Tim-
Welcome to the site.
We have a '95 z240 Talari.
I've been around boats my entire life. I actually stumbled into the boat in 2002. A friend was busted, needed cash and I 'helped' him out. I wrote him a check after looking at the boat in a darkly lit storage facility; one of the best decisions of my life.
It's been a great boat and has required precious little maintenance. I've had to replace a hydraulic lift on the engine cover and am getting ready to replace a leaking Trim tab. (aftermarket) --- we've had the boat five years.
The amenities on the boat compare with anything I've seen - and our boat is twelve years old! Features like the docking lights, stainless drink holders, huge built-in coolers, huge ski compartment, multiple buoy holders in floor, netting in front of the Stern drive to hold a kneeboard, transom shower, air vents on windows, wiper, defroster, electrics seats, fold-down swim ladder, hydraulic engine hatch lifts, anchor locker at bow, air/water temp gauges, faria gauges, programmable computer.
As for the quality of the boat itself I can tell you that our boat looks terrible at the moment - I am embarassed - and people still complement me every time we go out - 'nice boat!.'
Others on the board know better than I do some of the cool nuances of the brand such as I have heard that the hull was designed to allow you to cut in half without sinking.... Based on the performance of the boat and the way it handles I believe it.
The only downside to the Mariah is the difficulty in getting 'factory' service or parts but I can see with this collection of interested parties that will no longer be an issue. Most of what we will have issues with comes from various OEM's such as Faria, Mercury Marine and others.
Good hunting, send us pictures when you find the boat for you!
Only suggestion I would make is see if you can find a unit equipped with the Merc Bravo III outdrive - dual-props and it handles like a dream.
Brent
Mariah education
