[caswensk]

I know I've asked a few times already for opinions on different makes/models, but I still have not made a purchase, despite my efforts to upgrade. So, while I'm still really looking for a Baja Outlaw close enough to demo, I recently stumbled across a 2000 Wellcraft Excalibur that caught my eye. Not quite the performance boat I saw in the outlaw, but with the windscreen rather than the windshield, it actually looks pretty slick, and the owner is touting some pretty impressive numbers.

Anyone have one or have any opinion on 'em?

The owner said she's good for 65-70 with the bi-directional props and the 7.4 liter(?), personally I think if I bet him $1000 for each mph it GPS'd under 65, I'd walk away with about $7,000 off the sticker.... anyone actually know the performance?

This isn't it, but it is very similar:

 

[USER876]

Is it a magnum (365 HP) or 330 HP?? I know they were available with 502's....

With the weight and deadrise, I doubt it does over 65 with a stock 454.

I've seen 23' wellcraft nova's run 60 MPH with stock 454 mag's and they are a few hundred pounds heavier than this boat.

Nice looking boat...I'd take a wellcraft over a Baja any day!

 

[caswensk]

...I'd take a wellcraft over a Baja any day!

Please elaborate....? I'd enjoy the opinion. I am not all that familiar with either and appreciate the input.

 

[RCHEVELLE71]

Is it a magnum (365 HP) or 330 HP?? I know they were available with 502's....

With the weight and deadrise, I doubt it does over 65 with a stock 454.

I've seen 23' wellcraft nova's run 60 MPH with stock 454 mag's and they are a few hundred pounds heavier than this boat.

Nice looking boat...I'd take a wellcraft over a Baja any day!

actually I believe the 7.4 is only like 315 horse.

 

[Eclipse454]

Here is the performance card for the Excaliber.

I'm partial to the Wellcraft's myself. I have a 1991 216XL Eclipse with a 7.4l Bravo1.
Nice looking, solidly built boats. Handles rough water pretty well too.

 

[caswensk]

Without having immediate access to the boat, I'd have to guess it's the 7.4 MPI, because it's got the Brava III on it, and from the above card, that appears to be the only stock combo....

...The 58-60 mph range does seem much more plausible considering the size/weight of the boat. But would the III add much? The numbers appear to be for the Bravo I.

 

[mirage257]

 

[Chaparral SST]

I believe the bravo III one actually loses topend speed but you get the of the hole on plane exactly like a waverunner. We have a 2130 Chaparral SST with a 454/bravoIII and have no trouble at all in the 3 years we have owned it :bigsmile:

 

[USER876]

Be careful with the BRAVO III. I know in the first few yrs they came out there were metalurgy problems and they were corroding bad even with zincs on them.

As for wellcraft over baja I am not going to start a war here. It's "personal" preference"

 

[caswensk]

Be careful with the BRAVO III. I know in the first few yrs they came out there were metalurgy problems and they were corroding bad even with zincs on them.

As for wellcraft over baja I am not going to start a war here. It's "personal" preference"

Not looking to start a war at all... just a buyer looking for honest owner opinions. I'd love to hear why you prefer Wellcraft just as much as why another guy prefers Baja.

No different than myself saying I'd take my Honda over a Harley. To each his own.

 

[Super24]

I looked at the Excalibur at a show back when they came out. It's less than 23' including an integrated platform. I had a '21 at the time so I moved on. Plus, that boat is more of a runabout type boat. I wanted more of a performance boat.

You mentioned speed in a few of your responses in this thread. Bottom line......It's a nice looking boat. But, IT'S NOT FAST, NOR WILL IT EVER BE.

Make a list of what you REALLY want out of a boat. If speed is at the top of your list, keep looking.

 

[RCHEVELLE71]

that boat had a 502 415HP.

 

[Super24]

that boat had a 502 415HP.

Also, that's NOT the same hull as the boat in post #1. Notice the beam and length diff.

 

[OldMagicfloat]

The real SCS scarab is a great boat. That is kinda
like a little history. I love mine.

 

[RCHEVELLE71]

My second, OK 3rd. chice behind the Pantera(2nd. would be Superboat), would be a 23 SCARAB SCS, I love the boat, its looks, and its rarity.

 

[caswensk]

You mentioned speed in a few of your responses in this thread. Bottom line......It's a nice looking boat. But, IT'S NOT FAST, NOR WILL IT EVER BE.

The real bottom line is finding a happy medium between what I want... a 26 foot Outlaw... and what the wife wants... a 26 Crownline. Personally, I couldn't care less about a cuddy as long as I can clear 70. To her, as long as there's a porta-potti onboard she's good. Unfortunately, I've been unable to find an Outlaw within 500 miles to demo... and driving much further for something I've never even seen before is a stretch unless I know for certain it's the model I want... then, hell yeah, I'll go to texas and back.

To be perfectly honest, I'm content with the current scoot... she'll do 70 and my finger can dangle in the water while I'm doing it.... too bad there's no cuddy for the little lady...:devious:

 

[mirage257]

Your wife would like the Scarab more than the Baja , unless you'd step up to a used Baja 25 OL . The 25 OL is a great performer in rough water and huge inside compared to the 23 Scarab.The new 26 OL is a nice model too . More fuel to the fire :laugher:

 

[RCHEVELLE71]

dont discount the crownline, the 26CCR is a decent boat if you get the big block.

 

[Louie]

The Scarab SCS and the Excaliber SCS are different boats.Scarab SCS is fairly rare.

 

[caswensk]

The bottom one of the two boats is identical to the one I've found, except swap the windshield for a windscreen... which in my opinion, is the key to making this run-a-bout look more like a performer. The interior reminds me more of a Four Whinns than a Baja or a Powerquest, which is a huge + to the wife and a pretty big minus to myself.

I've come to realize that meeting in the middle, I'm not likely to go 70, and I'm more likely to run with the smaller liberators than the bigger Fountains, but if I could assure myself some level of performance, it'd be worth trying.

...but, for nearly the same coin, I'm working her over pretty hard to come around to see my way: