powerboat miami vice

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World’s coolest boats: Miami Vice Wellcraft Scarab is the definitive 80s muscleboat

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Each month Nick Burnham picks out an iconic boat that can lay claim to the title of world’s coolest boat. This month, he takes a closer look at the Wellcraft Scarab that starred in Miami Vice…

In a move that rivalled Decca famously turning down the Beatles (its executives apparently citing that guitar bands were on their way out), Wellcraft said no to Universal Studios’ request to supply a boat for a new cop show called Miami Vice.

So for series one of a show that quickly became the biggest hit of the 1980s, a Chris-Craft Stinger 39 was the power boat of choice for fictional undercover law enforcers, Crockett and Tubbs.

Quickly realising the monumental mistake they’d made, Wellcraft execs made Universal Studios an offer they couldn’t refuse and from Season Two onwards, a Scarab graced the dock at Bayside Marina in Miami alongside the boat Sonny Crockett lived aboard, an Endeavour 42 sailboat called St Vitus Dance .

In fact there were far more than just one boat, Wellcraft supplied two vessels per season, painted with eye-catching pastel hull stripes.

Keen boat geeks (ahem) enjoyed spotting continuity errors, such as deck colours and the radar arch changing from teal to silver over the passing years, but most people probably didn’t notice.

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The look was matched by the sound – four storm drain-sized exhausts poking through the transom, mated to a pair of 440hp V8 Mercruiser petrol engines for the authentic ‘rolling thunder’ American muscleboat noise.

Wellcraft boat sales went up 20% right across the board, and the company even released a Scarab 38KV Miami Vice Edition that looked almost identical to the show’s boat – only those eagle-eyed boat geeks spotting that the lower hull side stripe reached the transom rather than hitting the waterline level with the windscreen.

One was loaned to keen powerboat enthusiast (he later took up powerboat racing with some success) and star of the show, Don Johnson, who played Sonny Crockett. When the show was filming at the docks, he would often commute to the set aboard it.

Several of the boats have been lovingly restored by Miami Vice enthusiasts – men of a certain age who grew up in the 1980s and who are ensuring that the legends these boats became live on.

Miami Vice Wellcraft Scarab specifications

Built: 1985 LOA: 38ft 0in Beam: 8ft 0in Power: Twin 440hp V8 Mercruiser petrol Top speed: 52 knots (approx) Price: $130,000 (when new)

To submit your suggestion for the world’s coolest boat, head over to the MBY forum .

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Lake Hopatcong Grand Prix

OFFSHORE  RETURNS  TO  MIAMI

Nearing the 40th anniversary of the iconic television show Miami Vice, OPA Racing is bringing offshore powerboat racing to Miami! Mark your calendars for September 12th-15th, 2024, as you will have the opportunity to indulge in one of the greatest events Miami has to offer. With a perfect combination of high-speed action and nightlife entertainment, this event will feature the top competitors, fastest boats, and even a few celebrities. Located at the Miami Marine Stadium, events are scheduled all weekend with VIP packages available. Stay tuned for more details as we will also be offering Sponsorship and Branding opportunities for this incredibly unique event. Hotel and registration information coming soon!

Stay tuned f or more information to come on the event.

Crockett's SCARAB

" Burnett and Cooper" mooring Crockett's SCARAB at a drug dealer's mansion.

James "Sonny" Crockett used a silver, blue and black 1986 Wellcraft SCARAB 38' KV for any water-borne activities his job may require throughout the majority of Miami Vice 's run, usually pursuing criminals on Miami's numerous waterways. It replaced his Chris Craft Stinger from season 1 .

While no explanation was given in the show for the change in Crockett’s powerboat between season 1 and season 2 , the reality was the show’s producers wanted a boat with a racier look and feel. Chris Craft, the manufacturers of the Stinger, were originally set to provide the replacement powerboats, however they pressured Universal to purchase the new boats instead of leasing them, as they had done for season 1. The studio refused and as a result they moved to Wellcraft and the SCARAB.

• 1 Notable Appearances
• 2 Storyline
• 3 Real Boats

Notable Appearances [ ]

As with the cars of Miami Vice , several popular music scenes in the show featured the SCARAB, including:

• " Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) " -- Crockett and Tubbs go to see Newton Windsor Blade on his yacht in " The Prodigal Son ", marking the SCARAB's first appearance.
• " Eminence Front " -- a night time drug deal in " Killshot ".
• " Yin and Yang and the Flowerpot Man " -- being chased by Francesco Cruz in " God's Work ".
• " Running on the Rocks " -- Crockett pursuing an arms-dealing diplomat in " Baseballs of Death ".

Storyline [ ]

Crockett's SCARAB is first seen briefly when Crockett and Tubbs go to see drug dealer Newton Windsor Blade in the second season premiere " The Prodigal Son ", but its first major appearance was not until the shootout at Stiltsville in " Out Where the Buses Don't Run ", two episodes later. While the SCARAB would remain Crockett's primary means of aquatic transportation for the remainder of the series, he would occasionally use other boats when a specific situation called for it, most notably in " Lend Me an Ear ". The actual SCARAB used in the series was for sale for about $55k in Miami in the mid 1980s.

Real Boats [ ]

As with the Stinger before it, several different SCARABs were used to portray Crockett's offshore boat. Initially two boats were used on the show; boats one and two were virtually identical in appearance, with only very slight differences regarding the engine cover and cabin doorway, and as such distinguishing between the two is virtually impossible when watching the show. Starting with season 4 , a third boat was introduced that had several more obvious differences when compared to boats one and two, namely a silver hull below the waterline (as opposed to white) and a pair of double searchlights fitted on top of the arch.

A fourth and final boat appeared only in the episode " Miami Squeeze ", and was on-screen for just 4 seconds. However, even in this brief time it can be seen that this boat had no arch (akin to the original boat used in the pilot episode ). Owing to its incredibly brief appearance, little is known about boat four.

• Wellcraft produced and sold a copy of the boat used on the show, the SCARAB 38' KV Miami Vice Edition. Only 33 were made, although the unique color scheme could be ordered on other boat's in the company's range.
• In real life, Don Johnson is a powerboat enthusiast. As a result of the significant sales increase Wellcraft enjoyed following their boat's use on Miami Vice , the company gave Johnson an exact replica of the main boat he used while filming; afterwards, he would often be seen arriving to work in it.
• Johnson also worked with Wellcraft to design the 43' SCARAB Excel Don Johnson Signature Series, which was powered by twin 650-hp Lamborghini V-12 engines. He went on to race professionally for a few years in the OPT Tour (Offshore Powerboat Tour) in a 50 foot Revenge catamaran for Team USA.
• 1 James "Sonny" Crockett
• 3 Caitlin Davies

Original #1 Filming Boat

Wellcraft scarab 38kv, distinctive. imaginative. iconic..

This is the authentic, certified Wellcraft Scarab created for the hit TV show Miami Vice, driven by Mr. Don Johnson (aka “Sonny” Crockett) himself.

The boat is in outstanding condition, having recently undergone an extensive restoration. Highlights include Kevlar hull, 80mph top speed, salon with full galley and two cabin layout, and custom Imron graphics.

This, the original Miami Vice filming boat, is one of if not the most iconic representation of the artistry and tropical canvas known throughout the world simply as Miami.

Specifications

TRIBUTE to MIAMI ICONS

Two unmistakable icons, one epic photo shoot. Miami’s colorful Wynwood district is known internationally for its large-scale murals by some of the world’s best-known street artists. The original Miami Vice Wellcraft Scarab visually complements Wynwood’s energy and vibrancy in these stunning new photos taken by photographer Ginger Monteleone and imagineered by YachtCreators.

Barin Cárdenas

Central Agent

• +1 954 530 7533
• www.yachtcreators.com
• [email protected]

Please enter your preferences in the form below. We will contact you shortly to schedule a showing on this listing. For immediate assistance, please call YachtCreators at  954-530-7533 . Thank you.

YachtCreators does not share or exchange this information with anyone. All information will be kept confidential.

• +1 954 650 7353
• [email protected]
• @theyachtmentor

​ RACING  HISTORY

Learn about the history of the Scarab Deep V hull and championship wins.

103 total 38KV's were built over 5 years, 42 Miami Vice, 61 standard versions.

42 Vice Edition boats, 9 for the show and Don Johnson, only 33 sold to the public.

• MIAMI VICE EDITIONS
• 38KV REGISTRY
• SCARAB RACING

Welcome to 38 Scarab KV.com !

This website was created to provide historical reference for one of the most iconic off shore power boats ever created. We will be

adding content, making additions and or corrections to the site as submitted data is confirmed. If you have photos or information to submit, have questions about buying or selling a 38KV or to add your 38KV to the Registry, please e-mail us at:                                                 

They’re selling the original boat from Miami Vice, the cult powerboat of the 1980s

• February 24, 2023
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“MOJO” Sold at Barrett Jackson Auction

“MOJO” The Miami Vice movie boat was sold at a recent Barrett Jackson Auction for $283,800. This boat was used by Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx in the recent movie “Miami Vice” by Michael Mann. After filming the movie, this boat was sent to Visual Imaginations where money was no object and had a paint job like you’ve never seen. This paint job includes actual computerized film slides from the movie also as well the seats and the interior have the same paint scheme. This 1150hp machine will hit speeds up to 120 mph. Marine Technology is at the top of the game when it comes to pleasure and race boats.

This 39ft MTI is equipped to the max with the Mercury Racing package including #6 drives, bonded hull and deck, custom exhaust, electronics GPS package, cockpit cover, stereo CD, DVD with rear seat entertainment, carbon trim package and lots more. This boat has extremely low hours basically from the filming of the movie. This boat is in flawless condition. It will draw a crowd wherever it goes. Maybe in your favorite waterway or maybe even a museum. Whichever, it is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

This is a very rare collector piece that comes with documentation of its authenticity. It was sold with a matching custom H2 Hummer convertible and an American Tilt trailer. Not a bad buy if we say so ourselves!

2006 MARINE TECHNOLOGY INC 39RP Lot 5033 | Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

UPDATE 1-22-14: We apologize that we incorrectly reported the original 2008 Auction sale price in the first version of this article.

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• May 28, 2021

Inside Miami's Luxury Powerboat Scene

By: Scott Way

Miami and offshore powerboating are synonymous. It's where it started, where it became a cultural phenomenon, and where its seedy underbelly will always be part of its mystique. Miami has one of the most vibrant boating scenes in North America, if not the world, and like many boating hotbeds its identity is very much tied to the geography and economy surrounding it.

Miami is 180 miles from Nassau, Bahamas and enjoys perfect boating weather nearly 365 days a year. Its geographical connection to the West Indies and South America, not to mention its entry point at the southern tip of North America, make it the ideal port of call for those both above and below the law.

In much the same way NASCAR evolved in rural America thanks to moonshiners trying to outrun prohibitionist police, offshore powerboating developed in Miami from the similarly nefarious pursuit of drug running. The influx of cocaine from South America could hardly keep up with the hungry US market, and the outlaw innovations that followed were the catalyst to boating’s need for speed. People like Don Aronow and Thunderboat Row on NE 188th Street in Miami pushed boating performance to new heights. It just so happened that some offshore enthusiasts had illicit intentions. Others, like young doctors and lawyers living the South Beach dream, were hooked on the thrill and had the money to pay for it. The influence of tv crime drama Miami Vice didn't hurt, either.

VICE just released a short documentary on Miami's boating scene, and it's a great look inside the current state of offshore powerboating. They take a ride on the Lamborghini inspired Raging Bull, check out a sandbar party, and discuss the past and the present. Right now business is booming, and legends like Larry Goldman at XTreme Powerboats and innovators like Mike Aragon at Full Throttle Marine are not only continuing the tradition for offshore racing's legitimate circuit, they're also testing the waters of what's possible with a powerboat.

Check it out:

#news #culture #thunderboatrow

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MIAMI VICE Scarab Offshore Power Boat

Monogram | no. 3104 | 1:36.

Offshore Power boat

Scarab offshore power boat, miami police department, box contents.

Plastic sprue, Plastic sprue (Clear) , Decalsheet (waterslide)

Product timeline

Instructions

Download 1889Kb (.pdf)

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We don't know about any in-box reviews for this Scarab Offshore Power Boat (#3104) from Monogram.