[depman160]

Hi all. I am new to this forum and was referred by the Mariah Boats website.

I just purchased a 1992 Mariah 2000Z and am looking for any kind of specs on it I can find.

It has a 5.0 L Mercruiser Alpha 1 engine and an Eagle trailer, but that's about what I know so far.

It's in decent shape and everything is in working order, but other than that, I pretty much just decided to buy a boat and it seemed like the right time!

I know, someone is going to say, why did someone in western Pennsylvania decide that November was the perfect time to buy a boat, but hey, we're a little strange up here!

Anyway, I am most likely going to keep it docked at our marina in the summers, but hope to be able to trailer it around to other locations.

I have a 2004 Jeep Liberty and have no idea if I can tow it comfortably with my Jeep.
I don't have the towing stats on my Jeep, but I can obtain that.
I do need the weight, etc. on the boat to see if it can be towed with my vehicle or if I will need something bigger to haul it.

Anyway, it's nice to be onboard with other Mariah owners and hope to have a lot of fun with my new toy!

Thanks for any and all help!

Patrick

[ShabahZ280]

Welcome to the board Patrick!

Unfortunately we don't have a 1992 brochure, but we have every other year! According to the 1991 brochure, here's the specs on your boat:

Weight: 2850lbs
Length: 20'3"
Beam (width): 96"
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Draft (drive down): 30"
Draft (drive up): 13"
Fuel Tank: 43 Gallons
Top Speed (5.7L): 52-56mph

I'd be willing to make a guess your trailer weighs around 1000lbs or less. Figure in your coast guard equipment, batteries, extras, and remember fuel weighs 6lbs per gallon. Chances are your Liberty will be able to tow it, as I think it's a 5000lbs capacity. Won't be the fastest thing in the world, but it will tow it. Give it a try, and see what you think!

Oh, by the way, I bought my boat in January, from a marina in Baltimore, drove 9 hours to test drive it in the Chesapeake Bay with skim ice, and 31 degree air temps... Believe me, all us Mariah Owners ARE crazy, some of us have even driven across the country to pick up our prized boats. So you're amongst good company! We all understand.

[depman160]

Thanks for the information, I am sure that mine can't be too far off those specs.

I don't plan to tow it often, but would like to try taking it to Erie of Chautauqua, a three-hour trip at most.

Actually, the marina owner I am buying it from, said the boat was partially submerged and he was asked to salvage it. The insurance company totalled the boat, but there was not much wrong with it.

The marina owner bought it from the guy and replaced all the motor parts that were not functioning, so the motor was basically rebuilt this summer.
He said all the gauges and everything work and it runs fine.

A mechanic/dock hand at the marina did some of the basic work on it and told me, independently of the marina owner, that he had the boat in the water and it runs fast and strong.

I doubt the marina owner is going to screw me over, since we've been docking with them for the past 20 plus years, and he's going to end up replacing anything that I find to be unsatisfactory.

My parents own a 1994 Gibson 41-foot houseboat currently, but I finally decided it was time for something smaller, faster and more fun!
I used to have three Yamaha Wave Runners over the past few years, but decided that I needed something more...

I am looking forward to owning my own boat and having some freedom to go where I want!

[Z 202]

Does the Libby have the 3.7L V6 and the towing package? If so, it should be able to manage up to 5K, assuming of course the trailer has brakes.

Welcome to the club!

[depman160]

My Liberty has the 3.7L V6, but currently has no hitch....which is part of my reason for needing details on the boat. I assume a Class 3 hitch is what I need.

I don't believe the trailer has brakes, but not sure....

Hopefully I will be a member of the club for a long time to come!

[Z 202]

Yes, a class III for sure. If you plan on towing over distance an aux. transmission cooler would be a good addition as well. I think the V6 should have 3.73 gears in the back, which will be good for towing. You're not going to win any drag races, but I think the Jeep is more than capable of towing it. Is it a 4WD?

I don't see any brakes on the trailer, which is a big concern. I have a very similar Eagle trailer and in a pinch I've towed it with my Grand Cherokee without the surge breaks working, and you really have to watch it, esp. on a short wheelbase vehicle such as the Jeep. I would look into adding surge brakes to the trailer, if you plan to tow any distance at all. Your state laws may also mandate brakes on trailers over some minimum gross weight.

[depman160]

Yes, the Liberty is 4WD.
I will check into the brake issues with the trailer.

Like I said, I don't plan to haul it often, but would be nice to know I can...maybe that will be the project for the second summer....

[ShabahZ280]

There's no doubt you can haul it. A simple class 3 hitch will do it, they can be installed at most U-haul locations. As long as you're not pulling hundred mile tows through the mountains, I think your 3.7L Libby shouldn't have trouble, however if you plan to haul it significant distances, maybe you should think about upgrading it to be a little more towing friendly. The factory towing package included a transmission cooler, and you can add one of those yourself. Or maybe if you wanted to keep it "in the family", consider upgrading to something like a WJ Grand Cherokee with the 4.7L v8 and the tow package. You can tow up to 6500lbs, and get decent gas mileage when you're not towing. I used my '99 Grand Cherokee to tow everything from my heavily modified 95 YJ Wrangler on a steel flatbed trailer, countless loads of mulch and music equipment, and even my Z250 on short trips and it never gave me any trouble. However about a year ago I traded it for a V10 Excursion. Now I could tow down a house if I needed to.

[Z 202]

Yeah you should be OK. 4WD is probably rated for up to 5K with a Class III hitch. Just make sure you leave yourself plenty of stopping room.

[depman160]

Thanks for the suggestions and comments.
I am going to go crazy waiting until spring to get the chance to get the boat in order and running!!!

I actually had a dream last night that I went the marina, pulled it out of storage and took it for a ride!!! The marina owner was yelling at me because it wasn't de-winterized!

Oh well.....come on spring!!!