Welp.... wanted a Scarab

[A-Aron]

Hi all,

New here from GA, have been looking hard @ jet boats... really was locked on target for a scarab.... but now I’m scared to death of one...

chaparral/ scarab / etc etc ???

Thanks in advanced for any and all help!

 

[swatski]

The early MY like 2014 had a fair share of issues... I wouldn't be too concerned with newer model years Scarab jet boats, especially 2018+ as they are catching up to Yamaha quickly with overall reliability and generally have a higher grade fit and finish, for the most part. Drive trains are superb.

Seems that availability of knowledgeable dealer/tech support in your location would be one of the major factors.
I think that Yamaha jet boats are still more amenable to DIY maintenance because of their relative simplicity, which for me was/is a big factor. Also the forum support for yamaha is way more robust, at least for now.

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[DavisAR195]

When I was looking to buy it was between Scarab and Yamaha. I really liked the detail and quality finishes of the scarab as well as the adjustable rear seat on the 19 footers. After doing more research and watching a number different video's and test drives, it was the reliability of the Yamaha's and the higher top speeds that won me over.

 

[haknslash]

Of the BRP powered boats I like the Chaps the best. I think they are the better looking boats for jet boats out there. Just classic lines. They also have their ASP Surf platform. The twin engine BRP boats flat out fly too! For 2019 Scarab are supposed to have 600 hp using the new 300 hp 1630 ACE engines and I think I read a bigger boat model may be coming too. If you're shopping new you might want to wait and see what the new model years bring. I think they release their stuff around the same time as Yamaha. I agree with @swatski the Scarab dealer network may be a big deciding factor. That being said I don't really use my Yamaha dealer either.

 

[fireflymedic]

If I was to concerned I would look for a good deal on used. That way if its a mistake won't take the big depreciation of a new boat.

 

[Matts18]

What is the water like where you will use the boat? Is there ever a lot of small debris? If so, I would not get any of the brp powered boats because of the lack of the clean out port.

We get a lot of small debris on the TN river for a few days after heavy rains and I have picked up a few small sticks when navigating through junk in no wake zones. It takes 30 seconds to remove the debris thanks to the clean out port. I sucked up something while riding a jet ski this weekend and had to go under and was barely able to reach the end of the stick through the grate and pull it out. No way would I want to have to crawl under a boat to try that....

 

[Scott E]

Going on my 3rd summer with the 2012 Sea Doo 210, I sucked up a stick the 2nd time out the first summer, caused a bad vibration, had to work to get it out on the trailer. Not sure the cleanout ports would have helped with how it was wedged in, right on the top of the fin. That was on our really "clean" lake in the Adirondacks. We've been boating near the house, on Canandaguia lake and it has a lot of weeds in the canal to / from the launch. I have used the ICS or "weedless" a couple times, it moves the intake grates up/down a couple times to clear. If the weeds are really bad, I stop at the end of the channel, cycle it and then go, seems to help. But I'm always pulling weeds once it's back on the trailer, but I see the yammies doing the same.

My biggest deciding factor on the next boat, if I'm buying new, will be the dealer and not so much brand. Since I'll be looking for them to be doing any fixes under warranty and not me in doing it in the driveway. If your not in a hurry, I'd wait to see if they all offer the newer motor, with the lower maintenance supercharger etc. I can cruise in the 20's burning only 8 gph or really fly with the superchargers working, 55+ mph and a wallet hungry 36 gph.....

I haven't been on the newer yamaha's (they may have it now as well) but the built in ski mode, cruise control, eco mode, docking mode are all great features on the brp boats. Towing tubes / knee-boards, set the cruise and go up / down 1 mph with a push of a button.