Gentry Turbo Eagle Project Update: New Bulkheads and Transom

Following the installation of a new transom earlier this month, the crew at Team Archer Marine in Costa Mesa, Calif., finished bonding and installing the bulkheads late last week in the famed Gentry Turbo Eagle, the 46-foot Scarab V-bottom built in 1985. And while there is still some final fiberglass work to complete this week, Team Archer Marine’s Dan MacNamara said the boat should be ready for paint in about a week.

The Gentry Turbo Eagle Scarab built is 1985 is receiving a complete restoration at Team Archer Marine in Southern California.

“We had to do a lot of cutting and grinding—this has been a nasty job so far,” said MacNamara, who has a wealth of knowledge on Scarab models thanks to years working alongside Scarab founder Larry Smith. “This boat was built heavy duty. One thing they did when they built the boat was include a removable bulkhead in the cockpit, which made our lives a little easier.”

A closer look at the transom and the bulkhead work in the 46-foot Scarab (click image to enlarge).

MacNamara said he’s been able to locate three Kiekhaefer drives, additional gimbals and various engine components, but that he’s still working on gaining access to some containers stored on a ranch in Northern California with equipment owned by legendary offshore racer Tom Gentry.

“I’m not too worried about the motors yet,” MacNamara said. “We’ve got about four months until we’ll be ready for them.”

At the same time, MacNamara said Team Archer Marine is starting a project on another Scarab, Smokin’ Joe, a 43-footer built in 1993. “We’re going to make it look just like it did when it left the factory 20-plus years ago.”

Speedonthewater.com will continue to provide updates on the Gentry Turbo Eagle restoration project.