[jeppsenbr]

I bought a used 2000 z212 a year ago. Great find with only 150hrs. It's got the 7.4 and is really, really clean. However, the problems started within about 2 hours. I'm still committed to the boat and I really, really love it when it runs but it has been a nightmare to keep running.

First the trailer brake line broke and needed to be replaced. $150.

Then the impeller went out in the middle of Bear Lake. 2 hours to get a tow and another $300 gone.

Next a kid kicked the wakeboard into the back and put a hole in the shell. Another $300 gone.

Next dead cell in the battery on the water. Another tow in and $120.

Then the big one. Middle of the lake and the gimble bearing siezed. Destroying the drive shaft and the transom housing. (If anyone has ever tried to find one of those, you have my sympathy.) 7 months, $6000 later I have my boat back.

It runs like a champ now, except the new transom design doesn't allow the OD to lift very high so I'm scared to death that it will drag. Anyway, I am looking for some general information about if I am the only person this has happened to and if there is anything else I should be worried about. I've dropped nearly $7000 into repairs on an 8 year old boat and still only have 160 hours on it. Can't sell it, and I couldn't replace the performance for anywhere near the money even with the repairs.

[bpfirrman]

Sorry to hear your problems, I hope to upgrade someday to a red z212 Shabah. Sounds like just bad luck on some of the items. Impeller should be replaced every 2 years, who knows if the previous owner had done that. As for the trailer problems, fourth time I took my boat out my wheels started making noise, $500 later I replaced my entire brake system. Outdrive problems are usually just the luck of the draw, you never know how the previous owner treated the boat. I have only had my boat 2 months and have dumped over a grand into it but I love the damn thing.

[WetWilly]

Hi jeppsenbr,

Sorry to hear about your troubles.... If it's any consolation, there are a few of us members here in the club with our own after purchase headaches, me included. I can imagine how crazy it would get if you got all of us around a camp fire one night to brag about our battle scars (or worst nightmares) with our boats!

Because many issues can't be seen by the eye, we advise new or soon to be Mariah owners to have the boat and trailer checked by qalified mechanics. I was lucky, and only the trailer caused me a lot of grief, the motor and outdrive I had checked when I got home, I also had to replace the bearing and impeller and later a battery, but this was before she hit the water.

At least now you have a solid powerplant and a great Mariah to go with it and I bet your Shabah runs like a scalded cat with the 7.4L in a 21 footer!

WetWilly

[Straad]

whats that old joke

definition's

Boat
a hole in the water which owners dump money

[300sflyer]

Originally Posted by Straad

whats that old joke

definition's

Boat
a hole in the water which owners dump money

Aint that the truth!...

[Mariah_in_636]

Sorry to hear about all the problems. But on the bright side now that shes running you have a wicked little set up there with that size motor in that boat. WOW.

Also on the bright side, you reminded me that I need to change out the impeller on my boat. Thanks.

I thought the old joke was that the best kind of boat is a friends boat. Maybe is was that I was told that BOAT stands for Bring On Another Thousand.

Good luck

[dwmax]

boat = Break-Out-Another-Thousand or so I have always tought. I guess you can think of it anyway that you wish the sad truth is that it is a money pit. But once you get it up and running as long as it is maintaned on a regular bases you should have many hours and days of fun in the sun. Sorry to hear of all your problems hope you have a good summer from here on out GOOD LUCK

[canadabob]

boat service centers are as happy to see you boat in the off season as you are happy to have no problems in the on season

[brianvander]

Same thing happened to my brother, bought the boat for 8K, replaced the bearing and shaft the following year, then half the electrical, then the motor. 2yrs later and another 6K he has a whole new motor/outdrive, but it runs like a dream now.

But think about it this way, with all the pain (and by that I mean by cash), being out on the water at Bear Lake..... Nearly Heaven on Earth! Glorious setting to boat.