new member potential new mariah owner

fl_bill · 05-04-2010, 11:14 PM

Hi folks, new to the boards but figured couldnt be a better place to ask some pre-purchase questions.

My wife and I are looking for a boat and we ran accross a 1995 Barchetta 182 with the 4.3 i/o and250'ish hours. the few posts i have read through the majority seem to be pleased with their mariah boats. My main question is if by chance i needed a "mariah" part is it difficult to find? Obviously the common parts are easily obtained, but is there anything that is hard to come by with the "first gen" boats?

This particular boat appears to have been stored inside when its not in the water. the interior is immaculate the motor runs fantastic and the hull has barely a blemish on it. the asking price is $4500 (firm) but it does not come with a trailer. it does have bow and cockpit covers as well as a bimini. I am not familiar with boat values and never heard of Mariah's before this one so I am not sure if this price is fair or not, any advice would be great. I have included a few pics of the boat too.

Looking forward to your input good and bad, thanks Bill

***mikeyt*** · 05-05-2010, 01:10 AM

Hi Bill

Welcome aboard! The '95 Barchetta looks good in the photos and if it's in as good a condition as you indicate then $4500 is a very fair price.

Never heard of Mariah! Sigh.... Mariah's were equipped 'like no other boat' and are an excellent choice if you like well built, smooth running watercraft. It is difficult to obtain some Mariah parts (trim pieces, original interior components, dash assemblies, glove box doors, windshield glass etc) but that would be expected from any boat over 10yrs old with the exception of possibly a Bayliner (since there are so many of them being junked by that age). Engine/outdrive/electrics/gauges etc are all still easy to find. You wont go wrong with a well maintained original Mariah.

WetWilly · 05-05-2010, 06:40 AM

Ahoy fl_bill and welcome to the club!

Mikey's right, Mariahs are built and equipped like no other and should you have any questions or need any assistance, our members are here to help!

As for parts, Mikey is spot on again, The club has amassed quite a list of parts and their sources and for those hard to get items, our members have come up with creative ways to resolve the issues. Click here to see our member contributed, growing parts list.

Hope to hear about your "new" boat soon (a Mariah of course

),
WetWilly

fl_bill · 05-05-2010, 12:11 PM

thanks for the reply's, i figured i could get some heat from mentioning I never heard of Mariah's, but hey better late then never right..

we'll see though if i can find a trailer and keep it all in my budget maybe I will join the mariah club of owners

Dredd · 05-05-2010, 07:39 PM

That price seems fair to me too. Actually, if it wasn't for the FL that I assume means salt water, I'd say it's a really good price. Look closely at that Mariah's fit and finish, it'll probably make it hard to really consider much else afterwards. Good luck with your decision.

MAJIC · 05-05-2010, 08:32 PM

Welcome to the club! I am a Mariah convert! I had never heard of Mariah and when I went to move from my 19' Monterey I was looking hard for another Monterey as they are a great boat - but NOT as great as the Mariah has been. The hull is fantastic - takes a pretty good chop comfortably, turns quickly (even for the heaviness) and the props hold hard! Very comfortable. I find it easy to maintain to get to most of the parts you usually need to get to. Good luck and good boating!

ggrims · 05-07-2010, 03:02 AM

The first time I saw a Mariah was 13 years ago when I was working at a marina, it was the cadillac of boats... enough said. As for replacing parts, they used mercruiser components and most boat companies use parts from outside companies, they are quite generic. Mariah used nothing but the best,, Fariah gauges and so forth. If you are worring about replacment parts they are plentiful, its not like car companies that have a specific part made by one manfacturer. Everything on the boat can be readily replaced. The quality of the boat is where the name Mariah comes into play..

***mikeyt*** · 05-07-2010, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggrims

The first time I saw a Mariah was 13 years ago when I was working at a marina, it was the cadillac of boats... enough said. As for replacing parts, they used mercruiser components and most boat companies use parts from outside companies, they are quite generic. Mariah used nothing but the best,, Fariah gauges and so forth. If you are worring about replacment parts they are plentiful, its not like car companies that have a specific part made by one manfacturer. Everything on the boat can be readily replaced. The quality of the boat is where the name Mariah comes into play..

Almost everything can be replaced......note my comments below about what cant be.