[drewray867]

One of my local boat dealers has an abandoned Mariah Z220 Talari in his maintnace yard that he has offered to me for some work I did for him. The boat was winterized in Dec 06 and has not moved since. The mechanic that winterized it said it ran great at the time. I think it is a 1994, it is teal and white and has the Mercruser 350 magnum Alpha One engine.It needs some TLC from sitting out in the sun but appears to be in good shape. Would this be worth the $3500 I am owed?

[ShabahZ280]

Can you upload some photos for us to make an accurate judgement? There are many irreplaceable parts on Mariahs, if they're damaged, repairing them will cost a fortune.

Gauges, throttle shifters and engine parts can be easily replaced. Interior vinyl, cushions, carpets, and tops can be custom made by any canvas/upholstery shop. Items like dash panels, seat moldings, trim panels, compartment lids, ladders, windshield supports, and many other parts were made in-house, and are near impossible to replace. Everything must be repaired since the original molds and parts no longer exist.

So, if you can, upload a pic or two, and we'll all chime in if we think it's worth it!

[drewray867]

I will try to get some pics taken and uploaded this week. The only damage I have been able to find on the entire boat is the engine cover lift struts have bulled loose. The interior is all in good shape, just needs a good cleaning. I havent found any damage to the hull, just needs a good buffing.

[Z 202]

Preliminary report sounds good. Hatch struts have been a common issue on several models, but I believe they can be easily sourced. If things check out mechanically, it sounds like a keeper.

Then it's time to break out the magic erasers and the Meguiars.

[indykoch]

I'm guessing there's no title? That could be troublesome. Also, check the floors really well. Something sitting like that for that long could easily have "soft" floors (rotten wood). If the floors and/or stringers and/or foam are rotten or water logged, I'd run away from it and take the cash. Even though it was winterized, there could also be major engine work to take care of. Depends on how you would have spent $3500 in the first place. Taking that boat will end up COSTING you - remember that. Do you really want and plan on buying a boat?

Otherwise, as Z202 said, preliminary report sounds good!

[drewray867]

Thanks for the input, I'll have to check all of it out really well. I had planned on using the money as a down payment on a boat but when this came along I thought it might be a good deal, occasional maintenance is better than a boat payment for the next five years.

I don't really know anything about Mariah's since they don't seem to be very popular here, not like Sea Ray's or Pro Lines.

[mikeyt]

Originally Posted by drewray867

not like Sea Ray's or Pro Lines.

Bayliners are popular too but that doesn't necessarily make them very good boats....

[180diablo]

Originally Posted by mikeyt

Bayliners are popular too but that doesn't necessarily make them very good boats....

x2

[bpfirrman]

I don't think you are going to find a lot of Mariahs anywhere you go. They were more of a high quality boutique brand. I was just out at Grand Lake, OK and only saw one Mariah, and there are hundreds if not thousands of boats on that lake. People in the know are aware of the quality but your average joe schmoe will have no idea. Whenever someone says "I have never heard of a Mariah" they usually get a long winded answer as to why they kick ass, you would think that I was a Mariah salesman.

[Jeffsjet]

Hi,
Just joined this club and was looking through the Z220 section and read your post and recommendations for the other gentleman. I am seriously considering a 1995 Talari Z220, great condition, and 254 original hours, and asking $9900.
But one of my stronger reasons for going the Mariah route was I thought there was no wood under the floor or hull support?