[gearhead1956]

My wife and I are looking for a Mariah Z275st or a 302

Boat must be nice!!! or priced so I can make it VERY NICE !!

We just drove 1100 miles to pick up a Z275st in Ill. and came back with out it.

I know boats !!! check my thread, last entry (WOW CAN'T BELEIVE THIS) I'm not an ass, but just don't want to waste more time and money. Just know what you have, be honest. priced right, and we can make a deal

Thanks
SPLASHNDASH

[Boatcrazy]

I can tell you first hand it all depends on how much of the work you can do yourself and what kind of deal you can get on the boat. I bought my Z302 for a sweet deal knowing I was going to put a new motor in her and spend alot of time on bringing it back to almost new condition. I would say if the boat is pristine and you can get it for true market value then get it but if you are the kind of person that likes to tinker then find a deal on a project and then turn her into what you would buy if it was new.

[gearhead1956]

Originally Posted by Boatcrazy

I can tell you first hand it all depends on how much of the work you can do yourself and what kind of deal you can get on the boat. I bought my Z302 for a sweet deal knowing I was going to put a new motor in her and spend alot of time on bringing it back to almost new condition. I would say if the boat is pristine and you can get it for true market value then get it but if you are the kind of person that likes to tinker then find a deal on a project and then turn her into what you would buy if it was new.

Thanks,Your correct there. I can do most anything on a boat. I have a large shop and tools, But I would rather buy a nice boat then a fixer upper. These boats are in limited supply. so I may have to go that way. Both boat we have looked at the owners wanted top nada for boat and top nada for trailer. Both boats needed $5,000-6,000 spent on them to make them nice. I will keep what I have first. The boat we looked at in Ill. could be a very nice boat. But with me doing all the work I think I would spend $6,000 to make it nice. I offered $20,000, owner thinks it worth $27,000.

Thanks
SPLASHNDASH

[Boatcrazy]

One of our own

http://www.mariahownersclub.com/foru...ats-worth.html

[Oregondunes]

Originally Posted by gearhead1956

My wife and I are looking for a Mariah Z275st or a 302

Boat must be nice!!! or priced so I can make it VERY NICE !!

We just drove 1100 miles to pick up a Z275st in Ill. and came back with out it.

I know boats !!! check my thread, last entry (WOW CAN'T BELEIVE THIS) I'm not an ass, but just don't want to waste more time and money. Just know what you have, be honest. priced right, and we can make a deal

Thanks
SPLASHNDASH

how critical is authenticity to you ? just pointing out a boat like mine.

Ive replaced the electric telescopic antenna (that often breaks) with a powered (amplified) shark fin style and Ive added speakers to the swim step area.



Ive removed the rear seat head rests. To me they were in the way and make it hard for shorter peps to enter and exit the boat. I like the cleaner look and now I have more sundeck room for the misses. ive also installed two 12" subs. they kinda stick out some now.



Ive replaced most of the upholstery with plane white and gotten rid of the inlaid strips. on bare sunburned legs the stitching can scratch.

Ive removed the factory graphics. They were old and kinda beat up, plus I like the look of a clean sheet of paper.



ours has a fridge where the TV used to be. the previous owner did this and it's used much more then a TV would ever be used by us.



Ive had made and installed snap in carpets through out including the rear swim step







Ive added a outdrive cooling shower



Ive installed smart tabs



Ive installed speakers in the main cabin where none were before



Are these things that added value to you or are you looking for one that is truly in showroom condition that is all original ???

[woodward33]

Damn You, Oregondunes!

JUST when I think I have my Z302 where I want it with everything that I want on it -- you have to post this! What a gorgeous boat. Very cool ideas all over. Really, really like the fridge. You've given me way too ideas. Have you noticed much of a difference with the outdrive cooler?

[csterner]

I am also interested in this out drive cooler. Honestly, I have not seen one before. What does it do?

Also, I like your throttle controls! I wish my Z275 controls were mounted on a flat surface like that so I could change them!

[Oregondunes]

they make a single tube pickup cooler, but figured if one worked, two would work better.

what I did notice is the drive grease color at the end of the season. the first year is was black. last year is was still translucent somewhat.

the other thing that I noticed was the white residue film that the outdrive had (was told it was from overheating). I cleaned it all off and polished up the outdrive and no more white film.

to me its like insurance. the cooler is like $300 and if it prevents failure or extends the life of the bearings and such for 3+ years, Im money ahead.

[schevel]

Not to get off your subject, but what a beautiful boat Oregon! I can truely see the differences between my sea fox Mariah and your origninal Mariah. Makes me want to trade my boat.

[Oregondunes]

Originally Posted by csterner

I am also interested in this out drive cooler. Honestly, I have not seen one before. What does it do?

At speed, the upper half of the drive is out of the water. if you do any long distance running, the gears and lube are not cooled by the water it sits in at rest.

This unit picks up water and distributes it across the top of the drive like a shower.

Flow photos of the Rex Marine It's Cool Drive Shower: Automotive Performance Products, Boat & Marine Parts & Hardware