1997 z242 advice

cliff717 · 09-17-2010, 03:44 PM

hi as you can see i am new here i signed up so i could do some reasearch before i purchaced a mariah. i was looking for some info on a boat i am looking at. it is a 1997 z242 first off does anyone here own one and do they like it? are there any problems i should look for (areas of known rot ect...) how fast are these boats? any advice would be great.
thanks
cliff

WetWilly · 09-19-2010, 10:56 AM

Hi Cliff and welcome to the club, it's always great to hear from potential Mariah owners

.

Per the brochure, the '97 Z242 Shabah's top-end performance was rated as follows:

With the 5.7L - 46 to 52mph
With the 7.4L - 40 to 56mph
With the 454 MAG - 54 to 60mph

Here's a few more specs from the brochure:

Lenght - 23' 9"
Width - 102"
Weight (dry and with the 5.7L) - about 4100lbs
Fuel Cap. - 76gal

As for for known issues, off the top of my head, I can't think of any, but as with anything used, it depends on how well it was taken care of by previous owners. we always suggest getting professional assistance with checking out any used boat to uncover any potential problems and/or expenses.

Hopefully yours will check out clean and we'll see you back as a "New" Z242 Shabah owner!

WetWilly

MAJIC · 09-20-2010, 01:29 AM

The only problems I've had with our 97 Z252 is that because there is only 1 lift mechanism for the engine hatch, the hinge on that side has pulled out due to stress. I'll have to get creative to fix it. When I do, there's a good chance I'll disable the electronic lift and put in to 2 gas struts. OR I'll be in an assist strut on the port side.

Other than that, this boat is solid! Well made. Only soft spot is by the ski locker, but that I've had 12 people on the boat and no problems.

cliff717 · 09-20-2010, 04:09 AM

well i just got it. awesome boat. i have owned 2 piece of crap bayliners and we just sold our supra wakeboard boat. hopefully this mariah will treat us as well as our supra did. this z242 does have two lift cly's one on each side; maby someone has added one already? boat is in exelent shape only has 150 hours on it. it does need a buffing badly though. and it only came with a camper top. does anyone know where to get a normal trailer top made? can you buy them on-line anywhere or do you need to get them custom made?

***simpleaz*** · 09-20-2010, 04:20 AM

For full boat cover and trailer (sometimes), I just buy a ready-made one from iboats or overtons. They fade so fast in Arizona I just budget about 100 a year so A $200 one last 2 to 3 years.

Custom ones are nice with vents and all but they just don't last me long enough to invest in them. I only really use the full cover for sun protection and storing. When I head to lake, I take it off.

vegaskid · 09-23-2010, 04:30 AM

I have the same problem in vegas. I spent 350 dollars each on two custom covers within a 5 year period and am getting the same performance with the iboat 80.00 cover

cliff717 · 09-23-2010, 04:44 AM

thankfully (or maby un-thankfully) i am in canada and one cover should last me the rest of the life of the boat.i will look at iboats thanks for all the input
thanks
cliff