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Need help on price/pros/cons for 2021 Scarab 285 - SoCal

TheRaptor76

Member
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
10
Boat Make
Scarab
Year
2021
Boat Model
255 ID
Boat Length
28
Hey all - looking for advice on a few things. 1) Should i purchase this used boat? 2) What price should I start at? 3) Do the pros I list below outweigh the cons?

1) 2021 285 ID Wake Edition - has literally everything except for the marine mat and RGB lighting, 44 hours on each engine. Original owner sold it to buy a dedicated surf boat (Centurion) so its at the dealer in San Diego, CA. It has never been in the ocean and it will never go in the ocean.

2) Dealer has a price tag of $132,536 before tax. Looking at blue book and others that are for sale, that seems really high to me (Blue book was $111k for suggested retail). I am thinking at starting at $105,000 before tax because I am seeing 2021 255's that are in the 90's and 2023's with steep dealer discounts. Also, this is California, so the engines are not supercharged as they are not allowed to be due to emissions. My max would likely be $115k before tax.

3) Pros: Yacht certified so can fit a lot of people, boat is in pretty great shape, will do all the watersports we need including surf (I have 3 little girls who want to try surfing), Scarab is a great brand IMO, jet boat cause river water where we are is mostly pretty shallow
Cons: I am in Orange County but go to the river mostly in Blythe, Parker, Havasu, Needles so finding a certified Scarab dealer would be difficult. Can I use a Rotax certified mechanic instead? No clean out port but sounds like that usually isnt that big of an issue.

I think that's it. I am ready to make an offer but wanted to ask the pros here any opinions you may have before I do so! Been a river rat for 30 years but never owned my own boat and its time to do so!
 
Well interesting that I just found a screenshot of the Starting price and MSRP of a 285 ID from the Scarab website that someone posted. Should I use that to go off of? I mean, I know the prices of everything have gone up but that doesn't mean the value of a boat has gone up?

(In 2021) MSRP: $113,067
(In 2021) Starting Price: $103,415

I know the wake edition and all the options would increase the price.
 

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Beautiful boat. Can’t help you with your questions, but there is also a large Scarab FB page at Scarab Jet boats | Facebook.

Jim
 
I looked at that boat but couldn’t agree on a deal. Did you buy it ?

The boat must have sold as it’s not longer available according to the link provided by the OP.
 
I believe that’s the boat that TheRaptor76 purchased. It was at the H2O dealership in San Diego.
 
Brand new 23 285 on boattrader, dropped from 180 to 120k! Crazy deal.
Prices are falling for sure.
Byers market coming back.
 
Brand new 23 285 on boattrader, dropped from 180 to 120k! Crazy deal.
Prices are falling for sure.
Byers market coming back.
With high interest rates it was difficult for boat shoppers to over pay. The pandemic pricing didn’t last as long as the dealers wanted. Like water the market will find its level. I believe there are 2 285 Scarabs under $125k & a few 255’s under $100k.
 
Brand new 23 285 on boattrader, dropped from 180 to 120k! Crazy deal.
Prices are falling for sure.
Byers market coming back.
I purchased one of those 285(s), the black and red one at $120k. Well worth the $5k to transport it from Ca to Fl.!
 
I purchased one of those 285(s), the black and red one at $120k. Well worth the $5k to transport it from Ca to Fl.!
You purchased the boat I was going to buy. I had a appointment to demo and sign paperwork. Congratulations. It’s a beauty.
 
You purchased the boat I was going to buy. I had a appointment to demo and sign paperwork. Congratulations. It’s a beauty.
Oh wow, did you end up buying the blue one? I’ve had it for a few weeks now and overall it’s a pretty amazing boat. Like you said, for the price it’s 100% worth it!
 
No, I wasn’t happy with the owner and how he handled our agreement with the Red 285. He never really attempted to sale the Blue one to me even though it was still available. I know when a person wants to do business and when they don’t. They are the only dealership in the area so I didn’t want to start the relationship in that way because I would have to return for service. I’m considering other brands and boat dealers with better customer service.
 
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