What I hate about my Scarab #2

We show you a few more things we don't really like on our Scarab 215. THANKS FOR WATCHING!

[@RickyG225]

Thanks dude! You are doing us all (potential buyers) a great service by being honest with your purchase flaws in your boat. Many owners are too proud to admit these things. Enjoy your time on the water with your cool toy!

[@jonjipping4772]

Great video - thanks for sharing the experience of the wood chip! I had a similar experience with some lake weeds - didn't take me out of service, but really easy to clear out. The maneuvering takes some practice.

[@mrwilljones3015]

Beautiful unit I have a Yamaha SX230HO. I love the boating world. Hello from New Orleans

[@johndough7039]

I just watched 1&2 all good stuff to know, so liked and subscribed

[@yanisetcofino1577]

I just buy a 2015 scarab 165 , but my steering wheel its hard to turn, do you know what should be the problem?

[@wrzl1675]

The cavitation. I don’t care what manufacturer jet, outboard or I/O you own, if you’re cavitating you need to immediately throttle down and then right back up because the engine(s) will redline and blowup hence the “ limp mode” which is the computer taking over to keep “ your” lack of mechanical knowledge from costing you an engine. This is why offshore race boats have a throttle man and navigator. To avoid limp mode, just throttle back for a split second when it cavitates . That issue is purely user error.

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Randy Carlisle Not user error..it happens instantly! It goes into limp mode before you even realize what happened. Before you call someone out on user error you should know what you’re talking about.

[@mspartybootdeutschlandgmbh1301]

I habe The predesessor with hinges. Your current system allows you to take out the seats in case it has rained on them and Store it in a dry place. I do recommend to take out the carpet. It is easier to clean. The fake rubber teak deck will not last forever and if you have to remove it later good luck with that.

[@stephaniedoyle5115]

Thinking about a 255 for a first boat Mainly on a big lake love to see a review or your thoughts

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Stephanie Doyle Just got off the lake filming that very topic. You said the key word. Big lake! If you’re only going on small lakes a 215 would be fine. With a 255 go with 250’s at least. But when you get up to that price range you have a lot of boats to consider. And that’s what the next video is about! Good luck! And Thanks for watching!

[@garyrandall3415]

Hey jbj, love your videos. Very useful while I shop around. The one thing i cant seem to find any info on. And you may also not have experience with it but figured it was worth asking. Do you think this boat would pull a slalom skier without too much trouble? I know they are great for tubes and wakeboards, but theres much more drag getting someone up on slalom

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Gary Randall Thanks! I don’t think power would be an issue with a supercharged engines , but not having a skeg or rudder in the water I would think you would pull the boat around a lot. One of the things I noticed going from a prop it the nose yaws around a little more.. hope that helps!

[@RickyG225]

Great question. I learned slalom and my first thoughts on every one of these vids is what you are asking. When being pulled up and out, a great driver is key. I think the Yamahas have a setting for lifting a skier and then evens out the speed automatically. Cool feature indeed.

[@dcretney]

I have a Seadoo challenger from 2009 and find it noisy. How are the rotax jets in the scarab boat for Noise?

[@jetboatjohn8171]

dcretney it’s much quieter. My friend has the same boat. Mine gets loud around 35/ 40 mph because you are running around 6,000 rpm. I’ve been asked that question before and I said it was loud. But the last time out I payed more attention to it and at idle and slow speed it isn’t that bad. Cruising speed or above it gets loud but you can still have a conversation without yelling.

[@brandonhickey7036]

Hi John, how do you find the noise levels at low cruise (idle). We are on a small lake and sometimes like to just idle around the shore, but curious to know how you find the jet boat noise? We currently have a2006 Sea-doo Sportster and I find it loud at idle.

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Brandon Hickey at idle or slow speed isn’t bad, but at cruising speed they are definitely a little loud. You can still have a normal conversation but just barely. It was probably the first thing I noticed going from my v8 prop boat was how much louder the jetboats are.

[@brandonhickey7036]

@@jetboatjohn8171 Thanks for the info. Yes, it's definitely one of the negatives for me, but I love the look and design of the boat. So I'm somewhat torn on what to do. I heard of some people installing soundproofing material around the engine bay to decrease some of the noise levels.

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Brandon Hickey Both Yamaha and Scarabs have added more sound proofing to their engine bays. It should be quieter than what you currently have. It has a nice sound. Love the sound of twins at take off!

[@frankparisi2433]

Very helpful and interesting videos. The Scarab looks like a nice boat. I'm torn between this boat and the Yamaha AR195S. Both are nice boats. The seats in teh Scarab look way more comfortable. I'm wondering what the top speed on your boat. Does it get into the 50's? Have you compared your boat to the 195S. What are your thought?

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Thanks! I think 47-48 mph is all you can get out of a 215 with twin 150's 195 is single engine and 19ft too small for me, but would be fun with a bigger engine..

[@Freddycroutons]

Thx Man , cool review… 1. How does this boat handle in the Waves??? 2. Is removing particles from the impeller a big issue when you are on a journey?

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Thank you! As for as waves, it's really no different than any other 21Ft boat. gotta slow down for the big stuff or you're going start a yard sale. 255 is way better for big water. The back slides around a little more with the jets. the only problems we've had is with little chunks of drift wood getting sucked up at slow speed on the river. If you spin around in reverse and shut it off the water pushes it out most of the time. Never had it happen on the lake. I've gone through tall grass and it chewed through it no problem

[@Freddycroutons]

Can’t Ty enough Because it isn’t a deep V hull, the Hudson River might push me around a little more… so I’m told . Wanted your opinion, I’m about to make an offer on a 2020 255HO tomorrow…

[@jetboatjohn8171]

@@Freddycroutons the Hudson would be cool. Definitely bigger water than the Colorado! Most of the waves I have to deal with are from other boats. But I’m sure you’ll be fine. A Lot of people use them in Florida offshore. Good luck! Let me know if I can help you with anything if you get it.

[@Freddycroutons]

Thx again

[@joemiles8805]

It was too windy so you didn't go out all weekend? Safety first? Are you saying it was so windy that the boat or a passenger could be blown away?

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Joe Miles No. wind means waves out here! Not safe for a 21ft boat unless you like seeing your bow fill with water. Ask me how I know..

[@socalifone3044]

I'm looking for storage in the needles, BHC. Area. I see you have a private garage. Would you mind sharing the name. My new boat will arrive in March. Thx again. Nice videos.

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Thank you! I use Oasis super storage.760-326-3200 and next to is the palms they have a pool and a ramp you can you for the river . both are nice storage. you have to get on a waiting list for a garage so call as soon as you can.

[@jetboatjohn8171]

robert www.google.com/search?q=the+river+palms+needles&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#fid=0x80ce3b0d6562657d:0x1c0e3cd9a5ac419c&fpstate=luuv&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipOlZ9d_leUYbi2c1zyAioyvcHALZSwEZ51Eb4L1&viewerState=ga

[@jetboatjohn8171]

robert www.google.com/search?q=oasis+super+storage&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#trex=m_t:lcl_akp,rc_f:,rc_ludocids:16129721891805599338,rc_q:Oasis%2520Super%2520Storage,ru_q:Oasis%2520Super%2520Storage

[@rickmackleit3999]

What anchor do you use on the scarab

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Rick Mackleit believe it or not? I use 2 30lbs river mushroom anchors. I put about 4ft of chain between them and hook a rope in The middle. I’ve been using that set up for years. I just made a new one and filmed it but haven’t put in a video yet.

[@jchu5276]

Thanks for the video John, very informative. I would have never known about the mats. And, of course the situation with cavitation in tight quarters can only be shared by experience, so thanks. I do have a question: I realize you are in freshwater, but is it true with jet drives and saltwater, the impeller has to be flushed after every use? I plan to get a boat lift to keep it out of the saltwater, but I just heard about the need for flushing. TIA

[@jetboatjohn8171]

J Chu thanks for the comments! Yes in salt water you need to rinse everything metal after you get it out. A lot of guys spray there nozzle and linkages with a wax based chain lube to help prevent corrosion.

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Blasian Babies they are heavier so they shouldn’t flap as much. The ones I have are way too light but they don’t always flap around. But if I don’t roll the back up when I trailer I can see it flap in the rear view mirror and it drives my crazy! But Matt delete would be nice.

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Blasian Babies I Agree! Overall we love our boat, but you can find some issues with them. I’m glad people are using the videos to shop around, it makes the videos worth doing for us.

[@michaelbassett4465]

I'm very familiar with everything I've seen in your all of your videos! I even keep my boat in the same storage unit in Needles. Do you have an Instagram? Are you on any of the Jet Boat Forums?...Just an idea for a future video...Kathrines to Hoover Dam!! I'll be there next weekend, June 1st (Launching from Willow Beach) Keep up the vids! Thanks!

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Michael Bassett that would be a fun ride! Haven’t been passed Cottonwood cove in a while! Just joined River Whips. Instagram is johnmavx3.

[@MEANSBC]

The seats not having hinges is my biggest complaint about the whole boat.

[@jetboatjohn8171]

I hate that too! drives me crazy that they put them in the 255 and not the 215's

[@briancharnigo8623]

I like your vids. New subscriber here. I’d like to see some videos on slow speed maneuvering.

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Thank you! There is a lot of it in the videos keep looking. But I definitely will do more. One the best things about Scarab’s is the slow speed handling!

[@briancharnigo8623]

I’ve seen many of them but I really like your videos. You are real and honest. I look forward to your next video.

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Brian Charnigo Thank you so much! I really appreciate that!

[@MEANSBC]

Any chance the cushions could come out while driving down the road? Do they snap down pretty good?

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Brant Campbell The front ones maybe could come out,but they fit pretty tight. The backs ones I don’t think would fly out because the engine hatch covers part of them. The 255’s all have hinges. Wish they put them in the 215’s.

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Brant Campbell I have towed it about 400 + miles and they stayed in. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@MEANSBC]

@@jetboatjohn8171 You ever tow it with the snap cover on? I'm on my way home with mine. Lol

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Brant Campbell mine didn’t come with the snap on cover.

[@MEANSBC]

@@jetboatjohn8171 the dealer told me that my boat did not come with the snap cover either, but I got to a restaurant after I bought it, started looking in it, and it was under the seat. Lol

[@user-by5op8sg6x]

How do I flush out my motor on my Scarab??

[@jetboatjohn8171]

it's close loop cooling. so you are only flushing the exhaust. not sure what boat you have, but I have two hose connectors on the back. one for each engine. connect your hose but don't turn the water on, start the engine, then turn water on. only flush for less than a minute. if you run too long out of the water you can burn up your carbon seal. turn off water then shut off engine. repeat for other engine if you have two.

[@g8joe]

If you had only 40k what would you get jet boat wise.

[@jetboatjohn8171]

There are a bunch of boats you can get into for 40k. especially if you are looking at used. just have to decide what you are looking for. if you're on Facebook? check out Riverwhips and ask there.

[@g8joe]

@@jetboatjohn8171 thanks for the tip

[@ShacksOutdoorAdventures]

do you ever get anything sucked in the intake?

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Yes a few times. Once just last weekend. I was pulling a boat that broke down and sucked up a chunk of wood. Put it on the trailer and pushed it out with a long rod.

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Shack's Outdoor Adventures I suck up soft reeds a lot on the river. Usually just chews it up a spits it out. But every once in a while I’ll get a wood chip stuck in the impeller.

[@mattalba6216]

John where do you guys store the boats in needles and whats the cost. Thanks Pal Matt

[@OSkyFireO]

why can't you get the new lever?

[@jetboatjohn8171]

I’m not 100 percent sure I can’t. I asked the dealer and he didn’t think it was interchangeable. As long as I don’t have any more problems with it I’ll be happy. It’s probably the same, just doesn’t have the cheap plastic cover over the screws.

[@cannedham3774]

just put another button there...

[@user-mb3zg2sv8z]

정말 사고싶다 ♡ 스크랍165

[@UBAYBE]

Are you regretting not buying a Yamaha?

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Sylvain Mino Nope! Watch my next video and you’ll see how nice scarabs handle. Watched a Yamaha and it was all over the place! But there is a sweet Yamaha in the video!

[@bryanpa]

Without question - Yamaha is a better boat.

[@jetboatjohn8171]

Not for me! but they have some nice boats!

[@MEANSBC]

@@jetboatjohn8171 I think I like the Yamaha boat design better, but the way the scarab handles and the rotax power keeps me with my Scarab.