Launching a 30' Scarab??

[core919]

I have come across a great deal on a 30' Scarab w/ twin 454's. My question is would this be to long to trailer and launch frequently or would I be better off putting it at a marina? I'm in a suburb of Cleveland, OH and Erie has ramps withing a 20 min drive. I have not been able to find any useful info on how long the ramps are. This will be the deciding factor of weather I should get it or not.
Thank you,

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

Welcome to iboats!

For a REALLY vague question, I have a REALLY vague answer.

Yes and no

Seriously:
Do you have any experience towing/launching/retrieving a boat?
Do you have a good vehicle to tow something this size?
Can you afford a marina?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,...

What's it's overall Width,..?? 8' 6"s is road legal, anymore Ain't...

Do you have Any experince at operatin' a 50' or 60' vehicle around town,..??

If not, ya probably otta look at Dockage...

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

Given the question you asked and the fact it has twins I would have to say the marina is a better option. You could opt for dry storage on the trailer and launch it yourself which should be a bit less expensive.
I just trailered a Formula (31 LOA) back from Detroit with a 3/4 ton Dodge van and it can be a challenge if you aren't used to trailering. The first 20 miles or so are the worst and then you get settled in. Mine didn't require permits. Yours would.

 

[core919]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

Thank you for welcoming me. Towing and trailering is not an issue for me. Plenty of experiance with big trucks and trailers. About the largest boat that I have put in the water has been 18 to 20 foot. With a 30 footer I was concerend with the length of the ramps and will the wheels of the trailer run out of room at the bottom.
On a side not I feel I have a good tow vehicle, 2010 Tahoe, 5.2L, 8400 towing capacity. I will have to look into the width, never gave that part of it any thought. I can afford a marina but would prefer to leave it home. Also I work in Afghanistan and I am only home for a few weeeks during the summer.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

I sure don't see any problems why you couldn't trailer your boat as long as the width is OK. Most ramps that I have seen will accommodate s boat that size. Mine is 24ft. I know that 6 feet is quite a bit longer but see no problems. I too would rather have my boat at home where I can keep an eye on it. I see no reason why you would need a permit to tow the boat.

 

[core919]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

Just found on the iboats site the dimensions and it is 96" wide.
I've been spending alot of time trying to find as much info as I can and this has been the best forum and site.
Thank you all,

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

Thank you for welcoming me. Towing and trailering is not an issue for me. Plenty of experiance with big trucks and trailers. About the largest boat that I have put in the water has been 18 to 20 foot. With a 30 footer I was concerend with the length of the ramps and will the wheels of the trailer run out of room at the bottom.
On a side not I feel I have a good tow vehicle, 2010 Tahoe, 5.2L, 8400 towing capacity. I will have to look into the width, never gave that part of it any thought. I can afford a marina but would prefer to leave it home. Also I work in Afghanistan and I am only home for a few weeeks during the summer.

Looks like a lot of tail wagging a very short dog.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

I don't see hardly any 1/2 ton trucks towing 30'+ scarabs. It's always a 3/4 or 1-ton. I'm willing to bet you won't want to mess with trailering that thing all the time for a 20-minute drive. However, backing the boat in probably wouldn't be too much of an issue at most ramps. The bow is long but light, so the boat usually floats off the trailer before you have the bow over the water.

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

Just found on the iboats site the dimensions and it is 96" wide.
I've been spending alot of time trying to find as much info as I can and this has been the best forum and site.
Thank you all,

I would measure it myself when You go to look at it. That engine compartment must be really cramped with 2 454s in only 8'. Almost every twin I have seen is closer to 10'. Those dedicated go fasts may be skinnier than I thought.

 

[arks]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

haulnazz15 is right- that's a LOT of boat to haul with any half-ton, especially a short Tahoe. Might be OK once or twice a year- if there's no big hills- but the trailer better have good brakes.
As far as the ramps, no local knowledge but a trailer that long may drag its frame if the ramp has a sharp 'break' like my local ramp. Might be a good idea to ask around or spend some time watching other people launch similar boats before you commit.

That engine compartment must be really cramped with 2 454s in only 8'. Almost every twin I have seen is closer to 10'. Those dedicated go fasts may be skinnier than I thought.

Yeah, they are!
Not sure exactly what year/model the OP has but all '80 era 30' Scarabs were made from the same hull mold.
Pasted from iboats manufacturers info:
1986 30 Scarab II
This inboard/outboard sports cruiser has a fiberglass hull, is 29.5 feet long and 96 inches wide at the widest point. The boat weighs approximately 6500 pounds with an empty fuel tank and without any gear or passengers.

Information on this page is provided to you as a free service of iboats.com. Because this information has come from many sources we can not guarantee its accuracy. Even if this information is the same as the original factory specs, boats are sometimes modified. Thus, for safety and other reasons, it is a good idea to verify information here to make sure it matches up with your boat. For additional information, we recommend the iboats forums and a boating safety course.
Engine Information:
This boat may have come with the following or other engines :
(In the interest of safety, never exceed the manufacturer's maximum horsepower rating for your boat.)
660 hp with 2 engines ( 330 hp per engine)
800 hp with 2 engines ( 400 hp per engine)

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

I'd hate to service that thing... had twin 350's in an 8' beam and that sucked let alone big blocks. I hope you have a mechanically inclined skinny 12 yr old to get at the spark plugs and the block drains!

 

[vindicator101]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

core919, This site is great for general boating information but you might want to also check out offshoreonly.com for more of a high performance slant.

 

[core919]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

Lot of great ideas. I think I'll goahead and make the purchase. Myself and most of my friends and family are all mechanically inclined, although with the limited time I have when I am home I will probably just pay someone to do all the service it needs while I am gone. I will probably go watch most of the ramps to get a good idea of whats going on and if any will be ok for this long of a boat. Great excuse to go ride my Harley all day. Then I will see how the Tahoe does for the Haul once, If its not good than that will be a good reason to trade my Dakota for a new HD Chevy, Dodge or Ford. I like them all. The boat does not come with a trailer so that will be next. I will most likely look for something newer with a good set of brakes.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

Without a trailer.
Without the proper tow vehicle.
And with very limited yearly use.
Your a prime candidate for rack storage.

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

without a trailer.
Without the proper tow vehicle.
And with very limited yearly use.
Your a prime candidate for rack storage.

bingo!!

 

[Splat]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

Core,

I may be able to help. Both public ramps have plenty of maneuvering room for that much rig. The ramps at Edgewater are a bit shallower of an incline and I've seen many people launching scarabs and go fast's from those ramps. TONS of room!

The 72nd street ramps (gordon park) there's plenty of maneuvering room, but the launches are narrower and I'm unaware how long the ramp is. They just rebuilt them last year so I don't know them that well. The ramps and the break to level ground is steeper here. I've never seen anyone launch a large vessel here, but I typically go in at edgewater.

Last choice I can think of would be launching from lakewood into the rocky river. I wouldn't even consider this option. No room for that much rig at this launch. Parking also isn't viable here.

Bill

 

[Josh P]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

Core,

I may be able to help. Both public ramps have plenty of maneuvering room for that much rig. The ramps at Edgewater are a bit shallower of an incline and I've seen many people launching scarabs and go fast's from those ramps. TONS of room!

The 72nd street ramps (gordon park) there's plenty of maneuvering room, but the launches are narrower and I'm unaware how long the ramp is. They just rebuilt them last year so I don't know them that well. The ramps and the break to level ground is steeper here. I've never seen anyone launch a large vessel here, but I typically go in at edgewater.

Last choice I can think of would be launching from lakewood into the rocky river. I wouldn't even consider this option. No room for that much rig at this launch. Parking also isn't viable here.

Bill

took the words outta my mouth... Core you can hire me to do your servicing as i do all the winterizing in the stern drive twin 454 powered vessel in my avatar

 

[Splat]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

^^^^^wow a fellow Brunswick, Brunstuckyian!

Bill

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Launching a 30' Scarab??

welcome to iboats.
x2 on offshoreonly.com x3 on rack storage if you can afford it, it's great. We used whiskey island, downtown Cleveland, for several years.
At your age I'd look as far west as you can. lots more going on with cedar point and the islands for a young guy.
As for trailering with the 1/2 ton, you can do it, but extreme caution, your over the 80% rule. Might be better to rack store for the first year to see if you like boating. Also the cost of the trailer will be more than a year in the racks. If you do get a trailer then you could rent a dock for the weeks your home so you can enjoy the boat more and save on the gas prices and the white knuckles.
As for the ramps. Lorain has two public, Harbor ramp is 4 wide, free and always busy but seldom a long wait, the other is Black river, new, 6 wide, $4, and never busy so a great place to learn to launch and retrieve, but no overnight. Both will take the Scarab your looking at.
I used Miller road in Avon Lake once and was tight but will work, it's also a newer ramp.