Should I upgrade to the Scarab 165? Compared to the Speedster 150

[cheappc]

Well, I might be selling my boat and upgrading, per speaking to a sales rep he stated the Scarab 165 rides much like the Speedster 150, but with seating for 5 plus the swim platform seats? It would be no learning curve at all I think...

Dont bag on me yet, but I also was looking into the Yamaha SX190 as well, though Yamaha decided to increase the price significantly on those boats....



http://www.usboattest.com/boat-tests/jet-boat/2015/scarab/165-ho/1109/2015-scarab-165-ho.html

 

[pwgsx]

Go with the Yamaha AR192

 

[WaTeRMaNiaC407]

You would be giving up quite a bit of storage in the rear storage locker for the two rear facing seats. I guess it just depends on how important those rear seats are to you and how important the extra seating is. I have the 2012 Speedster 150 and I do not think I would not trade it straight up for that Scarab.

 

[racerxxx]

If you're swapping from the 150 to the 165, I'm not sure I would. I definitely don't like some of the stuff Scarab did.My biggest hang up is the exposed hinges on the engine cover and storage compartment. I know that sounds lame, but I would not buy that boat just based off those 2 things. In this day and age there is no reason for not having concealed hinges. Seadoo already did it, Scarab could have just copied that over.



I'll assume you meant to compare the Yammie 190 and the Scarab 195 not the 165? Only reason I say that is you're mentioning the Yammie 190. If you weren't you're really comparing apples to oranges by sacrificing 3'. Comparing the 190 and the 195 Scarab you're about 2K different. You have to look at why the price difference and what styling you like better. Personally I like the looks of the Scarab much better, especially the interior and windshield. I know that means nothing to some but looks do help. Storage-wise, I don't take much with us so I could careless if I could only keep PFD's, a few towels and some drinks. My Speedster is limited in space, more space means more crap I have to load and unload and clean at the end of the day. Look at warranties etc.....I think the Scarab has a 3 year warranty on the engine, not sure on the Yammie. Now if you were to set up the Yammie AR 192, that is a far nicer looking boat than the SX 190. The SX is just too conventional looking for me. I like something with a bit more "edge" to it.



Bad hinges

 

[LouDoo]

BTW, the rear facing seats in the Scarab can only be used when the motor is off, so you will have no more seating in the Scarab than the Seadoo while underway. Legal seating capacity in both boats is just 5 adults. If it was me and I was going to make a change it would be to a larger boat 18-19' range.

Lou

 

[cheappc]

Thanks, your right about the hinges.. Wow never noticed how bad they are.

I love the Scarab 195 it looks way better than the sx190, honestly I think sx190 is kinda ugly

When the yamaha sx190 came out you could get a brand new leftover for $23k, not the same case anymore, the scarab 195 is like $32k... That's too much for me right now.. yamaha increased the starting price to $28k.. I like the fact that the yamahas have the clean out port...

And in all seriousness the scarab just came out, not sure about their reliability and after care support...

 

[devonte007]

I agree with racerx. I was able to see the boat in person at the boat show a few months ago and the first thing I noticed was the exposed hinges. No excuse in this day and age for that, seems like laziness on the part of engineering/design. None of the other scarab jet boats have this. I also noticed that the hatch cover for the storage in front of the driver was very flimsy and flexible. Would not take much to break it. I really like the overall look of the boat, quite stylish actually, but you can tell they went cheap on some things. The seats on the back are definitely a trade off on storage, I would probably prefer the storage on a boat this small.

I hope scarab will fix a few of these things in the years to come. I am really glad they are making a small boat like this and they have their own market. I'm sure they will sell lots of them.

If you are looking to upgrade to a jet boat with more room and don't want to throw down a bunch of cash for a new one, why not look at getting a used Seadoo that is larger, or even take a look at the glastron line which still uses the seadoo engine but on a much cheaper boat frame.

I'll probably upgrade to something a bit larger myself in a year or two but may keep my sportster. It's small, maybe a little underpowered (155hp), but it is such a cool little boat and always fun. Not sure if I could let it go...

 

[rcguy]

Don't sell your Sportster ...still miss mine. The 180 helps but is no replacement. Two are better than one.

 

[cheappc]

Don't sell your Sportster ...still miss mine. The 180 helps but is no replacement. Two are better than one.

What do you miss about it?