[Bosgarage57]

Hello everyone, I need some assistance. I am looking at a 1994 Mariah Barcehetta. It has the 4.3 Merc with Alpha One. Only has 150 hours on it. Paint/upholstery looks great and owner says floors are in good shape.

Use of boat would be tubing (2-4 people), 2-4 people in boat (not same time as tubing), skiing, and maybe learning how to wakeboard. So at most, 6 people in boat with one behind boat. I'd love to put an adjustable tower on it. Like one of the Ascent ones.

Owner is asking $5k for it, no less. It looks good in pics, I would have to drive an hour or so to get it. do you think this engine will be enough for what I want? We are a boating family, live on the water (lake, so only have water about 5 months out of the year). We already have an older tri-hull with a 70 hp engine and a jet ski. I wouldn't mind adding a jetboat in the future, but like the bowriders for a more family oriented ride. Suggestions/Comments? Things I should look for?

[doaclnr]

Got pics? What model number? Im sure somebody with a 4.3 will talk shop shortly... They are great boats!!!

[mikeyt]

Odd, i just had someone else ask about a '94 Barchetta in this thread..... Anyway here's a link to our STICKY on buying a used Mariah which will tell you what to look for.

I use my Shabah 180 with the 4.3 to pull tubes/wakeboarders and skiiers occasionally and it handles them just fine. The boat needs to be propped for that type of use (i'd recommend a 4 blade 19" or 20" prop) and the addition of Smart Tabs definitely helps get the boat on plane faster. The one downside to Smart Tabs is that they flatten out the wake a bit for boarders. If you are not familiar with Smart Tabs, do a site search here (top right corner of the screen) and you will find lots of threads discussing their benefits.

[Bosgarage57]

Not entirely sure, owner says it is 18' 10" long, and has all seats facing forward (I kinda don't like this im use to the 2 seats facing the rear). I'll attach a photo. Anyone know what the estimated HP on this is, from my research with the alpha one it is ~175 hp. I hope to go look at/purchase this weekend.

[mikeyt]

Its a Barchetta 192. I believe the '94 Mercruiser 4.3LX 2 bbl carb was 175 hp and the 4bbl carb was 185 hp.

Breakdown for mid 90's Mercruiser 4.3's is as follows:

MCM 4.3 L is 155 HP
MCM 4.3 LX 2bbl is 175 HP
MCM 4.3 LX 4bbl is 185 HP

MCM 4.3 LX GEN 2 (2BBL) is 180 hp
MCM 4.3 LX GEN 2 (4 BBL) is 190 hp
MCM 4.3 LX GEN + (2BBL) is 190 HP.
MCM 4.3 LXH GEN + (4BBL) is 205 HP
MCM 262 MAGNUM (EFI) GEN + it would be 205 HP

NOTE that even though an engine may be stamped as VORTEC it wasn't actually a Vortec engine until 1996.
Note #2: The above HP ratings are approximate but relative. There is some confusing & contradictory information published by Mercruiser....

[ckolek]

I have a 2000 z182 with a 4.3. I have a tower and 19p prop. I pull skiers, tubes and wake boarders all day long with 4 to 6 people in the boat with no problems at all


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[Bosgarage57]

Thanks for that info! exactly what I want to hear. I will look into a 4 fin SS prop and possibly some smart/trim tabs. What kind of tower did you go with?

[ckolek]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1403887098.658956.jpg
Big air Ice tower!


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[Tyler10r]

have you gotten the boat? Im also looking at one! however im getting it for 3700 ( but some of the seats need work). and its purple .. but other than that it really looks like a nice boat. we're either picking that one or another bow rider up today we just still haven't decided

[Bosgarage57]

Im going tomorrow to look at it. It looks mint, seats look good, no fading, I'm hoping to talk them down a little bit more but feel ok at 5. Good luck, if u get yours post pics. I plan on putting a 4 fin prop, and smart tabs, tower this winter.