I'm not 100% sure but I don't think a Larry Smith Scarab and a regular Scarab, like JBK posted, are the same boat. You may want to check on that.

Also, a mid 90s 38 Cig with 502 and bravos will run 63-64MPH. I don't see anyway possible for a Scarab to run any faster than that espeically with the cabin they have.

My $.02

 

mid 90's with 502's WILL run 70.

Larry Smith and Wellcraft Scarabs are not the same...
Although Larry Smith is the designer. Larry smiths were custom orders through his California location

 

jb is correct....on all accounts.

 

no it will not run 70 with 415hp. mine with 465hp only runs 64 on the gps you will love it not fast rides great at LOTO i love mine 1986 38kv for sale 40g's and 1991 38 in the pic.

 

My mechanics buddy has a 94 31 Scarab thunder runs 80, clean boat. asking mid $60's PM me if interested

 

I was under the understanding that larry smith made all scarab panthers

 

Amer3, any pics on the 38KV? Better yet, is it in St. Charles?

 

Don't know of any problems. Every Scarab I've owned has been a solid well built craft.Hence the name WELLCRAFT. They're similiar to Formulas.

 

In NO way will a NON stepped 38 run 70 with stock 502's.

I have a 92 34 SCARAB with 509's putting out aprox 670 HP each and the boat does 78.1 GPS sith 4 guys and 100 gallons of fuel.
But my boat is LOADED.

 

Amer3, any pics on the 38KV? Better yet, is it in St. Charles?

more pic and yes its in st charles

ck your pm's

 

I was under the understanding that larry smith made all scarab panthers

Well if that's true he needs a swift kick up the butt coz my one split down the middle!!

 

I have seen several early to mid 90's Scarabs in great shape, all depends on how well she was taken care of. IMO well built and very beautiful, 38' is one of my all time favs

 

this may not qualify, but I owned a 91 34' scarab with bravos and 365HP 454's

good boat - useless vberth and flimsy deck that shook when you hit a wave, but otherwise it was a very good boat and has held up well. New owner is trying to get $40k to $50k for it without a trailer and just repowered it. I think he lost his windows of opportunity to get the money he wanted but it's still a nice boat.

 

amer..yours is a 91...

and I have GPS'd 2 that had 502's. A 96 that ran 73, and a 95 that ran 70... But thats just my experience.
I am sure everyone else commenting has their own numbers

 

I looked at an early 90's 31 and was not overly impressed with the build quality. Boat had Bennet tabs, not k-planes. Gauges were not Gaffrig, VDO, or other top brand component. Interior was not McLeod bolster, but inhouse by Wellcraft. Wiring & rigging was nothing spectacular. Probably were factory upgrades available on tabs & gauges etc. May have just been this boat, but things to check for.....pay less, get less.

 

I looked at an early 90's 31 and was not overly impressed with the build quality. Boat had Bennet tabs, not k-planes. Gauges were not Gaffrig, VDO, or other top brand component. Interior was not McLeod bolster, but inhouse by Wellcraft. Wiring & rigging was nothing spectacular. Probably were factory upgrades available on tabs & gauges etc. May have just been this boat, but things to check for.....pay less, get less.

well VDO was the norm in the late 80's and early 90's I have never seen a gaffrig stock on boat those years.

I agree with the tab deal...not sure why they used Bennets so often. But I also think wellcraft has always had decent interiors for not being McLeod, but definately not McLeod.

I can also add in my experience the late 80's early 90's scarabs are still popular boats not because they were bought for less

 

The boat I looked at didn't have VDO. I think they were Teleflex, or similar brand. At the time, I was also looking at a number of Formula's & Fountains, overall I just did not think that the boat was rigged or equipped as well.
That's not to say they aren't a descent boat. But, when you compare them to one of the other brands that does have K-planes, does have McLeod bolsters/interior, etc, there is going to be a $ difference.

 

My 34 has VDO and K planes with cable indicators.
that and over 1300 HP

 

My 34 has VDO and K planes with cable indicators.
that and over 1300 HP

My point was simply that when looking at the Scarabs, certain items that you may assume is standard, may not be standard, Ie: The K-planes with mechanical indicators. In addition, I think it was aprox. '97 when they changed over to Gaffrig gauges with the white faces, not necessarily with the bezels. The '98's were still using the black shifter/throttles. I've only seen '99 and newer that were finally set-up with the Gaffrig gauges, colored bezels, white shifters. In addition, none of the '90's Scarabs that I've seen had anything but Welcraft built bolsters, not McLeod Bolsters & interiors.

If you don't care what type of gauges, throttles, interior/bolsters, or if it has K-planes, then nothing wrong with buying a Scarab, if the $'s are less.

 

My 34 has VDO and K planes with cable indicators.
that and over 1300 HP

Hey cool paint. I used to run a 93 38' with 502's that had the same paint as yours. It too had k planes, VDO, Latham steering. The interior had the same design air brushed on it as well. It may have been over built as it was the 1993 Miami Boat show display unit. It ran a top of 63 gps with 502's /Bravo's. I think they had 415HP. I was impressed with the quality of the 38. The ones running in the 70 mph range with the same power must be stepped.

E.S.

 

An older 38KV had a hard time cracking 60 with twin 502/415hp´s...in fact No imporovement over the 454/420´sand yes with TRS´s.

 

OK let me set the record right here, I OWN a '95 38 Scarab, its pretty loaded with gear... I personally had it out in 4-5 swells running over 65 on the tach...

Right before it BROKE last Friday I had it on the tach at almost 70 and have no reason to believe its way off.. now this is only at 4600 RPM's, I can reasonably get different props and get to 70 on GPS I feel confident...

It does however have upgraded exhausts... Mirage 25pitches, twins, do the speed calculator... It adds up!

I will report on the GPS speed as soon as the motor gets put back together..

SHe is one bad, very nice handling craft... Secure feeling, carves in the turns.. I love it!!! Glad I got it, rather than a 30ish boat... ONly hangup I have had is messed up Mercruiser's... Disassemble # 5

 

more pic and yes its in st charles

ck your pm's

Ive seen the 38KV you have and its alot of boat for the money!

 

On anything you look at expecially earlier 90's models have the transom checked. Kind of a common problem , transoms going soft.


Rock Steady ,

Great looking boat but ,
4600rpm's , 9500-9700# boat, and 25's doesn't add up to 70

 

At 5000 rpm it does... Better ask somebody!!!