[ahughes01]

Hi folks,
I'm a new member to the team having just purchased a 2001 Mariah Z308.

She is a beautiful craft, and in such exceptional condition too!

May I ask fellow members a few questions? I have the 7.4L engine with a SS duo-prop, so can people guide me as to :
1) Estimated max. speed?
2) Estimated best cruise RPM/Speed?
3) Estimated fuel efficiently at cruise?

Then I have a few questions re parts :

4) I appreciate our wonderful craft aren't built anymore, however are there any recommended suppliers of trim, such as instrument gauge bezels, open door latches, and nav. Light lenses?

5) My craft has the Lowrance Globalmap GM2000. Now whilst the grayscale (B&W) GPS/depth sounder meets my needs, if I need to update the GPS, are the Lowrance connectors the same (aka industry standard connectors) for current GPS & depth sounders?


Thanks for any time spent reading my gibberish, and information supplied.

If you respond I'd greatly appreciate CC'ing mail to my business address of… adrian.p.hughes@boeing.com

Thanks for all your time, and see fellow Mariah owners on the waves!
-Adrian

[ShabahZ250]

Welcome to the board! I know the exact boat you just purchased, I was eyeing it myself! So great job picking a beautiful boat!

The 2001 brochure shows the smallest single engine in the Z308 as the 496Mag, however the 2000 brochure shows the 454mag as the smallest single engine. They claim 50-55mph, which I find a hard time believing. The specs on the 496Mag shows speeds of 44-49mph, which even still sounds a little inflated. How about you set the record straight for us once you get your boat out for a test drive?

Usually the best cruising speed is around 3000rpms, the best thing to do is find the point where the boat comes up on plane, and stick right around that area for the most efficiency. You'll find anything above planing speed will burn through your fuel pretty quickly, especially at full throttle. But chances are, you won't be running your boat at full throttle very often. And there's nothing wrong with that!

Concerning parts, all the interior panels, gauge cluster, trim and stainless steel parts were made in-house by Mariah, and no longer exist. So if anything is damaged, your only option is repair, not replacement. For parts, check our Mariah Parts List thread. It has all the aftermarket suppliers Mariah used, part numbers, and links. If you can't find what you need, just ask, we're all here to help. We've got the friendliest bunch of members anywhere.

So congrats on your new boat, and be sure and post some pics, and keep us all updated with your experiences!

[clintonbush1]

Congrats on your boat. I have the same boat, but with twin V6's. As far as the cruising speed, get it on plane and not much more than that. Anymore, you can watch the fuel guage drop.

My lowrance took a turn for the worse last year, so I replaced with a hummingbird set up. It was cheaper than the new Lowrance, so I don't really know if the connections will hook up to a new one.

Any questions, please feel free to ask. I have worked on just about everything on the boat.

Good Luck

[ahughes01]

Thanks Chris, Thanks Clinton,

Great to meet you both, and many thanks for your congratulatory words!


I've posted pics of her as requested, just before she went in the shop for detailing after purchase.

Thanks for both your advice on fuel. I certainly appreciate opening up a 454ci block for speed will chew-up and spit out your wallet real fast. If I get her on the plane then throttle back to 3,000rpm to keep her there, what should I expect for gph/mpg fuel consumption, and what is the efficiency cruise speed? All conditions being equal, I expect 3,000rpm will delivery around 30mph at around 10gph, but please let me know your if those numbers are in the ballpark?

Thanks gents for all your time and advice,
-Adrian

[renaud_gil@yahoo.ca]

We too have a Z308 and top speed is 44. We have twin 2 5liters Volvo. We cruise about 2300 rpm - 25 miles/hr.
Not much for mechanical - just like to ride.