2014 vs 2015 vs 2016 - help me pick a new 215 HOI

[PanamaJet]

I have done the readings (mostly on this forum - thanks) and obtained what information is available online regarding the differences between the model years, however it is not quite enough to arrive at an informed decision.

I intend to use my 215 HO(I) near-shore in Panama (the country with the Canal, not the city in Florida) on the Pacific Ocean side. Unfortunately there is only one Scarab dealer in the country and they leave much to be desired - at least when it comes to their sales process. As such, my best option is to buy my new Scarab anywhere in the USA and then ship it down to Panama.

I did some searching and these are the top options that I found, sorted by asking price (including all dealer fees, not including any government fees). They are all being sold as brand new (overstock):

2014 215 HO
400 HP
Bow & Cockpit Cover
Wakeboard Tower
Tandem Axle Trailer
Spare Tire
$39750

2015 215 HO
400 HP
Graphic
Underwater & Docking Lights
Wakeboard Tower with Bimini Top
Bow & Cockpit Cover
Galvanized Trailer
$46579

2015 215 HO Impulse
400 HP
Digital Speed Control Package
Bow & Cockpit Cover
Premium Sound System
Dual Brake Tandem-Axle Trailer
Aluminum Wheels
Alum Spare Tire
$47,699

2015 215 HO Impulse
500 HP
Digital Speed Control Package
Bow & Cockpit Cover
Premium Sound System
Tower Speakers
Tandem-Axle Trailer
$48750


Assuming that my budget is up to $55,000 and I have no intention to resell the boat in many years, which one of these offers would you say has the best value?

Is it wise to get a 2014/2015 for the big cost savings or is the 2016 so much better than it is worth paying more for?

 

[Speedling]

I personally would go with the 500 hp.
Otherwise i would say the 400 hp is a good sweet spot and go with the newest of those that have the things you want on it.
Newer to me with boats that just came oit means that they have tweaked things a bit hopefully to have a better boat.

 

[0627Devildog]

The best Scarab you could get is a Yamaha. ; )

If you're already importing, I would stay away from Scarab if at all possible considering all the issues and grab a nice Yamaha for that money.

Strictly my opinion.

 

[a4effort]

I just purchased a 2015 215HO and I was told it was 400hp but I'm not sure that it is. Top speed seems to be a little over 40 mph. 40 sounds good until you're in the boat going 40 and then you wish it would do 50. I agree that more HP is better. I never discuss what I pay for things but I will say I had the funds available and was ready to purchase so I was able to negotiate. Based on the prices you posted, I'd say there's room for you to negotiate. As a new Scarab owner I will tell you that it has been a bit of a challenge finding a place that will work on it. I live in SWFlorida and the nearest place is 40 min away. You must also understand the motors are Rotax and have a separate warranty and require a certified Rotax marine dealer for warranty work. I am a bit disappointed with a few fit and finish items but over all I love the boat and how it operates. I am currently working with a dealer regarding my Rotax warranty, and my endorsement or "recommendation " will be greatly influenced by how that turns out

 

[PanamaJet]

I just purchased a 2015 215HO and I was told it was 400hp but I'm not sure that it is. Top speed seems to be a little over 40 mph. 40 sounds good until you're in the boat going 40 and then you wish it would do 50. I agree that more HP is better. I never discuss what I pay for things but I will say I had the funds available and was ready to purchase so I was able to negotiate. Based on the prices you posted, I'd say there's room for you to negotiate. As a new Scarab owner I will tell you that it has been a bit of a challenge finding a place that will work on it. I live in SWFlorida and the nearest place is 40 min away. You must also understand the motors are Rotax and have a separate warranty and require a certified Rotax marine dealer for warranty work. I am a bit disappointed with a few fit and finish items but over all I love the boat and how it operates. I am currently working with a dealer regarding my Rotax warranty, and my endorsement or "recommendation " will be greatly influenced by how that turns out

Boattest.com says about the 400HP version "The Scarab 215 HO Impulse is a rocket sled out of the hole, planing in a head-snapping 1.8 seconds in our test runs, and she topped out at 54.1 mph."
You should be getting much more than 40 MPH. Maybe you have engine problems indeed.

Personally, I always tell strangers on the Internet how much I paid for something. I am happy to help somebody else get a good deal. I might not tell a friend that I know "in-real-life" as they might get jealous but online, no problem at all.
Regardless, even if you choose not to share the details, thanks for letting me know that there are even better prices to be had.

I have come to accept that finding qualified mechanics is very difficult, that's one of the trade offs of living in Central America. I'll manage.

 

[PanamaJet]

If you're already importing, I would stay away from Scarab if at all possible considering all the issues and grab a nice Yamaha for that money.

I am already having a hard enough time deciding on which Scarab I want. If I add Yamaha to the mix, I will never be able to decide what to buy.

 

[0627Devildog]

If you already have zero local dealer support you should be strongly considering it.

I am already having a hard enough time deciding on which Scarab I want. If I add Yamaha to the mix, I will never be able to decide what to buy.

 

[PanamaJet]

If you already have zero local dealer support you should be strongly considering it.

You make a very good point. So I went and looked for the Yamaha boat dealer.
The Yamaha website does not list any dealers outside of the US.
I called Yamaha and after 15 minutes on hold, they could only find the number for an outboard engine dealer.

 

[Pinhacker71]

I have a 215 HO Impulse with the 250's. Mine is a 2015 with zero issues. Hits 60mph. Am looking to upgrade to the 255. Only regret I have is not getting the 25 footer.

 

[JetTech72]

@a4effort a 215 with Twin 200 should definitely go above 40hp, should be in the low 50's

@PanamaJet if you can get an iST system on your new Scarab, that brings jet boat operation to the next level.

 

[PanamaJet]

if you can get an iST system on your new Scarab, that brings jet boat operation to the next level.

That's a 2016+ feature, right?

 

[JetTech72]

late 2015.

 

[JetTech72]

 

[a4effort]

@a4effort a 215 with Twin 200 should definitely go above 40hp, should be in the low 50's

@PanamaJet if you can get an iST system on your new Scarab, that brings jet boat operation to the next level.

When I checked the boat out the guy was representing it with twin 200hp. When I popped the seat and inspected the motors, I saw 1.494 L on the motor tag. I'm not real familiar with Rotax so I just assumed it was a 300hp and negotiated accordingly. He still insisted at the close of the deal that it was 400hp, even after I pointed out the motor tags so again, not knowing anything about Rotax, he had me questioning what it actually was. I thought maybe the 1.5 could put out 200HP. The bottom line is I assumed it was a 300, low balled the price , and he bit. So it appears, based on what your saying, I was right in my assumption and it's a 300hp. It does have "docking mode" which makes maneuvering around the dock much easier then my Seadoo. I'm not sure it's as advanced as the ist system. I don't have the ability to adjust the nutural settings on the dash.
I probably should have done more research before I bought the boat but sometimes you have to trust your gut and make a move or you'll loose. I've had offers to buy the boat for more than I have in it so I'm comfortable with the choice and it's the perfect boat for my family.

 

[JetTech72]

All Rotax engine are 1494cc (1.5L), the 150 is naturally aspirated, the 200 is supercharged with intercooler located in intake plenum & the 250 is supercharged with external intercooler located above the pump box.
The docking mode is a cool feature, glad you like it.

 

[JusFlyinBy]

@a4effort , the Power output is labeled right on top of the engine in KW. Just do the conversion and you'll know immediately what HP your boat is equipped with. I learned the hard way as well, my first boat coming with improperly labeled "Supercharged/Intercooled" engine covers, and a head strong sales manager that couldn't admit he made a mistake: P.S. - My 215HO does 54mph with 8 people, a full tank of gas and a headwind.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/215-engine-options.6419/

@PanamaJet , If I were you, I'd go with the 215HOI. I have a 215HO right now that I thought I'd be content with, but in all honesty, end up being jealous everytime I see the Impulse boats posted in this forum. It's completely irrational, but they just look excellent. But why leave yourself open for the possibility of craving more in the future? And for just an extra grand for the 500hp, I'd go all out!

 

[4x15mph]

Make our decision after tonight when the new 2017 yamis get announced.

 

[a4effort]

@a4effort , the Power output is labeled right on top of the engine in KW. Just do the conversion and you'll know immediately what HP your boat is equipped with. I learned the hard way as well, my first boat coming with improperly labeled "Supercharged/Intercooled" engine covers, and a head strong sales manager that couldn't admit he made a mistake: P.S. - My 215HO does 54mph with 8 people, a full tank of gas and a headwind.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/215-engine-options.6419/

@PanamaJet , If I were you, I'd go with the 215HOI. I have a 215HO right now that I thought I'd be content with, but in all honesty, end up being jealous everytime I see the Impulse boats posted in this forum. It's completely irrational, but they just look excellent. But why leave yourself open for the possibility of craving more in the future? And for just an extra grand for the 500hp, I'd go all out!

Thanks for the info! Much appreciated. and as I suspected mine is a 300 hp. At the end of the day I'm ok with it. I have been pleased with the fuel mileage and where I am boating there are tons of FWC, Sheriff, and local police all trying to grab their piece of the "violater pie". I've already been stopped for speeding. Lucky it was just a written warning for my speed and no throwable on board. My old boat would do about 57 and for the amount of times I actually went that fast I'm not really missing anything. Also I will probably allow my children to use the boat and they definitely don't need to be going that fast. Thanks again for the input.

 

[JusFlyinBy]

Nah that's great man and I totally get it. As you said, you priced it as if it was the 300hp model so you still did alright. Me on the other hand, I didn't get what I paid for, hence them taking that one back . But still crazy to hear they let another one slip by with the wrong covers creating the confusion in the first place.

 

[a4effort]

Nah that's great man and I totally get it. As you said, you priced it as if it was the 300hp model so you still did alright. Me on the other hand, I didn't get what I paid for, hence them taking that one back . But still crazy to hear they let another one slip by with the wrong covers creating the confusion in the first place.

To be honest I'm surprised at how little knowledge the dealers have about the jet boats and how difficult it is to get anything done with them. Scarab transferred the warranty to me but they can't tell me how to transfer the Rotax warranty. They gave me a number to call and when I did, the person on the other end said we don't handle Rotax jet boat anymore. And had no idea who I should contact. I called a dealer and sent him an email with all my info last week. Called today and got an answering machine, left a message but no call back yet. We'll see what happens....it's a bit disappointing.