Captain's Report

Better Than a C/C

Center console boats are fine if all you want to do is fish, but they can be a hard sell to the rest of the family (that is, your wife) unless you live in a house full of anglers. Wellcraft improved on the C/C by shifting the console to starboard, which makes room to port for an al fresco galley – the builder calls it an "amenity station" -- with a stovetop, sink and refrigerator. We'd rather cook out here, in the fresh air, than cooped belowdecks in a cramped galley. The Bimini, integrated into the powdercoated arch, provides shade.

There's a head compartment in the console, which leaves the cuddy just for sleeping: Midnight calls of nature won't involve disturbing one's sleeping partner. Optional air conditioning will make the 30 Scarab Sport a comfortable weekend cruiser even during the dog days, as long as you sleep within range of shore power.

Don't Forget Fishing

But Wellcraft includes fishing gear on the 30 Scarab Sport, too. A baitwell and rigging station are both standard, along with two in-deck fishboxes. Pull-up cleats won't snag your lines, and nine rod holders should be enough; there are also under-gunwale rod racks port and starboard. A transom door will do double duty for both fishing and swimming – a heavy-duty dive ladder is optional. We prefer them to the often flimsy folding ladders most builders provide. Taco Grand Slam outriggers are also optional.

Power

Maximum rated power for the Wellcraft 30 Scarab Sport is 600-hp in twin outboards. A company spokesperson said "the vast majority" of boats are rigged with twin 250s, either Yamaha F250 or Mercury 250 Verados, both four-strokes, or Evinrude 250 E-TEC two-strokes. We tested a 30 Scarab Sport in 2007 with the Evinrudes and found her top speed to be 52.1 mph (83.8 kph), best cruise 31.8 mph (51.2 kph), with a range at that speed of 395 miles (635 km) with 10% reserve.

Yamaha claims better numbers with their F250s – we haven't tested the boat with this power, but are just passing along their data. Yamaha claims 54.9 mph (88.4 kph) top, 43.1 mph (69.4 kph) best cruise (4500 rpm); those numbers crunch to 425-mile (684 km) range with 10% fuel reserve.

Bottom Line

MSRP for a standard Wellcraft 30 Sport Scarab is $163,420 with twin Yamaha F250 outboards. That's for a mostly complete boat, without electronics – we didn't find any options we couldn't live without, although we'd probably add offshore trim tabs. We think her price is good for all that you get: the cuddy cabin, galley, enclosed head and long list of standard equipment.Will your wife prefer a conventional CC to the Wellcraft 30 Scarab Sport? We don't think so. Chances are she'll say "Yes" to the Scarab.

Standard and Optional Features