep a day i guess lol

 

[mr 88]

Re: 89 scarab?

prolineboats.and they have a proline forum on the main page....That boat is quite seaworthy and has it roots as a fishing machine,which is a good thing. It will take a pounding and ride like a Cadillac.Maybe a bit utilitarian but to me that is a big plus. Scuppers in the transom for easy wash down after the kids spill stuff all over.I would take that over a Scarab/Wellcraft any day. The Yamaha is a grade A power unit that will boogey. The 3500 you save will keep the wife happy and leave you some for gas and water toys for the family. The Resale will NOT drop significantly for years, I would say that 4G's is what she will fetch for a long time. So if you ever get the itch to move up or lateral you will not lose anything in resale vs the Scarab that you would take a big hit with. What model is it?

 

[infideltarget]

Re: 89 scarab?

I stronly believe that engines before the year 2000 don't run well with the gas we have now.

WHEW!!! Good thing I had the foresight to store several thousand gallons of pre-2000 vintage gasoline!

Wait...another thread pointed out that the EPA is concerned about vapors escaping from stored gasoline...I better go check my supply.










Crap. All of my red gas cans turned to play-doh, and all my gas evaporated. No more boating for me I guess, since my boat is a '90...heck, no more driving either since my Mustangs are '86 and '89. :facepalm:

 

[repo-man]

Re: 89 scarab?

it is a 230 walk around with the cuddy. it needs to be cleaned up a bit but all in all in very decent shape. has a newer model double axle trailer. i searched around and it is definatly reasonable for the size and type boat. any opinions on this model?