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The Scarab Jet Boats 255 Open is a large bowrider built in moulded fibreglass by Scarab Jet Boats of United States, a builder trading since 1970s. On our measurements it works out at roughly 25 ft 6 in (7.77 m) of hull with a beam near 10 ft 10 in (3.31 m), which places it squarely in the trailerable family bowrider class: one vehicle, one trailer, one afternoon of prep, and the boat is in the water. Rotax-powered jet bowriders with bold graphics and an obstruction-free swim platform.
Layout is classic bowrider and that is the whole point of the boat. Twin lounges run forward of the windscreen with a walk-through to the anchor well, the helm and companion seats sit amidships behind a wrap screen, and a full-width lounge spans the transom for sunbathing and socialising. Around 13 people fit aboard comfortably in sheltered water. Cushions lift out, backrests fold and filler pads convert the cockpit from a conversation pit into one long sun bed in a couple of minutes.
On the water the 255 Open is easy to like because nothing about it is demanding. Trim it out, settle into a mid-throttle cruise and it holds course with a finger on the wheel. Turns are progressive rather than sharp, wake crossings are soft, and the boat is forgiving of an inexperienced driver — an underrated quality in a family bowrider.
Power is a Twin jet drives, 230-345 hp combined package, and that suits both the hull and the way these boats are used. Jet propulsion removes the propeller entirely, which is the safest arrangement around swimmers and lets the boat run in shallow water that would end a propeller boat's day.
Watersports are well covered. A tow point is standard on almost every boat in this class, and Scarab Jet Boats owners regularly add a pylon or a folding tower for wakeboarding. A healthy twin jet package pulls a slalom skier out of the water cleanly and tows children on an inflatable biscuit all day without protest. Skis, ropes and vests live in the under-floor and under-seat lockers so nothing sits underfoot while the boat is loaded.
Fishing is the quiet strength of this hull. Pull the bow cushions and the forward lounge becomes an open casting platform with clear access all the way around the bow, and the rear lounge lifts out to open up the transom and side gunwales. Ten minutes of work turns the family boat into a genuinely capable fishing boat, and ten minutes the other way turns it back again before anyone gets home.
Build and finish sit where you would expect for a mid range boat from United States. Scarab is the main alternative to Yamaha in the jet bowrider segment, using Rotax engines and a distinctive, heavily styled hull with bold graphic packages that appeal to younger buyers. Like all jet boats, the appeal starts at the stern: no propeller, no drive leg and a completely flat, unobstructed swim platform, which is a major safety and convenience advantage for families with kids and dogs. Draft is shallow, so sandbars, weed beds and shelving beaches are far less intimidating than in a stern drive boat. Scarab offers a wide model range from 165 to 255 with single or twin engines, and higher-output versions are genuinely quick. Handling takes some learning at idle because thrust does the steering, and fuel consumption is higher than an equivalent outboard, but the boats are simple to service and there is no drive leg to corrode or bellows to replace. Pricing is competitive, and used examples represent good value against fibreglass rivals.
Options worth having on the 255 Open are the practical ones: a bimini for shade, a decent bow and cockpit cover so the upholstery survives being stored outside, an upgraded sounder if you fish, and a stereo package that can be heard over the engine. On fibreglass, a ceramic coat or a good polish once a season keeps the gelcoat looking new and protects resale.
As a used buy, check the same things you would on any bowrider in this size band: transom firmness, stringer and floor soundness, hours and service history on the engine, steering and trim function, and the state of the upholstery seams, which are the first thing to fail on a boat that lives uncovered. Boats from this builder hold their money well, so a tidy example will not be cheap, and that is usually a sign you are buying the right one.
Our price guide for the 255 Open is US$68,000 - US$90,000 new, which moves with engine choice, trailer, tower and how recently the boat was refreshed. Judged as a whole, it does what people buy a bowrider for: cruise, tow, swim, fish and entertain in one boat, without asking the family to compromise on any of them. Scarab Jet Boats has been refining that formula since 1970s, and the 255 Open is a straightforward, well-judged expression of it.
The world's best selling bowrider size, Light, simple and easy to tow.
US$38,000 - US$52,000 new
The refined mainstream benchmark: quiet, dry, and beautifully finished for the money.
US$72,000 - US$95,000 new
A premium 25-foot bowrider renowned for its deep seating, convertible lounges, refined ride and exceptional finish.
US$155,000 - US$210,000 new
Featured Boat of the Week
This week we are putting the Bayliner Bayliner DX2000 in the spotlight, and it earns the spot. At 20 ft 2 in (6.16 m) long on a 8 ft (2.44 m) beam, this is a bowrider that reads the water well and still feels roomy enough for a full day out. A 20-foot deck-boat-width bowrider with outboard power and a huge social cockpit. Power comes from 115-150 hp mercury fourstroke outboard through a outboard package, and the fibreglass hull keeps the ride settled when the afternoon breeze puts a chop on the surface.
Seating is rated for 8 people, so there is space for family, friends, towels, eskies and the tow rope without anyone climbing over gear. Owners tend to buy it for family, water ski, leisure — which is exactly where it shines. Fuel is 30 us gal (114 l), and on the second-hand and new market you should expect to land somewhere around US$42,000 - US$58,000 new depending on hours, trailer and options.
Our full deep dive covers the layout in detail: bow lounge comfort, helm ergonomics, the rear entertaining area, storage that actually swallows a weekend, plus standard features, popular options and honest notes on where the boat compromises. If the Bayliner DX2000 is on your shortlist, start there — and check back next week, because the featured boat changes every week as we complete more full model reviews.
Featured Bowrider Article
Buying Advice
Used bowriders are the best value in boating, and the worst, depending entirely on the twenty minutes you spend inspecting one. Most expensive faults are visible to a careful buyer who knows where to look — you do not need to be a marine technician, just methodical. Walk the whole floor in bare feet or soft shoes, pressing hard, especially either side of the helm and along the walkway to the bow. Any sponginess, flexing or creaking suggests water in the floor core, which is the single most expensive fault on a small boat. Then grip the outboard or drive leg and push up and down firmly while watching the transom from inside. Movement, flexing, cracks radiating from the drive cutout or rusty screw heads all point to a wet transom. Lift every hatch and look for staining, standing water and rust streaks in the bilge — a dry bilge after rain is a very good sign. Ask for service records and hours. Cold-start the engine yourself: it should fire within a few seconds, settle to a steady idle and pump a strong stream of cooling water. Grey or milky oil, a sweet coolant smell or heavy smoke are reasons to walk away.
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