Beneteau offloading Scarab

[Winerocks]

Groupe Beneteau has announced that it will offload Scarab along with a handful of other boat brands as part of a 5-year strategic plan. Doesn’t mean we’re up shit creek, but in order for the Scarab brand to continue, the company needs a buyer. Their reasoning is slumping sales due to Covid-19 among other things. Check out this article:

Groupe Beneteau Reveals Strategic Plan

REAGAN HAYNESUPDATED:JUL 10, 2020ORIGINAL:JUL 9, 2020
Scarab is one of the brands that is not part of Groupe Beneteau’s new strategy.
Scarab is one of the brands that is not part of Groupe Beneteau’s new strategy.
Groupe Beneteau outlined its modified, five-year strategy Thursday, saying it will respond to the Covid-19 pandemic by taking a number of measures.

The Groupe will move from 12 strategic brands to eight: Beneteau, Jeanneau, Prestige, Lagoon, Four Winns, Wellcraft, Delphia and Excess.

“The four remaining brands will have the opportunity to continue their stories through new partnerships or joint ventures currently under discussion,” said Groupe Beneteau CEO Jérôme de Metz in a webcast. Glastron and Scarab are among the four brands that the Groupe will not focus on moving forward.


The release contains more information than what is written above, but is not really relevant.

 

[Ziess21]

I'm guessing that'll be it for Scarab unfortunately. I can't imagine an outside investor trying to come in and make it work.

 

[captras]

I thought boat sales were up!

 

[HangOutdoors]

I have to agree, sounds like Scarab is over.

 

[Lendwaym]

I just picked up my 2019 Scarab 215 (brand new) so what will this do for my warranties, etc?

 

[GTBRMC]

I thought boat sales were up!

I am only guessing here, but they are likely looking at the financial damage this pandemic is doing and will continue to do and have determined that this sales pop will not last. Very sad for those of us that love boating, but big ticket luxury items are among the first things to go when people need to dig out from financial hardship. We are just beginning to feel the macroeconomic effects from this whole thing - what with PPP and $22/hr unemployment (due to run out in a couple weeks), and special government paid furloughs in the airline industry set to run out in a couple of months. UK economy-wide govt paid furloughs running out soon, too. Etc.

It is sad to see long legged brands like Scarab and Glastron going away, but that seems likely.

 

[HangOutdoors]

@GTBRMC I totally agree with your assessment. I am very concerned what everything will look like once the PPP and high unemployment payments run dry and get reduced. Whether they extend it or not, sooner rather than later things are going to get rough financially for a lot of companies and individuals. A year from now the retail landscape is going to look a lot different.

What just happened in Boat sales, cannot continue or be sustained. As consumers refocus their money and look at their employment and financial future, big ticket items will be the first to stall.

 

[blthlt]

I just picked up my 2019 Scarab 215 (brand new) so what will this do for my warranties, etc?

I'm in the same boat, pun intended.. I just picked up a 19 255 ID.

 

[HangOutdoors]

To those who just purchased their Scarab, hopefully something will work out long term with warranties. BUT it is a great time to learn everything about your boat including doing the proper maintenance and upkeep, hopefully it will give you many years of enjoyment.

 

[ChrisM]

I'll never forget the smell of fiberglass in the air when driving by the the Wellcraft and Donzi plants in Sarasota, and Bradenton, FL.
Here's a fairly stout article about Scarab.

What Happened to Scarab?: The Fall of a Legendary Boat Brand — Wave To Wave

 

[Maccam26]

Parts support and no true dealer network would scare me, I do all maintenance on my Yamaha but I know I can get parts

 

[HangOutdoors]

@Maccam26 I Agree, but you have people now who just purchased Scarab Boats, either they sell em off used and hope they can recover what they got into it, hope for the best for future warranty work, or they need to learn how to maintain them, themselves or find a local shop to do it. Once they purchased they are in the eco system.

I am sure if there was a sign or they were told they Scarab by go out of business most would not have closed on their new Boats.

Of course I would suggest if this is the path for the Future of Scarab, to steer clear on new purchases.

 

[Tempest]

@Maccam26 I Agree, but you have people now who just purchased Scarab Boats, either they sell em off used and hope they can recover what they got into it, hope for the best for future warranty work, or they need to learn how to maintain them, themselves or find a local shop to do it. Once they purchased they are in the eco system.

I am sure if there was a sign or they were told they Scarab by go out of business most would not have closed on their new Boats.

Of course I would suggest if this is the path for the Future of Scarab, to steer clear on new purchases.

Great opportunity for some I guess. I honestly don’t think they’re going to disappear however. I don’t think Glastron is going anywhere either.

 

[HangOutdoors]

@Tempest Nothing will be the same after everything that we just went through, keep that in Mind. The economic impact is just beginning. It will continue for quite some time. I am sure a lot of brands, Manufacturers and stores will not survive. In all industries there will be a constriction, especially big purchase items. It is smart to cut fat and run lean. I would rather have fewer brands and products that can sustain consumer engagement and provide a quality product, than stuff scattered everywhere.

 

[ShlepRock]

Its not the end of Scarab... Everyone needs to take a deep breath in.. To get more info on this join Scarab Jet Boats on Facebook.. Leonard Maraist who created the page has explained it better to everyone ready to jump off the bridge.. He is one of the top Scarab dealers out there. I too said oh no until I read the story behind it.. Here is what he pretty much said... Group Beneteau was ever only interested in boats 28' and bigger the whole time.. They took over the Scarab name back in 13-14 I believe.. They had the rights to the mold ect.. All they had to do was put the boats together.. That's all they have been doing for the last 6 years.. They have been waiting for sales to take off (Scarabs are on back order till Dec now).. This is their chance to sell the brand to someone (rumors are maybe Polaris) who will build the brand and not just maintain it.. At the end of the day this may be the best thing for Sacarb owners.. Plus its a 5 year plan.. Its not happening over night and dealerships arent going to stop servicing them any time soon.. Go to the Facebook page and read up on it.. Very informative group..
Enjoy your Scarab like I do....

 

[Gym]

I agree with @ShlepRock. When Sea-Doo stopped making boats their parts and support were not interrupted. There are parts on my 06 SX230 that are no longer available but I'm still in the water. Scarab owners have little to worry about. There will be plenty of vultures out there if people panic and start dumping late model Scarabs for pennies on the dollar.

 

[GTBRMC]

Enjoy your Scarab like I do and stop listening to the outsiders who chime in...

I wish Scarab and all Scarab owners well. It is an iconic brand that has delivered many exciting products over the years that have, no doubt, brought much joy to many owners and enthusiasts. Current Scarab owners will likely be fine regardless of whether the brand is picked up by some other owner or not. The drive trains, obviously, will continue to be backed and served by BRP.

Note this forum was built on the friendly and open exchange of information and ideas about jetboats of all brands and types and is open to anyone interested. Your comment "stop listening to outsiders who chime in" is snide, unnecessary, and unwelcome.

 

[ShlepRock]

I wish Scarab and all Scarab owners well. It is an iconic brand that has delivered many exciting products over the years that have, no doubt, brought much joy to many owners and enthusiasts. Current Scarab owners will likely be fine regardless of whether the brand is picked up by some other owner or not. The drive trains, obviously, will continue to be backed and served by BRP.

Note this forum was built on the friendly and open exchange of information and ideas about jetboats of all brands and types and is open to anyone interested. Your comment "stop listening to outsiders who chime in" is snide, unnecessary, and unwelcome.

Wasnt meant to be snide... Just wanted everyone to not panic... Edited reply...

 

[anmut]

Evinrude did the same thing and Mercury bought out all the parts and service contracts on them - a smart short term decision for long term customer acquisition if you ask me. I don't think Yamaha would consider doing the same, but maybe?

 

[HangOutdoors]

I agree, People shouldn't panic, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be prudent and diligent in your choices and decisions especially with big ticket items. The future for the line looks like it will be uncertain, conjecture aside. Hopefully that is not the case for all owners. I actually looked at a Scarab and was so close to buying it but with Yamaha instead because the Yamaha was a bit cheaper and the big selling factor was their history and potential future as a solid Jet boat provider.

Of course they wouldn't ever come out and give you worst case scenario. But with the line being uncertain, I would urge you factor that into future considerations especially when you are about to drop 40-80k on average on a boat.

@anmut Excellent point.