Wellcraft 35 Scarab Offshore Sport: Fishing Boat Review

It’s got more than 1000 horsepower, 1400 litres of fuel, and a top speed in excess of 100 kilometres per hour. So what are you waiting for?

Wellcraft plus Scarab and Mercury equals high performance. The association was cemented by Miami Vice and that lusty 1986 Wellcraft Scarab 38' KV with 440hp Mercury inboards that hit 60mph. Fast forward 30 years and not a lot has changed. Or has it?

The wicked Wellcraft 35 Scarab Offshore Sport tested here hit 62 mph on Lake Michigan, when we first set foot aboard as a Tournament centre console version two years ago. Then it had a triple rack of 300hp Evinrude ETEC G2s. It was the first boat I drove at that G2 Evinrude launch. Drove like I stole it.

Now, as we’re flying across Sydney Heads in some real offshore conditions, 50mph seems about right, although the balanced hydraulic steering and the smooth ride pushes your further into the high performance realm. Now, 54mph seems good and that’s going to be easy for anyone. But next stop 56mph and, according to the official report, you can see 64mph.

Unlike the mid-1980s, we are swinging the latest powerful outboards, a triple rack of Mercury’s 350hp Verados — the maximum rated combo — to achieve our go-fast goal. Don Johnson is replaced by Mark Chapman as the throttleman, and I manage to pull out my iPhone to grab some acceleration footage to send to Facebook.

Yep, time flies, as does this Scarab. But in a case of a deja vu, I can recall with alacrity when Chapman and Lockwood tested a Wellcraft Scarab 33 AVS with twin 415hp MerCruiser 502 MAG MPI engines. It was 1998, off Sydney Heads about where we are now, and doing a similar thing.

Then as now, what stands out about time travel in the Wellcraft Scarabs is just how comfortably you reel in the miles. These are true thoroughbreds with offshore racing pedigree and, now, racks of outboards instead of inboards.

In fact, this is the first 35 Scarab Offshore Sport in the world with this maxxed-out triple 350hp Mercury Verado outboard combo. You can see it at the 2016 Sydney International Boat Show, meantime, share in our ride.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Tournament supersedes the Offshore as open-bow reigns
Wellcraft’s parent company Rec Boat Holdings was taken over by The Beneteau Group in mid-2014. While Americans still run the business, there have been some subtle changes to the philosophy behind the packaging of Wellcraft boats. But the big change that has just occurred was driven by the market.

This Offshore with cuddy cabin bow layout including accommodation is no more. Just about everyone in the US wants an open bow version in keeping with the point-and-shoot application of a big centre console. So the Wellcraft 35 Scarab Tournament with the open bow supersedes this cabin version for 2017. Otherwise, it's the same deal.

The base price for a 2017 -model 35 Scarab Tournament with all standard equipment, powered by twin Mercury 300hp Verado engines, fully commissioned and delivered to any city in Australia, is $318,545. Yamaha and Evinrude engine packages are available on request.

The Wellcraft 35 Scarab Offshore Sport we tested was a loaded boat with plenty of options for its sportboat-loving Sydney owner. These upgrades included triple 350hp Mercury Verados, Raymarine ES 127 dual screen GPS/fishfinder with 1kw transducer, Raymarine VHF radio, remote spotlight and, heavy duty offshore trim tabs with electronic indicators.

The optional deep navy-blue hull sides added to the cool looks, while the fully remote windlass with rope and chain and foot switches is a must-have at the anchorage. There was an electric marine head with dockside pump out and overboard discharge in the centre console, double dropout bolster seat at the helm with aft-facing seat, console and seating covers, plus pre delivery and commissioning/safety equipment.

The bottom line was $427,196 for this triple 350hp rigged Wellcraft Scarab Offshore Sport. That’s no lunch money right there, but the first-class ride is commensurate with the ticket price and that, plus some Scarab badge bragging rights as splashed down the hull sides, is what this boat is all about.

LAYOUT AND ACCOMMODATION
- A serious performer across a number of stages
The appeal of big centre console extends beyond just serious offshore fishing these days. The boats offer great access to the water for diving, plenty of seating for carrying crew, a fully enclosed head for privacy, and abundant deck space for staging a day party. It’s this latter role that has engendered big centre consoles to buyers on big city waterways like Sydney Harbour and Pittwater in recent years. Those with waterfronts who want a powerful commuter and social conveyance with some badge cred’ will relate to this boat.

Beyond The Heads, this boat is able to reel in sea miles quickly and venture to nearby ports like Palm Beach for the day. It can range wide to catch mahi mahi in summer, hit the spearfishing reefs or surf breaks, and it would make an ideal island runner, especially in the tropics from say Airlie to Whitehaven or the Great Barrier Reef.

To cater for all these possible roles, our Wellcraft 35 Scarab Offshore Sport had some neat integrated design ideas, flip down seating and fishing features. For example, the walkthrough transom leads to a stable swim platform that swings a deep-reach ladder for diving. But it's the inbuilt rigging station with sink, live well, pitch-bait bins and tackle storage right across the transom that grabs your attention.

There is also a flip-down three person transom lounge, integrated tackle-box lockers and tackle drawers, a mini-table that drops down with a small portable butane stove, side pockets for rods, underfloor insulated fish boxes, and a cool moulded hardtop with rocket launcher and angled side holders for towing flat lines up high. Outriggers would be an easy addition.

Up front, there’s a seating area on deck before the door into the cuddy that has a vee berth that with infills converts to a sleeping area for two. You can imagine yourself doing an overnighter in here after a long day on the water, perhaps while moored in a visitor’s berth at a motorboat club or anchored behind an island.

The step-down centre console, meanwhile, is a moulded bathroom with the upgraded electric toilet, sink and easy-clean flowcoat finish. It’s not that flash, but it is definitely functional and remains a key part of the new Tournament open boat layout. Add airbeds and sleep on deck if you’re feeling adventurous.

HULL AND ENGINEERING
- Engineered for high-speed offshore travel
With a foam-and-fiberglass encapsulated stringer system, underfloor foam flotation, and composite transom, the Wellcraft 35 Scarab Offshore Sport feels nice and stiff on the water despites its modest 3992kg hull weight.

The self-draining hull is backed by a transferable 10-year structural hull warranty. It measures 35ft 4in or 10.76m, but while it’s a sharp 35ft centre console the beam of 3.02m or almost 12ft at its widest point offers plenty of useable volume.

There are quality stainless steel fittings, gas struts and positive locks on all the hatches so nothing flies open at 100km/h, while padded coamings, plush upholstery, lots of non-skid decking and grabs from the powder-coated sport arch to the integrated forward rails mean you feel safe aboard.

The engineering has been given plenty of thought, as evidenced by features like pull-out battery sliders, and similarly top access to the pumps for the raw-water and freshwater systems, bilge and breakers and so on. The boat comes with shorepower and a small integrated 22lt water heater for hot showers at the transom or step-down head.

ON THE WATER
- A thoroughbred centre console
Although there’s a triple rack of 350hp Mercury Verado outboards, the Wellcraft 35 Scarab Offshore Sport advances out of the hole and to planing speeds with an element of predictable intent. The excitement down low is probably quelled to some degree by the incredible quietness of the Verados. There’s not that roar that was evident with the triple 300hp Evinrude ETECs, for example.

But with the the three 350hp Mercury Verados harmonising in “sync” on the throttle box, the superchargers really fire and you’re slung forward like some kind of large calibre ammo. I put my phone away before as we are now flying.

Before you can change tracks on the cranking sound system, the world has changed its view. The water becomes a race tracks, the air streams past your ears like a jet engine, and your eyes hide necessarily behind your wrap-around sunnies.

But it’s the lack of thumps and bumps that you remember. Ironically, what you don’t have to endure is the highlight. The good breeding means you maintain decorum and a dignified ride. Spray? That’s something back, well back, in your wake.

The race-style bolsters at the helm with drop down seat bases are ideal and you can wedge yourself in with wheel and throttle in hand. There is also a flip-down aft facing trolling seat perfect for watching the spread behind.

Back on the digital DTS shifts, before the big dash with flush-mounted Raymarine Hybridtouch 12in screens, and a bank of rocker switches that are a la race boat, we have some driving to do. Despite a bit of loose water, the 21in three-blade Mirage props hang on and don't ventilate. You could go down, perhaps gain a bit more speed, but offshore these are the right ‘wheels.’

Back at mid-range cruise of 35-36 knots and 4500rpm, life on the 35 Scarab Offshore Sport is very sweet. The boat sits beautifully at optimum cruise, where these triple 2.6lt engines are in their element.

On a Boston Whaler 370 Outrage with this same rack you’re burning 160lt/hr. That seems about right for a range of 280nm at 35 knots leaving 10 per cent in reserve. Look, at this level, you just top up after your driving fun and head to a new port on a whim. Because the sweet ride and drive is all that matters.

VERDICT
- It’s all about the pedigree and the performance
As I wrote almost two decades ago with that Wellcraft Scarab 33 AVS test (still on our sites), these exciting dayboats are all about going fast offshore and in absolute control.

Pedigree, performance and poise mean the boats maintain composure across the rough stuff. This new 35 Scarab Offshore Sport has a race-bred deep-vee hull with 23 degrees of deadrise match impressively to a triple rack of 350hp Mercs on the transom.

But this 2016-model 35 Scarab has two other things: greater ‘fishability’ and overnighting potential. And while the open-bow Tournament replaces this cuddy, all the best bits from the hot bluewater ride to the inbuilt fishing features remain. Driving pleasure guaranteed.

LIKES
>> Beautiful smooth ride and offshore performance
>> Mid-range response of the triple rack 350hp Verados
>> Practical centre console layout with a lot of inbuilt design features
>> A value buy in the big centre console market thanks to parent group Beneteau’s pricing for turnover
>> The Wellcraft Scarab badge has inherent performance-boating cred’

NOT SO MUCH
>> Obviously big ticket boat with decent maintenance and fuelling costs
>> The cuddy cabin takes up a fair bit of space, which is why the open-bow Tournament layout is now standard
>> Finish in some areas like the cabin liner not to as high a standard as some, but this is a value proposition

Specifications: Wellcraft 35 Scarab Offshore Sport
Price as Tested: $427,196 for this triple 350hp rigged Wellcraft Scarab Offshore Sport with a pile of options and upgrades as detailed above.
Priced From: $318,545 with twin Mercury 300hp Verado engines, fully commissioned and delivered to any city in Australia.

LOA: 10.76m
Beam: 3.02m
Weight: 3992kg hull only
Fuel: 1423lt
Water: 49lt
Maximum HP: 1050hp, ie, 3 x 350hp outboards
Engines on Test: 3 x 350hp Mercury Verado spinning 21in Mirage props
Deadrise: 23 degrees
Draft up: 58cm
Draft Down Triple: 96cm
Bridge Clearance with T-Top: 2.54m
Sleeping: Two in cuddy cabin

Supplied by:
Chapman Marine Group
Suite 2, Sydney Boathouse
2 Waterways Court,
Rozelle, NSW, 2039
www.chapmanmarinegroup.com.au