Water bug needs info

[Water bug]

Hi has anyone tried pulling a skier or wakeboard ear behind the 2015 Scarab 21 footer 215x ? We are considering buying this boat instead of the traditional ski/ wakeboard boats, but are concerned about pulling adults out of the water easily. I know the boats are fast but what of they're claims of being able to ski and wakeboard behind them? Is there sway when jumping wakes how heavy is too heavy to be pulled? Thx

 

[Bruce]

Hopefully someone with Scarab experience can answer can answer this directly but typically jet boats have so much low end acceleration that you need to be light on the throttles to pull up skiers and boarders gently. My two Yamahas have snapped my college football offensive lineman buddy out of the water with plenty to spare.

 

[Julian]

Bruce is correct (I have no experience with the Scarab line) these boats have awesome power for pull up skiers and boarders! I had a guest on my boat a few weeks ago that said "I'll try skiing with one ski first and then I'll switch to two as I doubt I'll be able to get up on one ski....haven't been able to in few years...but perhaps this boat has the power to pull my additional weight out of the water?".....He got up on the first attempt. When he got back in the boat...he was like "WOW...this boat has some AWESOME power!!!!"

Yes, as an intermediate slalom skier, I can pull the back of the boat a little, but not enough to bother me. If you are an advanced slalom skier and want a super clean wake with dead straight tracking boat....then a jet isn't for you. Otherwise....it makes a good platform.

 

[itsdgm]

Welcome aboard @Water bug im in the same "boat" as the guys above so I'll leave it to the scarab guys like @ScarabMike. But good luck with your search for a new boat.

 

[Big Shasta]

Don't take this the wrong way, I'm not trying to change your mind or be a "negative Nellie" I just would hate it if it was me and I missed the scarab issues before I bought and regretted it later. There have been some quality and customer service problems with scarab. At this point, if it was me, I'd go Yamaha.

Check the scarab section here for some of the issues. At the very least, make sure you have a very good dealer close by just in case.

https://jetboaters.net/forums/scarab-jet-boats.35/

 

[ScarabMike]

@Water bug

I am not going to give you any reference or suggest to either buy, or not buy the Scarab. But I suggest you read the Scarab section, and use that research in your decision. 90% of these boats have issues, and those issues can vary from minor, to engine failure. Do not trust anything that the dealer tells you without some kind of proof. Be aware that any major repair will cost you weeks without your boat. But, if you are one of the lucky ones, you will have one of the baddest jet boats on the water. Buyer beware.....

 

[702mireles]

@Water bug

I am not going to give you any reference or suggest to either buy, or not buy the Scarab. But I suggest you read the Scarab section, and use that research in your decision. 90% of these boats have issues, and those issues can vary from minor, to engine failure. Do not trust anything that the dealer tells you without some kind of proof. Be aware that any major repair will cost you weeks without your boat. But, if you are one of the lucky ones, you will have one of the baddest jet boats on the water. Buyer beware.....

wow this really make me nerves. I just bought the 2016 195 HO Impulse. I pick it up this Thursday but, could change my mind right now. @ScarabMike you're saying 90% have issues?? I will not buy this bought if thats true

 

[robert cabrerea]

All boats have to be maintained but I would hate to buy a 35k new headache. Wakeboarding needs a certain type of wake. That im not sure any jet boat can really make. Can you have fun .sure. But its more of a fast pleasure boat than a wakeboat.

 

[ScarabMike]

@702mireles If you are buying a 2016, you should be fine. Looks like they have ironed out alot of the issues. My post was from 2015 when we didn't know how the 2016s would shake out. We were still going through the 2014 model issues.

 

[702mireles]

@ScarabMike Thank you very much for the reply...Im already financed and ready to pick mine up on Thursday. These forums are awesome... I ended up getting mine for $37,990 with all the upgrades...Im super happy buddy. Nice to meet you by the way...I do wonder if theirs any Scarab jet boats in the Las vegas area?

Bobby

 

[funbobby]

Hi has anyone tried pulling a skier or wakeboard ear behind the 2015 Scarab 21 footer 215x ? We are considering buying this boat instead of the traditional ski/ wakeboard boats, but are concerned about pulling adults out of the water easily. I know the boats are fast but what of they're claims of being able to ski and wakeboard behind them? Is there sway when jumping wakes how heavy is too heavy to be pulled? Thx

@Water bug - the back of the boat should not kick out since the tow point on the tower is near the center of the boat and no longer towards the stern.

 

[funbobby]

@702mireles - looks like we have the exact same boat. I've got 11 hours on mine and I've been thrilled with it so far. It's in for 10 hour service right now, hope to get it back by Friday.

 

[luanders]

My 215 pulls up everything with ease! I had a 195 with issues that were resolved... After they were resolved, it pulled up 250 pound guy with no issues. Plenty of power

 

[702mireles]

@702mireles - looks like we have the exact same boat. I've got 11 hours on mine and I've been thrilled with it so far. It's in for 10 hour service right now, hope to get it back by Friday.

Bro it looks awesome...Im on my as we speak to get mine in Fresno and pull it to Vegas. Wish me luck fellas. Hey @ScarabMike do you know if the tower can come off? I know it folds down forward but, won't fit in my garage unless Im able to remove it?? Thank you in Advance

 

[funbobby]

Bro it looks awesome...Im on my as we speak to get mine in Fresno and pull it to Vegas. Wish me luck fellas. Hey @ScarabMike do you know if the tower can come off? I know it folds down forward but, won't fit in my garage unless Im able to remove it?? Thank you in Advance

@702mireles - Unfortunately the tower does not come off. I am looking at upgrading to an 8' tall garage door. It's either that or get the trailering cover and keep it in the driveway. Surprisingly I'm not yet certain which one will be cheaper. lol

 

[Pinhacker71]

I have a 2015 215 HOI. Could pull up a horse on skis. The ski mode lets you set the ramp for skier size and set speed. Zero issues so far. Can hit 60mph as well.

 

[Josh Budde]

I bought the 195 HO Impulse last August and have put 16 hours on it so far. It pulls me up on a wakeboard with no problems and pulls me out on 2 ski's pretty easy. I am 6'5" 285... It has some power. SO I imagine the 215 has even more power.

If you want to do tricks on a wakeboard or flips, the wake might not be ideal. But the wake if fine for a amateur like me.

 

[SPCAS]

My kids are just learning wake boarding on our 215HO. If there is one thing I don't worry about its power and I don't have that extra 100hp that some guys have. I doubt power will be any issue for you. The wake seems ok but I've seen much cleaner from some inboard boats