Restoration #4 Wellcraft Scarab Sportster 26' Center Console

[mragu]

Hey Mongiovi, This is why I had to sell the Chris Craft. (Check out pics, fits in garage with 4" to spare)

Found this on the Hull Truth.
Got it at an "end of season" price in November

Sold the heavy 4 stroke Yamaha and some of the parts and starting @ better than 0;)

Lifted off trailer last Sunday and set on showroom dollys.
Just fits in the garage with 4" to spare

Removed the remaining items to bare hull (Can railings be re chromed or do I have to powdercoat? Not a fan of pc because it peels in salt water environment)

When I inquired about boat, owner stated spot on floor was soft. When I went to look at boat, I asked him where soft spot was, he pointed to area behind helm which is removable 7' x 2' "cover" for gas tank. Stomped around rest of floor which was solid. Checked it with moisture meter. :)

Bay tested boat and ran as it should and to speed, no listing, sat in water correctly.

Pulled boat out of water and onto trailer. Boat has 24" setback and Yamaha 225 Four Stroke, plus 220lb Guinea standing on cav plate. (no movement)

Made the deal and trailered home

Boat is totally stripped, and started grinding spider cracks and holes.

Removed bottom paint on sides and transom. Sunday going to remove paint from bottom. Cant wait:rolleyes:
Want to start with a fresh slate

Will have all prep work done and ready to paint by mid February. Spoke to a couple of shops on Long Island about paint. If anyone knows of a reputable shop, that is not that busy, that is within a 2-3 hours drive from Long Island, let me know. My goal is to have the boat back and ready for rigging by mid March.

Leaning towards all white hull with silver, black and chrome trim. Would love to do twin 2.5 litre 200 EFI Merc but think that I am going to go with a 250 EFI Merc to stay in budget.


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[tux974]

Few important things!!
1- Buy a good camera to post better pictures!
2- get the bank account ready it will not be long before you will be in the red.
3- get a glass guy to do that nasty work so it is done correctly the first time.
4- get a pair of stock 225PM's you will be using the same fuel and much happier.
5- the color you are picking should match our hair.
6- the railing should be stainless.
7- call Hoser he will be happy to help you.....:eek:;):D

Oh, DO NOT hesitate to call if you need any further advice...:thumbsup:

PS; GL, they are great running hulls.....:thumbsup:

[hoser]

Ya dont forget the hooooosssseeeerrrrrrerrrr

[hoser]

And that garage that your working out of looks like a meth lab

[mustangjoe87]

And that garage that your working out of looks like a meth lab

X2

id invest in some more lighting in there otherwise your going to miss all kinds of blemishes that will need repair.

[dnelson964]

Will this be your personal boat? Sounds like a lot of work...can't wait to see the end end result. GL

[tux974]

No, not for personal use, it will be for sale next month!!
Billy that garage comment is priceless :smiletest: I guess that is why he uses his phone for pics.....:D I thought phones are to make calls :confused:
He will answer us at 2,3 am when he gets up to pee..:reddevil:

[hoser]

No, not for personal use, it will be for sale next month!!
Billy that garage comment is priceless :smiletest: I guess that is why he uses his phone for pics.....:D I thought phones are to make calls :confused:
He will answer us at 2,3 am when he gets up to pee..:reddevil:

first the eyes go then the prostate.....
i also think that's a hair piece he's sporting

[mragu]

And that garage that your working out of looks like a meth lab

I know, pretty funny

[mragu]

Billy that garage comment is priceless :smiletest: Don't encourage him Tony

[mragu]

first the eyes go then the prostate.....
i also think that's a hair piece he's sporting

How true on the eyes and prostate. :D
Hairpiece? nah:nonod:

[Capt.Insane-o]

And that garage that your working out of looks like a meth lab

tough crowd around here :P

[hoser]

We say it out of love

[tux974]

We say it out of love

:iagree: and good friendship!!

[Fandango]

Looks like a great project, you thinking of doing any type of boot stripe down the side? I like the silver, black color combo, and if you can do it, I say do the twins.

[NJSBOAT]

I sold and rigged a couple of them back in the day. We put a pair of 2.4 liter 200 hp Mercs on Stainless Marine bracket. With solid upper mounts and Bobs nose cones and 28 Spinelli choppers one ran 80. The other one with Spinelli clevers ran 82. Fun boat. Good luck!!

[at100plus]

Doesn't look like much less work than what you passed on to me but at least it fits in the garage. I hope to paint my engines end of this month then rigging time. can't get a glass guy to return my call. I have a small repair on the keel and some holes to fill inside gunwales need a cabin door too. I'm looking forward to the weather breaking.

[larslindroth]

After seeing You do your fantastic previous restorations Mike, I really look forward to this one. Spotted the 'Grand Ol' Lady' of your boat the other day over here on the left coast. It's the first and only Team Scarab 26 CC by Larry Smith I know about and she's still a beauty. I've been told these 26 with the pad run much better with a single than twins, but one thing is for sure, they are really good running hulls. Even if you eventually put as much work and money into it as your previous restos, I'm confident You'll find it worth it and keep her for quite some time.

A few photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/prkycp8wkmwvgag/BTY2u2TFUe (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/prkycp8wkmwvgag/BTY2u2TFUe)

P.S. For more inspiration Mike, Dan MacNamara and Lance Wade of Speedster Powerboats are just now building the first Larry Smith straight vee 26' in 18 years at Dan's Archer Marine facility. It'll be ready later in the spring: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Archer-Marine/335981996504896 D.S.

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[tux974]

first the eyes go then the prostate.....
i also think that's a hair piece he's sporting

LMAO!!!! :D


Billy that garage comment is priceless :smiletest: Don't encourage him Tony

:reddevil:...:smiletest:


Looks like a great project, you thinking of doing any type of boot stripe down the side? I like the silver, black color combo, and if you can do it, I say do the twins.

:iagree: 2- 225PM's....:reddevil: cruise at 65 run 80 sipping fuel :thumbsup:
That boat will run and handle awesome with twins! A single will be VERY boring, you will regret it after the second time out unless you go X or XS!
Simple-- 2- 6 or 8" manual plates, 2- tachs, 2- temp, 2- h2o press and 2- key switches and you are ready! :D

[Ziemer]

Was this the one that was up in Lake George? Saw one not too long ago that was advertised up that way and had the small cuddy. Never seen one like that before. I've always like the 26CC Wellcrafts. Can't wait to see the progress continue.

[mragu]

I sold and rigged a couple of them back in the day. We put a pair of 2.4 liter 200 hp Mercs on Stainless Marine bracket. With solid upper mounts and Bobs nose cones and 28 Spinelli choppers one ran 80. The other one with Spinelli clevers ran 82. Fun boat. Good luck!!

As much as I would love to do twins, right now its not in the budget. Although those numbers make it tempting. Do you remember what the setback distance was?

[mragu]

That 26 is nice


After seeing You do your fantastic previous restorations Mike, I really look forward to this one. Spotted the 'Grand Ol' Lady' of your boat the other day over here on the left coast. It's the first and only Team Scarab 26 CC by Larry Smith I know about and she's still a beauty. I've been told these 26 with the pad run much better with a single than twins, but one thing is for sure, they are really good running hulls. Even if you eventually put as much work and money into it as your previous restos, I'm confident You'll find it worth it and keep her for quite some time.

A few photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/prkycp8wkmwvgag/BTY2u2TFUe (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/prkycp8wkmwvgag/BTY2u2TFUe)

Thanks for the kind words and taking the time to post the pics. I would love to see more without the cover on it. I was told repeatedly also that boat runs better with a single but a poster who rigged them stated 80 with twin 2.4's. Its tempting but I need to stay within reason. One in college and one a jr in HS
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[larslindroth]

Yeah I agree Mike, I would have loved to get a better peek myself, but I have never met the owner and I was lucky enough that somebody had lifted the cover slightly to do some work or maybe just air the interior out. Sooner or later I'll get the story on the boat and I have to admit that I got an itch to own her. Everything on the boat was top notch and my feeling is that she was restored maybe about 10 years ago.

[mragu]

Was this the one that was up in Lake George? Saw one not too long ago that was advertised up that way and had the small cuddy. Never seen one like that before. I've always like the 26CC Wellcrafts. Can't wait to see the progress continue.

Sorry Zeimer, missed the post you put up. Not from Lake George though, it was from Jersey.

Another day in the meth lab:D. Hung the boat off 4 chain hoists with recovery straps, basically made a "travel lift". I have an I beam in center of garage and installed a 4x4 post in attic, bolted 3/4" solid eye hooks in and cranked hoists to ceiling. Dropped one side and bottom is now at 90 degree angle. Doing bottom was much easier this way than laying on my back eating dust from the sander. One side of bottom is now ready for paint. Going to start on other side now. All grinding is done on entire boat. My goal was to be ready to have painted by Feb 15th. I decided that I am not going to rush and am doing at my leisure instead of making it a "job". I am enjoying this restoration and will take my time. It will be ready for paint, when it is ready. No more deadlines:) Will post some pics tomorow

[arnoldys]

ok....very nice .......:cheers:

<img src="http://www.bediro.com/images/4/w1.png" />

[at100plus]

I know exactly what you mean! its not fun if you make deadlines that can't be met. This winter has hindered my progress a lot. I'm hoping to get in a groove soon.

[tux974]

Starboard bottom and hull sides are ready for paint. Raised port side and dropped starboard side. Bottom paint on port side removed, now to grind and fill imperfections on port side. Hired painted today, he is starting job on 3/28. Have to start pushing along. When I have a deadline, I usually get my ass in gear. Going to use Awlgrip and entire boat will be white. Note to Tux, painter was pretty impressed with my glass and prep work!:). Bought a lot of parts so far, most impressed with the stereo, 3" diameter, pretty cool. Going to make all my drill holes and cut outs before paint, ie, recessed cleats, hand rails etc. I designed a sunpad for the front of the boat. Will show pics tomorrow. Its gonna be a PARTY boat!

That right there would scare me about what type of painter you hired...:p
Make sure you hot cote ll the cut outs!!!!
Party boat....:confused: does days are well behind you....;):D
When does it go up for sale 4/28...:confused::reddevil:

Sounds like you are moving along nicely though......:thumbsup:

[mragu]

If I never see a piece of sandpaper in my life, it will be too soon. Boat is all prepped for paint. All cutouts made and now need painted. Starting to shop for parts

[hoser]

[QUOTE=. Starting to shop for parts[/QUOTE]

You better be nice to me

[Greg G]

If I never see a piece of sandpaper in my life, it will be too soon. Boat is all prepped for paint. All cutouts made and now need painted. Starting to shop for parts

You did all the prep work yourself? That's a lot of work to get after in a tight garage.

[Dirk Pitt]

Whos painting the boat

[mragu]

Boat is ready for paint. Can't get it done in time frame. My season pretty much ends in august with football and college. Going to discontinue for the season and get a temporary boat for this year unless someone knows a painter that can do it correctly and quickly. This sucks but I am not going to be boatless for second year in a row

[tux974]

You should know better then to only own one boat with our short season!!!...;):D

[Dirk Pitt]

I thought rob was painting the boat?

[mragu]

Made template for dash panel tonight. Who knows of a shop on Long Island that can make a carbon fiber panel? Thanks, Mike298968298969298968
Yes I know the shifter and throttle have to be swapped. Its on my to-do list

[at100plus]

How ironic I'm doing the same thing right now!

[mragu]

Boat is at Raybo Fiberglass. All I got out of him when I asked for price is an "oooooff":D

[Dirk Pitt]

Marine plastics Babylon

[YeA 20sF]

Moarrrrrrrrrrr

[mragu]

Rigging boat now. Will post some pics tomorrow. Bought a 300x. Setback is 24" Anyone have a prop suggestion. Boat weighs 2700 lbs.

[sundancekid]

I'd start with a 21 Tempest and see where that goes. If you can turn it, that would be mid 60s. These 26 Scarabs are nice running hulls.

[mragu]

I'd start with a 21 Tempest and see where that goes. If you can turn it, that would be mid 60s. These 26 Scarabs are nice running hulls.
Tempest is a 3 blade? What would you suggest for a 4 blade? Trophy or Rev 4

[Smoking Joe]

In my opinion a boat that size and weight with a single engine will need a 4 blade prop, don't think a three blade prop will have sufficient blade area. As said, Rev 4.

[Greg G]

Rev 4

[mikeylarge]

Rev4,promax, something with some diameter

[mr fun]

love that size hull, need more pitchers :iagree: :cheers: :thumbsup:

[at100plus]

How does it look? Well look on the bright side you would have spent twice as much had you kept my boat. I'm going to consider sending to Raybo after this season.

[ghost28]

Rev4 Or a Tempest....DONT overlook the Tempest on that boat...My Concept liked both....

[sundancekid]

Tempest is a 3 blade? What would you suggest for a 4 blade? Trophy or Rev 4

Yes, bow lifting 3 blade with big blades, essentially the same blade design as the Rev 4 but in a 3 blade version. Rev 4 is also a good choice, but would likely need to be in the 19 range as they grab a lot of water and bite hard. Not a lot of bow lift, so depends if you need the lift or not on which way to go.