[JNLeChevet]

Hi:

I am new to Mariah and boating, but bought a nice 260Z (1999) with 350 Magnum MPI. Has been a chore sorting out plumbing and wiring disasters the PO made, but almost there! Installed a closed cooling system and will dunk it in the salt water of South Carolina in a few weeks. I have a few questions I hope some experienced hands can answer:
1. Boat seems real sluggish and difficult to get up on plane. What sort of top end can I expect?
2. I would like to get a trailerable boat cover, but the 260Z seems to be off radar for most suppliers. Is there another model that has the same hull that I can use instead? I don' t understand the terminology here - shabath, etc.

TIA - Jon

[WetWilly]

Ahoy JNLeChevet and welcome to the club!

The brochure states the Z260 MMC's top end to be 38-42MPH / 52-58KPH with the 350ci / 5.7L. She's a heavy mid-cabin style cruiser (6600lbs/2994kg) and although the 350 puts out a lot of horsepower, it doesn't have as much torque as the 454 / 7.L motors do. Can you tell us what your RPM is at full throttle to see if you're propped correctly? Does your Z260 have trim tabs? If not, they can help with the planning.

For you cover, you probably need to go custom as your MCC has the high bow rail and tall freeboard that differs from our openbows and cuddy cabins. Check off season to get estimates for the best prices.

When you can, take some pictures of your Mariah and get them up on our Gallery, here's a tutorial- click here.

Good luck,
WetWilly

[S.L.P.]

JNLeChevet,
You will probably find, as I did, that the Z260 is very tender to trim at speed. The boat will list quickly with a slight change in wind direction or speed or current. And wait till your passengers get up to fetch another cold one from the fridge. Just when you get the trim pretty good, someone decides to move elsewhere.
You cant beat a wide beam and more length.
steve

[sean77atx]

Without the trim tabs down, I think it would take forever to plane off. I have the same setup with the 350 and have to have some trim in the boat at all times. The most I have had on board was 8 and I needed a lot of distance to get planed off. You just have to be patient with these boats. I think my top speed so far is 40.
Also, be prepared to "drive" this boat. It isn't a deal where you set your speed and trim and then enjoy talking and joking around with friends. You will have to get used to it. You can get this boat leaned way over in hurry. I have never driven a boat that reacts the way the Z260 does.
With that said, I love this boat and once you get used to the way it runs, I think you will too.