z300 owner
 

I just purchased this Z300 this past weekend in Los Angeles. It needs some serious TLC to make it perfect, but the wife says I have $10k max to spend. Oh how much fun this is going to be.

Mine has the 7.4 MPI / Bravo 3 setup. Whats the best bang for the buck to increase it's power output (besides removal and replacement with a blown 502 and Bravo 1) ?

This boat is going to get a full make over (inside and out). Ill keep updating the pics as I go.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-...2/IMG_0216.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-...2/IMG_0217.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-...2/IMG_0218.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-...2/IMG_0221.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-...2/IMG_0237.jpg

Re: z300 owner
 

That's a great looking boat!

Just for the record though, that's a Z302, not a Z300 MCC. The Z300 doesn't have the bowrider section in the front.

Re: z300 owner
 

im figuring that out. after cleaning it up yesterday for over 6 hours I found the owners manual and original sales brochures.

Re: z300 owner
 

That is a beautiful boat!!:wink_thumbup:

Re: z300 owner
 

thank you

Re: z300 owner
 

has anyone ever made one of these top 70 mph ?

If not, I will be the first. Im thinking (Pro Charger) blower/intercooler (5 lbs of boost), roller cam/rockers, CMI headers (captains call) and thru hull tips. Just dont know if the Bravo 3 will hold it back and I should switch to a Bravo 1 instead.

Re: z300 owner
 

I hope you are going to replace the 7.4mpi as I have heard supercharging it is a perfect way to ends it's life. I have done quite a bit of research and if you want to reach that kind of speed in your Mariah you will (should) start with a good foundation such as a 502 block and built it with tried and true components and then add boost to it. Over the summer I had my 502 built up to a 509 and used JE/SRP pistons, Clevite bearings, ISKY cam and roller rockers and replaced almost anything that you could think of with hopes to be in the mid 60's. I still have a bit to go before my boat is complete but if you have any questions feel free to ask as I am in the process of totally rebuilding my Z302 unlike anything that came from the factory.

Re: z300 owner
 

Nice boat! But do you think your wife will let me have $10k to fix up my boat too? :rolling_laugh:

Re: z300 owner
 

Hopefully one day I can come across a good deal on one of these. You are going to have a very hard time getting a single engine to push this boat to 70mph.

Re: z300 owner
 

I very interested in hearing about your plans to push your Z to max speed.

What drive do you plan to use ?

K planes ?

NA or blown ?

Exhaust ?

Re: z300 owner
 

I learned today that the guy I bought the boat from, just picked it up at auction for $13,200.00. I think I got a great deal, he made off good in only 5 days.

Re: z300 owner
 

Youd be surprised with 550-650 hp will do in a 30' boat if setup right. Maybe not 70+, but high 60's none the less.

I just got rid of a 28' sleekcraft open bow/mid cuddy that did 72 on gps with no planes. 650hp Teague 475cu tall block / Bravo 1................ All motor.

My buds 30' conquest (Open bow/Mid cuddy) with a pro-charged bull dog HP500 (2lbs of boost) will pull 68 with 6 guys in it. 10 miles across the lake and your down 20 gallons of fuel though.

My brother in laws 28' Donzi ZX with a 8.1 Mag, bravo 1 and long planes will do 74 with 4 guys in it.

Im gonna put a plan together and what ever it ends up, thats what it will do. If Im not happy, Ill sell it and build something else that will.

I like building/rebuilding boats.....as much fun as driving them.

Re: z300 owner
 

I'd just be a little cautious. A hull is designed to support up to a certain speed and HP rating. The maximum HP the Z302 hull is rated to is 490. Anything above that, and the boat will start slowly destroying itself.

These are awesome boats, but they aren't speed demons because they're built heavy and for luxury. Take a close look at the hull of the Mariah and compare it to a Baja, Fountain, Cigarette, Scarab, Donzi, etc. You'll see quite a difference. Those are performance hulls, the Mariah is not. It's only meant to hit a top speed in the low 60's. The interior isn't built sturdy enough to handle those speeds either, everything will need to be reinforced.

I'm with Boatcrazy, I've looked into it too, and I've heard nothing but negatives about the 7.4L MPI Procharger Kit. The motor internals aren't up to it. If you want to read some more info about that, hit offshoreonly.com

You've got a beautiful boat, and it's definitely the envy of many on the board here. Unfortunately it's just not a speedboat, it's probably not capable of the speeds you're looking for. If you've got the "Need for Speed", you might not be satisfied with this boat. Otherwise, I'd just be happy with the boat you've got, and just keep the max speed where it is... Take some of the $10k your wife is allowing you, invest it in a good stereo, a flat panel TV for the cabin, some good cleaning supplies, and save the rest for dockage, fuel for boat & tow vehicle, and enjoy all the time you have on it. :wink_thumbup:

Re: z300 owner
 

WoW! $13,200? Where do I sign up? Keep us updated on your progress.

Re: z300 owner
 

Very nice! Congrats on the purchase.

Boatcrazy is going to be you best resource for big boat go-fast information on these boards, as far as I know. That's who came to mind when you mentioned speed.

Here's his build and rebuild threads for some merit:
http://www.mariahownersclub.com/foru...1999-z302.html
http://www.mariahownersclub.com/foru...094-again.html

Re: z300 owner
 

does anyone have any detailed pics of the engine compartment of the z302 ? where does the inverter mount ?

Re: z300 owner
 

Did you have a look thru our Gallery of photos? There are a number of Z302 pics there.

Re: z300 owner
 

I have tons of pictures of the Z302/Z300 on my HDD at home and will look for any showing where someone has mounted an inverter. I would think you could mount it in the engine compartment up on the backside of the bench seat or even possibly up under the microwave area as there is a lot of room in there and access is easy if you remove the sink.

I have pretty much taken apart all of my Z302 during my rebuild and have even unscrewed the hull from the top deck so I can properly bond and seal the two together with 3M 5200. If there is an area that could be modified I pretty much am doing it during the process.

Pictures will be updated soon on my "At it again" post on what I have done up to this date and I am pretty happy with the outcome. The new dash looks amazing and the interior is about 95% done with lots of new redesign improvements made to the original design.

Re: z300 owner
 

I like your new boat!

As a matter of interest what speed do you get from her as is?

Re: z300 owner
 

The speedo is malfunctioning right now and won't go above 30. I've only had it out the initial test 30 minute ride and the 2 hr ride on lake Shasta on our way home from LA. Yesterday was the first real ride. None of us brought a gps phone that displays speed.

Re: z300 owner
 

If you have an iPhone you can download an app called Dashboard (for free) which will give you a speed reading in Kts or mph.

The reason I ask is that my Z275 is only up to a "disappointing" 42mph with the 7.4Gi motor, I really expected mid-50's.

Re: z300 owner
 

Great program. Thx

Re: z300 owner
 

So I just spent all last night reading thru both binders (manuals) that came with the boat, but I dont have any info on the Mercury Quicksilver Keyless engine start.

Can someone help me here ?

Ive read elsewhere that if the batteries have been disconnected, the unit defaults to the factory pass code. Does anyone know what that code is ?

How about changing it and setting my own personal code ? How do you do that ?

Then once youve done that, how do you start and stop the motor ?

Re: z300 owner
 

Definately a kick *ss boat you have. Very nice....hope to see ya out on the Willamette or Columbia??? Where do you plan on running it?

Re: z300 owner
 

We usually put in at Willamette Park and run the downtown area. Wednesday we ran all the way to St. Helens and back up the slough. What a day it was.

My brother in law has his Donzi moored at the Waverly on a lift in the covered section. Typically we hook up with him when were out.

I keep the boat at my shop out near the Aurora airport. With our old lil boat (20' barefooter) we would race up and down the upper - upper Willamette. Willamette City (West Linn) to Newberg and beyond. Calmer waters and lil wind.

How about you ? Where do you boat ?

Re: z300 owner
 

I just recently...about 2 months ago purchased my first Mariah boat. Got a Z225 Davanti and I absolutely love it. Been fixing little things but overall....and loving every minute of it. Just not likeing the thought of having to winterize it already.
We have a little cabin up in Campers Hideaway in Amboy Wa so the boat spent its time on Lake Merwin the whole time so far. Have not put in on the Willamette yet but am looking forward to getting together with other fellow boaters and having fun. Keep me in mind. I can PM you some info....would love to check out your new toy...looks gorgeous.....now I want one hahahahaha.