2016 Scarab 255 Review - Steven in Sales

I got to play with the new 2016 Scarab 255 Jet Boat recently and boy did I enjoy it. Its been a while since I’ve been in a new Jet Boat of this size.

Actually the Scarab 255 is probably the biggest Jet Boat I’ve ever been in. Sure I mastered the Seadoo Challenger 230 in all its variants, but the 255 is a little bigger.

My First Concern

My first problem or concern with this boat was the size of it. Would I be able to drive it? Sure I have driven the Seadoo 230 with no issue, but I worry too much.

If this is your concern too then don’t worry. I don’t know what it is but for some odd reason bigger jet drive boats seem to be easier to drive than the smaller versions.

No joke, I think the scarab 165 is harder to drive than the 255. Its got to be the fact the 255 is longer so movements take longer so you feel like you have more control.

Also I notice the gear selector for the 2016 Scarabs seem to be more smoother.

The Perks Of Jet Drive

When you take a step back in the boating world you’ll start to notice that every boat in the world is the same. Sure they all have slight differences, but you notice that they all have the round edges and all seem to be powered by a engine that actually from the car industry.

Then you got Scarab. Scarabs are not the same cookie cutter design like every other boat manufacture goes after. Scarab actually has a marine built engine that factors in safety and longevity. Plus the sharp bold lines of the Scarab really sets it apart from the crowd.

One of the perks of a Jet Drive boat is that you have no exposed prop. Think of Jet Drive as a Jet Engine, but instead of pushing air it pushes water.

As you can see in the picture above you have no exposed props but instead you have a jet nozzles and gates. The nozzle directs the water left or right while the gates move up and down to redirect the thrust for reverse or forward.

Also notice that the gates on Scarab have the water go left or right when in reverse. This gives you greater response in the dock area and make docking the boat a lot easier.

I still recommend the engine be off when boarding the boat.

In the picture above you can see this is where the Scarab Jet Boat takes in water. So the intake point is more forward which translates to you not needing to trim a jet drive boat. Not having to worry about trimming makes the Jet Boats a lot easier to drive. Plus the Jet Drive gets you on plain faster too.

Also Scarab uses a covered drive shaft so that you don’t have to worry about weeds and ropes as much. I wish all Jet powered boats would adopt this, it really works well.

Since we’re under the boat I would like to point out the metal plate in the picture above. This plate is the heat exchanger for the cooling system. This is the beautiful part of the Rotax Engine that powers the Scarab Jet Boats. Scarabs have a closed loop cooling system that uses anti-freeze to cool the engine instead of dirty corrosive lake or ocean water.

The cooling system is the same as whats in your car. The problem with other cooling systems is that they take in water to cool the engine. Things like Salt Water can corrode the engine much faster. Also objects in the water like pollen can also clog the engine causing it to run hotter, but you never have to worry about the engine block on a Scarab Since its a closed system and will not experience this on the engine block.

The exhaust on the Scarab still takes in water to cool and muffle it, but the engine uses anti-freeze.

The Trailer

Scarab Makes all there own trailers to fit perfectly to the boats they make. Also the Scarab trailers have nice features like the LED lights and retractable ratchet straps.

The Rear of the Scarab

You’ll be spending a good bit at the rear of your Scarab Jet Boat. You have many features at the rear of the Scarab, but I want to point ones you might miss.

For example, the rebaording ladder in the rear of the boat doesn’t use any straps or latches. Instead scarab uses metal hook that the ladder sits in. This is important because with age a normal latch will break and so would a rubber strap that others manufactures use. The ladder Scarab uses is simple but effective and will last for years to come.

Also the ladder on the scarab is very long too.

Here is one feature you may not notice until you have experience it. Notice in the picture above the grab handle in the rear of the scarab is one solid piece. This grab handle is strong and won’t flex when you board the craft. Other manufactures will use a cheaper “rope” design that moves around and can pinch your hands if you’re not careful. If you’re soaking wet you want something strong and secure to help you get out of the water and scarab has this.

Rear Mats

The Sarab 255 Rear Mats like on this Platinum Edition are nice and big. Enough room on these mats to lay around or adjust your board or tubes before you jump in the water.

The mats feel flush to the feet but still give great support. Its important to pay attention to the mats, even take your shoes off when buying a boat. People forget that you’ll spend most of your time bare foot in a boat and will never take off there shoes when they’re out buying.

Some manufactures make mats that don’t feel good on the feet as they tend to cut into the foot over time. The mats on the Scarab are nice and flat, but still have texture to keep you from sliding.

As shown above you also have a rear ski locker for tubes and other items you’ll need for pulling. You also have a drain on the sides of the locker to remove water that comes in.

This Scarab 255 Platinum Edition doesn’t have a tower, but it does have a ski hook in the rear. This is really all you need for pulling tubes and such.

Also on this particular Scarab 255 Platinum Edition, we have a Shower in the rear. This is a huge benefit as this allows people to clean off before entering the boat. Also works great in a water fight too.

The Rear Seats

Probably my favorite part of the Scarab 255 is the rear seats. This Scarab 255 has the versa lounge seating. So you can transform the seats into many different configurations.

You got normal sitting forward seats.

Then you got flat seats that allow you to lay out and catch some sun.

Lastly you have the flip around and watch the kid play in the water seats. All this can be done within seconds of each other. These types of seats are a must have for a boat owner.

Also under the versa lounge seating is the engine. This particular boat has 300HP which is the just right amount of power. Its also the most fuel efficient configuration for this type of boat too.

The Level Of Detail

You got to love the level of detail that Scarab has done for the Platinum edition. The quality of material used for this price boat is amazing.

The interior is smooth and even has some extra padding along certain parts of the boat. The stitching is even doubled to help prolong the life of the silver tech vinyl.

This Boats Interior Feels Huge

The layout of the Scarab 255 feels huge and luxurious. Nice padding and material throughout the boat really makes it pop off.

I like how Scarab did the cabana style carpet instead of the boring carpet they use in the non-Platinum editions. This cabana material is smooth and dries a lot quicker. I also find it to be easier to clean too.

This seat right here is probably my favorite. Its more comfortable than my sofa at home. Plus its already facing rear so that you can spot when you pull someone.

The rear seats can be extended. There is a fold out part of the seat under the seat above that can increase the seating room.

Ski Locker

The center ski locker that is located next to drivers seat is quite big and has plenty of storage. Also this is where Scarab stores the Light Bars for night time riding.

I mention early that Scarab avoids using latches since they wear out and break over time. The center ski locker picture above doesn’t have a latch either. This is also nice since this door sits on the floor and you don’t have to worry about hitting your toes on any latches.

The Seats

The seats on this particular 255 Platinum has bolster seats for the driver and the co-captain.

View From the Drivers Seat

The driver has everything they need within reach. A nice big analog and digital gauge. You can have speed, rpm’s, depth, and many more features show up on the digital screen. The analog gauge on this boat is for the RPM’s of the engine.

Off to the right is even a place to put your phone.

Next the gear selector you have the controls for cycling through the screen.

Since its a jet drive boat you only move the buckets in the rear when you shift to forward to reverse. I find this to be easier to drive since you’re not really slipping into and out of gears. So you have full control at all times too. Also since its a jet drive you have steering control even in neutral which makes docking a little easier for me. Plus this model shown here has the Docking mode which helps a bit more.

The Head

Located on the passenger or Port Side of the boat is the Head. This is the area where you have a sink, porta-potty, and a place to change clothes.

The door swings open very wide. You can also see where you can also store the fill in cushions for the front of the boat.

Inside the head you also have the sink, a LED light, and the radio controls.

Coolers

Behind the drivers console is where the cooler is kept.

You also have a type of live well with two smaller coolers in the front floor storage of the 255 as shown below.

Front

In the front of the boat the comfort factor continues. I would like to point out that everywhere you see a grab handle there is some type of padding next to it. This is important when you’re out in some rough water so that your elbows don’t take a beating.

Of course you have tons of storage under the front seats and they’re lined to protect your stuff from fiberglass.

You can also see how Scarab has water channels for excess water from rain to follow and flow out. This keeps water from standing in the boat and keeps you stuff a little dryer.

Edge To Edge

One of the key features of the Scarab and what makes them stand out from everyone is the edge to edge glass. Just like how Phones do this so does Scarab. Also notice that there is no support bars that can block your view.

The windshield is the right height for driving in either position and you have nothing blocking your view.