[dschrader]

Looking to buy my first Mariah. What is the value of a 1997 Shabah 198? Attached are some pictures.

[dschrader]

Here are the pictures.

[baholtz]

Need more info....condition of the interior, motor, hours, general care overview, location.

All of these would help nail it down.

[dschrader]

Here is what the seller says:

1997 Mariah Shabah 198* Will trade for a pontoon or deck boat. This boat is in immaculate condition. It's perfect and everything works on it. There is zero wood in this boat. It is all fiberglass. Even under the seats and cushions. It's a very deep boat and cuts through waves perfectly. Tons of room and storage all over this boat. I've owned it 4 summers and I have had no problems at all! It has the 4.3 v-6 with the cobra out drive. The best motor out drive combo ever made. It has a stainless steel prop. The trailer has 2 brand new tires on it and has surge brakes for easy stopping. I promise you will not find a nicer boat!

He is asking $11,900 and I think it is high.

[baholtz]

NADA guides says $7,000 tops. But if it's in as great of shape as he claims it's probably worth more. I saw a 210 in Colorado with the larger motor and a wakeboard tower listed at $12,500. Had less than 300 hours on it.

It's a judgement call. You could always hire a surveyor, but might not be readily available in your area. I would think a 18 year old boat could fetch his asking price but only if the interior and everything else is in immaculate shape. I know that we take great care of our 98, but she's starting to show her age, specifically in the upholstery. If there is some work to be done I would expect to see that boat for $10,000-10,500.

Just my $0.02....

In the end you're owning a Mariah, which is a great boat. As long as someone took care of it, and you do too then it's a solid investment.

[dschrader]

Thanks for the help. I will be looking it over this weekend.

[CHICKS75]

The "zero" wood on the boat is a false statement, there is about 20% wood. bench seat, sun-pad, all vinyl pads on inside.
Cobra out-drive... i have a different opinion.

[mikeyt]

Originally Posted by CHICKS75

The "zero" wood on the boat is a false statement, there is about 20% wood. bench seat, sun-pad, all vinyl pads on inside.
Cobra out-drive... i have a different opinion.

That's true for 1997 boats but they also still used wood encapsulated with fibreglass stringers at that time. In 1998 Mariah switched over from using the "time tested Douglas Fir, XL grade CCA treated wood stringer system" to a skeletal system that was molded to the hull and filled with foam in most of, but not all of, their models. In theory this was to reduce some weight, improve drainage into the bilge area and eliminate stringer rot. They do acknowledge still using the Douglas fir in some of their components including the transom.

[baholtz]

Mikeyt, not to hijack this thread but would my 98 202 have been wood stringers or molded hull?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Musicman_L7]

I purchased a 96 Shabah 190 with a Mercruiser 4.3 LX Alpha One combo this March. Same color combo as the one you're looking at. 243 hours on the clock and in solid condition but needing some love. The bow interior is good, but the rear bench has light cracking on the vinyl. No exposed foam, but certainly nearing the end of its good-looking life. The factory full cover and top were included, I added bow/cockpit covers later. Mostly needed a good cleaning, battery and a prop. I paid $5300 for the boat and trailer in SW Missouri.

I would suggest to shop around some... There are deals to be had. So far, I have right around $7k in mine but that includes a brand new snap on Sunbrella cover set, and some small upgrades (stereo and preventative maintenance).