Most Common Problems With Scarab Boats

EOP2239_1

Scarab Boats from the past, which were built by Team Scarab and Wellcraft and are well-built and fast.

The brand fell into decline and Scarab Boats, which was purchased by the Beneteau Group, was relaunched in 2014 as a line de jet boats.

This article will address the problems that small jet boats made under the Beneteau Group brand lineup.

1. Engine Goes Into "Limp Mode."

Some boating forums have complained about Scarab Boats going limp for no apparent reason.

Limp mode can be caused by an engine problem. This causes the engine to reduce power, allowing you to "limp" slowly back home or to the launch site.

The limp mode in jet engines may be caused when the engine is sucking up dirt such as seaweed, bits or wood, or small stones, which can then get stuck in it. These objects can usually be removed easily and the engine reset.

Engine overheating and a low oil pressure situation can also be causes. Sometimes, the sensors or switches that activate limp mode can fail and cause it to be activated even though there is no problem.

You can seek help from your Scarab Boat dealer if you have this problem.

2. Water fills trailer lights

Water can get into the light fixtures when you launch or pick up your Scarab Boat Trailer.

This problem isn't unique to Scarab Boat trailers.

Trailer lights are not watertight, and will never be. You can solve the problem by sealing the covers with silicone sealant, and drilling a hole at its bottom so that water can quickly and easily drain out.

3. Screws falling out

Many people complain on different forums about screw loosening and falling out.

The complaints about the screws that secure a through-hull fitting, or the bimini top are all the same.

"The bimini top's post screws broke under strong winds, leaving the bimini open. They may have been rattling from the wind, but they aren't really secured in there that well ."

[jetboaters.net] 

The screws through the hull are secured using silicone that is not molded into fiberglass. If you remove the impeller grates guards, the nuts will come off the interior of your hull. 

[jetboaters.net] 

Many more complaints are being made about loose screws in Scarab Boats.

It shouldn't be a problem if you are a boat owner who is practical. However, this should be a concern for new boat owners.

4. Water in the Lockers

Scarab Boat owners complain about water sitting in storage lockers. This could be due to design flaws. Scarab Boat owners complain about water sitting in their anchor lock and in the storage locker. This water cannot drain away and must be manually sucked out.

Problem is, the drain holes are approximately 1 inch (or 2.5 cm) above the bottoms of the lockers. This means that water can't drain out of the boat unless it is tilted steeply enough to allow the water out.

Good news is that there are no leaks causing the water to enter the boat. Instead, the water is coming in from either a wave hitting the bow or water that has been hosed down or cleaned the boat.

5. Overall, a poor finish

Many, if not all, boats can be assembled in a factory by humans. People make mistakes.

Most boat manufacturers will have a checklist of quality control items to be aware of before the boat leaves the factory. I did not find any reference to factory quality control at Scarab Boats during my research, but it does happen.

There are numerous boating forums that complain about the overall poor finishing and poor quality of Scarab Boats.

These complaints include but are not limited: 

  • Fiberglass shavings made by drilling through-hull fittings that are left inside the boat 
  • Cable ties located in the engine compartment 
  • No-screw and no-bolts 
  • Openings, covers, or hatches not aligning correctly
  • Windshields can be loose because they have not been installed correctly 
  • Bimini collapsing (due to loose screws) 
  • Containers are not self-draining 
  • Unstitching 
  • Electronics failing 

Scarab Boats can make a bad boat or a lemon. However, they seem to have issues with quality control.

General Pros and Cons of Scarab Boats

Scarab Boats, despite all the above problems, are a popular entry-level boat. Let's look at their pros and cons.

The pros

Scarab saw an opportunity in the market after Sea-Doo decided to focus on their small jetboat range. The team created a range of small, attractive jet boats that were easy to drive and affordable.

Scarab Boats is the only small jetboat that offers an INR (Intelligent Neutral & Receive) system. This improves handling, maneuverability, and especially when you dock your boat. 

The Rotax 4-TEC Engine, one of the most reliable and fastest jet propulsion engines available, is a legendary design. Rotax(r), Jet Power is safe because you don't need to worry about a propeller while swimming, fishing, wakeboarding or skiing close to or around your boat.

Scarab also offers one of the most comprehensive warranties available. Scarab offers a 3-year component warranty, a 5-year Osmosis warranty, and a lifetime structural deck and hull warranty that can be transferred to a second owner.

The Cons

  • The engine enters limp mode without apparent reason 
  • Water filled into trailer lights 
  • Screws fall out 
  • Water in the lockers 
  • Poor finishing 

What is the Resale Value of Scarab Boats

Scarab Boats offers 6 small jetboats, ranging from the 165 ID to the 285 ID.

Despite the above-mentioned problems, this market sector appeared to be able to retain its value fairly well.

Let's look at the resale price of one their most popular models, the Scarab. ID: 

Model Year Price 
Scarab 255 ID2022$116,494
Scarab 255 ID2020$94,999


These prices are a decrease of 18.5% in value for two years of boating.

The Nada Guide shows that the 2020 Scarab ID retail price is $81,550.

Scarab Boats are able to retain their value even if they get an upgrade to the 2020 model.

Last Thoughts

Although the Scarab Boats are not the same as the original, there are still many people who love the Scarab Boat.

Scarab Boats may be the right choice for you if you're looking for a fun, fast and easy boat to navigate.


Visit Our:

Inventory Parts Services | Contact Us