[golfballdiver]

Hi everyone!

I am trying to decide whether to buy a used 1998 SHABAH BR 21' this weekend. I was all for it till I started doing some research tonight on the computer and learned that they are out of business now. Should I be concerned? It has Merc Cruiser V8 350 220 hp. All vinyl is 3 years old and has all covers. I was happy to come accross this site. I am attaching pictures. Does anyone know anything about this model and size? Anything I should look for? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Golfballdiver

[WetWilly]

Hi golfballdiver,

Welcome aboard the Mariah Owners Club site!

Yes, it's true the original Mariah Boat Company closed back in 2001 but, that has not stopped many of us from purchasing used Mariah’s, me included.

Mariah's motto was "Built and Equipped Like No Other Boat In The World" and they were right. They built some of the strongest hulls in the business and then outfitted them with options and amenities no other boat manufacture would do for the price. Bottom line, you can't go wrong with a well maintained Mariah!

As an example, you stated the vinyl was recently replaced and like the vinyl, the engine, outdrive, switches, buttons, lights and many other system on your boat are still available and our members have sourced many of these to their original manufactures.

We do have a few members with the same model though I believe in different years and hopfully they will chime in in-time and let you know how they "love" their Shabahs!

From the pictures you've attached, she's in great shape, right down to the trailer, definitely looks like a much newer year boat!

Lastly, I would take a test drive and have a qualified mechanic check the I/O and other major systems and if everything checked out, I wouldn’t hesitate to own this beauty!

Well I hope this helped!

Good luck,
WetWilly

[indykoch]

I couldn't agree more with Willy. I have a '99 Z212 Shabah and love it (read my review in the owner's reviews, or click here if it works http://www.mariahownersclub.com/foru...hread.php?t=99

Looks like a great boat. Don't be discouraged by the company's status now. As Willy said, many of the parts are universal (engine, outdrive, etc.) or can be fabricated (covers, vinyl, hardware, etc.). Original Mariahs are incredible boats - top quality, more ammenities than anyone, and have the best designs.

[ShabahZ280]

Welcome to the board Golfballdiver! To make a proper judgment of if the boat would be worth buying, we'll need some more details. Like the amount of engine hours, the asking price, and whether or not it's the Z-Package. The Z series was their top of the line and most well equipped model. It includes things like docking lights, windshield defroster, power hatch lift, and many others.

You mention the vinyl was redone 3 years ago, while this can be a plus, the original vinyl Mariah used was 64oz vinyl where all the competitors were using 24oz. The thickness and weight allowed for a more tough and longlasting vinyl. Seam stitches were done with aerospace quality triple stitching (the same method used by NASA), the vinyl was sealed underneath with plastic to avoid moisture intrusion, and was sealed on the outside with PreFixx, a stain guard, similar to "Scotch Guard" that basically allowed you to wipe any stains free with a diluted solution of acetone and water. The Mariah logo was embroidered into each seat headrest with the same stitching used for the seams. This type of detail goes to show the amount of work put into these boats, and that's just on the seats! If the vinyl was redone to OE specs, you'd be set for the life of the boat! One thing I did notice, the interior color scheme has been changed, as Mariah did not offer an orange and dark red color combination in 1998. However, whoever did the vinyl on both the inside and the decals on the hull did a really nice job of keeping an OEM look!

The boat looks to be in great shape, there's no doubt about it. I would try and take a test drive, or at least have it inspected by a qualified Mercruiser mechanic. If the engine has low hours and checks out fine, and the price is within your budget, I say Go for it!!

Don't be intimidated by the fact Mariah is out of business, and the "new" Mariah doesn't support anything older than 2002. We have compiled so many resources on this site you'll be able to fix almost any issues you might have! That's what we created this site for, to help. There's all kinds of goodies on the site, and even more for contributors, like owner's manuals, brochures, wiring diagrams, service manuals, etc. (Click the donate button for more info.) You'll also find this site has the friendliest and most helpful users around!!

Welcome onboard, and we'll help you out any way we can.

[mikeyt]

hi golfballdiver. Welcome aboard! There is nothing to worry about as far as the original Mariah being out of business. Mariah specific parts can still be found but they are generally items that dont wear out anyway. Mercruiser engines & outdrives are no problem and the switches etc can easily be found. We even have a number of upgrades and improvement ideas here. That 350 V-8 should easily get you into the mid 50's and has plenty of grunt for skiiers and wake-boarders. The pics posted would appear to indicate the boat is a standard Shabah 21' (no docking lights). It looks to be in very good shape which is a testament to how well those older Mariahs were made. A test run on the water is a very good idea and having a boat mechanic (yours!) give it the once over should give you the peace of mind you're looking for if its been as well maintained as it looks.

[Z 202]

^ What they said x eleventy-billion.

If the motor and drive check out OK you should be all over it.

[golfballdiver]

Originally Posted by ShabahZ250

Welcome to the board Golfballdiver! To make a proper judgment of if the boat would be worth buying, we'll need some more details. Like the amount of engine hours, the asking price, and whether or not it's the Z-Package. The Z series was their top of the line and most well equipped model. It includes things like docking lights, windshield defroster, power hatch lift, and many others.

You mention the vinyl was redone 3 years ago, while this can be a plus, the original vinyl Mariah used was 64oz vinyl where all the competitors were using 24oz. The thickness and weight allowed for a more tough and longlasting vinyl. Seam stitches were done with aerospace quality triple stitching (the same method used by NASA), the vinyl was sealed underneath with plastic to avoid moisture intrusion, and was sealed on the outside with PreFixx, a stain guard, similar to "Scotch Guard" that basically allowed you to wipe any stains free with a diluted solution of acetone and water. The Mariah logo was embroidered into each seat headrest with the same stitching used for the seams. This type of detail goes to show the amount of work put into these boats, and that's just on the seats! If the vinyl was redone to OE specs, you'd be set for the life of the boat! One thing I did notice, the interior color scheme has been changed, as Mariah did not offer an orange and dark red color combination in 1998. However, whoever did the vinyl on both the inside and the decals on the hull did a really nice job of keeping an OEM look!

The boat looks to be in great shape, there's no doubt about it. I would try and take a test drive, or at least have it inspected by a qualified Mercruiser mechanic. If the engine has low hours and checks out fine, and the price is within your budget, I say Go for it!!

Don't be intimidated by the fact Mariah is out of business, and the "new" Mariah doesn't support anything older than 2002. We have compiled so many resources on this site you'll be able to fix almost any issues you might have! That's what we created this site for, to help. There's all kinds of goodies on the site, and even more for contributors, like owner's manuals, brochures, wiring diagrams, service manuals, etc. (Click the donate button for more info.) You'll also find this site has the friendliest and most helpful users around!!

Welcome onboard, and we'll help you out any way we can.

WOW!! Thanks to everyone with the quick responses. I learned a lot already from you guys. The hours are about 300 and the price is $13,000.00 . Does it still sound ok asuming that the mechanics all check out with no current problems???

[ShabahZ280]

NADA book value on the standard 210 Shabah Bowrider is showing $10,500 - $11,935 and the Z210 Shabah Bowrider is showing $12,035 - $13,640 with a basic set of options, (bimini, depth finder, trim indicator, stereo w/cassette, fire extinguisher, etc).

If the boat is truly a Z series, $13k might be an OK deal provided the engine checks out good. If it's a standard 210, I'd try and negotiate a lower price.

Do you have any more pics so we can clarify if it's a Z210 or a standard 210? It'll most likely be etched in the port and starboard windows. We can also tell by the dash layout.

[dwmax]

I agree greatly with what everyone said about the boat and i also have a 21 foot mariah its a 2001 z212 and i couldnt be happier with it and as for the parts go you can still get just about everything or still have it made for you

[Z 202]

Originally Posted by ShabahZ250

...It'll most likely be etched in the port and starboard windows.

Actually this isn't a given. My glass is etched with the Z202 logo, but I only found out after some further research that mine is not a true Z model.