With powerful, responsive and highly maneuverable water-jet power, the new 22-foot-6-inch Scarab Jet 235 Open ID enhances the versatile center-console concept. The low-profile Rotax engines enable a fold-down transom “tailgate” that offers unmatched access to the water. The tailgate pivots up and down manually; when lowered, it creates a 3-foot-4-inch-deep platform that’s great for swimming, gearing up to dive, board sports, or lounging on aft-facing seats, and makes for easy boarding from the dock. The boat can be operated at speed with the gate down if no rear-seat passengers are facing aft. With the gate raised, the boarding platform is 12 inches deep.
Seatbacks on the motor box can be folded flat or angled to face forward or aft. This aft deck area and the forward casting deck are covered with soft MarineMat material. Add sun pads for the bow and aft deck ($1,715), bow and aft sail shades ($3,525), and premium JL Audio package ($4,235) and the 235 Open is set up to be king of the cove.
If you are up for action, the Wake Edition package ($9,600) adds a 12.3-inch Medallion Viper III touchscreen at the helm, board racks, and plumbing to fill a Fatsac ballast bag intended for placing on the lowered tailgate. The screen is used to set up speed and acceleration profiles, control the ballast pump, and manage the audio and RBG lighting systems, in addition to displaying engine and boat-function information. Because the boat is jet-powered, it’s surfable. Order the Fishing package ($2,735) to add a baitwell below the helm seat, rocket launchers on the T-top, inwale rod stowage, and lure boxes below the forward deck.
The optional twin 300 hp Rotax jet drives ($10,125 over the base twin 170 hp engines) deliver instant acceleration and blazing speed. Four power modes—Ski, Eco, Dock and Cruise—are selected through the touchscreen. These Rotax engines feature closed-cooling and require less seasonal maintenance than outboards or sterndrives.
High Points
- Fold-down tailgate swim platform is sure to be a hit.
- iDF system uses reverse jet-pump thrust to clear intake-clogging weeds, a great innovation for convenience.
- Optional portable head below the center-console lounge helps this boat provide daylong crew comfort.
- Optional EVA foam hull graphics look smart and protect against dock rash. The same EVA on the top of the hardtop helps protect SUPs or kayaks racked there.
How We Tested
- Engines: Twin 300 hp Rotax 300 ACE 1.6L
- Drive/Prop: Jet drive/166 mm 14/22 pitch 4-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.00:1 Fuel Load: 14 gal. Crew Weight: 190 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $103,300 (base with test power) |
| LOA: | 22’6″ |
| Beam: | 8’5″ |
| Draft: | 1’3″ |
| Dry Weight: | 3,800 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 13/2,100 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 56 gal. |
Scarab Jet Boats – Cadillac, Michigan; scarabjetboats.com
