Welcome to the board JKA-
Have a look through our "Sea Fox - Mariah Talk" section of the forum and read up everything you can. When Mariah went out of business in 2001, Sea Fox Boats purchased the 18-25 ft Mariah molds and began remaking the Mariah brand as a more budget friendly boat. They use a few different manufacturing techniques and materials, and depending who you talk to there's benefits or downsides. We have many members who own them, and enjoy them.
However, I will say there's a slight slant on the board for the original Mariah boats, as the build quality and amenities were a bit nicer. They used to incorporate the slogan "Equipped like no other boat in the world". You'll find the Z-series is the "fancy" one with the most bells & whistles. Don't be fooled by the age of the boat, most people that own the original Mariah boats baby them, because back in the day, they paid a pretty penny for them! It's not unusual to find an old Mariah that looks like it just came off the showroom floor. We're all proud of our boats and we try our best to keep them looking top notch.
My suggestion is to take them both for a water test and see which one you like more. Pay attention to things like the engine hours and the condition of the motor & sterndrive. If one has a larger engine, always consider the larger engine because it never fails, as soon as you get the boat, you'll want to go faster. Mercruiser engines & drives were standard for both, and the Volvo Penta were the optional powerplants.
Feel free to ask us any questions you might have. We're a friendly bunch and here to help! Hope to have you part of the big Mariah family, whether it's with an original Mariah, or a Sea Fox Mariah.
Mariah 2000 model vs Mariah 2006 SX21
