Hello folks,

I acquired a "new in the box" Dumas Scarab 38kV (55 inch) kit this week from a gentleman that actually owns a real Wellcraft 38kV Miami Vice Edition boat. I have been in communication with him, and will attempt to construct this boat as closely as I can to his boat, which is absolutely stunning!! At any rate, I want to thank FlogginHarvey for his excellent thread on his 38kV build, and for sending me articles on hull blueprinting, etc. This will be my first build, so any help from you guys on here will be much appreciated!!! Also thanks to all of you who post pictures of their 38kV's on here for reference.

At any rate, I would like to document this build as carefully as I can. For starters, I would like to list everything that Dumas includes with the kit (at least while it was still produced):

1. Hull (no stringers- have to do these myself)
2. Engineering plans (shows radio box construction, scale railings, parts list, sub-surface drive diagrams, etc.)
3. Pictures (although blurry) of certain steps during the build, 38 of them!
4. A very informative, detailed 19 page instruction booklet detailing each step (pictures above go with the steps)- even gives coded paint colors for the original Dupont Imron paints used by Wellcraft- I will scan entire thing into a .pdf at a later time.
5. The 5-ply stringers
6. All wood necessary to construct the radio box, reinforce the hatch, both balsa and hardwood
7. A gel coated fiberglass hatch, as well as a fiberglass radar arch
8. Stainless rod for the railings (one center spine railing, three cockpit railings)
9. Plexiglass for windshield and radio box
10. Vacuum formed seats, cockpit pads
11. 1/4 inch flex shaft, stuffing tube, metal dowels for hatch, antenna tube, various nuts and bolts
12. Decal sheet, including all instrument gauges

In addition to this, the seller graciously provided the Dumas Dress-up Kit (consists of 2 deck hatches, smoked plexiglass for the hatches, steering wheel, and 6 vents). All can be polished to chrome-like consistency. He also included a dual rudder and running gear for the boat.

Although the plans and instructions suggest a sub-surface drive and nitro power, I have chosen to go with a 260 Zenoah and a surface drive setup. I will obtain these as funds allow!!

Here are a few starter pictures of the hull, and how it compares size-wise to my Dumas Scarab 60 "S" type, which is 45 inches long. I have also included a picture of the actual boat, located in Florida. I will post new pics of the build as it goes, hopefully to help others, and most importantly, for you guys to make suggestions and point out my mistakes!!!

Thanks for reading! More to come!

Darin