Not Just Yet...
 

I do not have a Mariah yet, but wanted some feedback about one I am looking at...1996 Tulari Z240, 454EFI, dual prop mercruiser, 436 hours...interior very nice...exterior a little rough....rub strip torn up, decals & pinstriping dinged up, outdrive had gimbal ring broken last year, but replaced....boat was beached this year in storm at lake tahoe, so some gelcoat damage to bottom....noticed small cracks in gelcoat below windshield on both sides of front bow area.....trailer is old, a bit long, fits rest of boat, but not bow....boat has been winterized for this year....owner asking $10,000

I don't mind a little work, but I sold my wife on being able to spend good family time IN the boat, not working on it....I think I can get the exterior blemishes corrected...without too much time & money....hopefully, can still get Mariah emblems and maybe aftermarket graphics kit.......just concerned a bit about possible internal outdrive damage & possible hull flex problems, as evidenced by gelcoat cracks...

Thx for any feedback you may have & hopefully, will join you as a proud Mariah owner in the future!

Jeff

Hi jeff,

Are you referring to Lake Tahoe California/Nevada?

WetWilly

Have you seen the damage to the gelcoat on the bottom of the hull? If it's small and hasn't actually broken through the fiberglass, you can repair it with a simple epoxy kit. I fixed a couple on my boat earlier this year, and it worked great. Here's a writeup I did.

Hull Repairs with Epoxy

Do you have any pics of the boat we could check out and help evaluate the boat for you? Small stress cracks or spider cracks here and there could be harmless, but anything more could be a concern. The thing you have to keep in mind is, a lot of the parts for these boats were made in-house, and that makes finding a replacement almost impossible. Decals & shield logos can be replaced, but finding the original Gold logos is tough, as there's only a few in existence anymore. SeaFox Mariah sells new silver colored ones. If it needs other decals, PM me.

Owning a Mariah is a great thing, and especially if you've got family to enjoy it with. Putting a little bit of work into it is normal, but too much work sucks. FWIW, I found a 1996 with similar hours, no damage other than a few slight upholstery blemishs on the rear sundeck, for $15,900. here's the link.

Keep us updated on what you find, and if you can post pics, that'd be great, with a good number of us "up for the winter", we're all aching do something boating related! We'll all try and help you figure out if that boat might be right for you. Good luck!

Chri

Thanks for the info...yes, I have seen the bottom....damage not a deep as the goons did to yours, but they are longer, scrape type of marks....probably from when the boat went ashore & wave action worked boat against bottom rocks....

The topside cracks are small, spider type as you describe....I looked elsewhere, didn't see any other locations of concern....

Owner said his mechanic checked the drive shaft & it was ok....I assume he meant using a dial indicator, and runout was ok....

Didn't take pics because likely would dampen what little enthusiasm I have with the better half.....she is great, but I have been a little over the top in trying to find a good first boat that will be a positive experience & not break the bank while we find out longer-term if boating is a family priority....

Jeff