[Firth's Impression]

Hello there fellow Mariah owners. It's been quite some time since I've been on the site. I hibernate over the winter but with the ice starting to melt, I just pulled my Z302 out of storage and started getting things ready for the spring launch later next month. I just bought this my 2001 Mariah Z302 last year and was excited to own a boat that is spec's for 53 - 58mph. For years I had to put up with my Brother-in-law scootin' past me in his Doral 245 Sunquest which does about 51 mph. Unfortunately, my top speed (on the GPS) is about 50.5 mph which means he continues to get by me albeit now just a crawl of about .5mph faster. With the spring coming up, do we have any other Z302 owners out there with the 496 mercruiser/Bravo 3 combo that are getting top speeds higher than 50mph. I have the original brochure for the boat which specs it at 53-58mph. I'm getting 5000rpm at WOT which is the confusing part. I could see if I was unable to hit the spec'd WOT RPM but that doesn't seem to be a problem. I love the boat and it handles like a dream but just need to somehow squeeze a couple more mph's out of her.

Note in my profile picture that the boat rides very level even at top speed and I therefore seem to be pushing a lot of water with my bow down although the drive is trimmed right out to it's limit. Any boat I've owned in the past only has the last few feet of the hull in the water when trimmed out at top speed.

Thoughts/suggestions????

[Oregondunes]

My 302 will do 53 on gps no matter if I have 2 guys or 11 (7 adults and 4 kids). I had 24 p props and have now moved up to 26p props looking for a lil more speed as well.

I also installed a set of smart tabs in hopes of getting up on plane a lil quicker.

How much fuel do you typically carry ? I know that makes a HUGE difference on acceleration in mine. Full tank, she's a tank, 1/2 tank and it's much quicker.

[Oregondunes]

got any more pics of your boat ?

[Firth's Impression]

Thanks Oregon Dunes. Mines the same, it doesn't matter if its just me or me and 10 others, 50.5mph is all I can get. I'm quite sure the props are 26". Does your bow come up out of the water so that you're not pushing so much. I do have more pictures and will post them as soon as I figure out how...

[Oregondunes]

btw.....mine has a 454

I can trim it out so the nose it higher, but there still 20 feet of boat pushing water

[Firth's Impression]

Damn...I've got the 496 8.1L V8 with the Bravo 3. Captain's call Thru Hull and trim tabs to get 'er up quick. I don't even really need the tabs since it kicks right up out of the hole. I only really use them for balancing the load when I have a bunch of people on board. It may be due to the 496 that I really don't have issues with the full tank vs. 1/2 tank of fuel but damn, I want to get it up into the mid 50's.

[Firth's Impression]

I just verified that I have 26" props. Since I'm hitting 5000/51000 rpm at wot, do you think I should try a 28"?

[Oregondunes]

Originally Posted by Firth's Impression

Damn...I've got the 496 8.1L V8 with the Bravo 3. Captain's call Thru Hull and trim tabs to get 'er up quick. I don't even really need the tabs since it kicks right up out of the hole. I only really use them for balancing the load when I have a bunch of people on board. It may be due to the 496 that I really don't have issues with the full tank vs. 1/2 tank of fuel but damn, I want to get it up into the mid 50's.

great looking boat. what is the black ring on the shower door ? you have different grab handles on the swim step then me.

[Firth's Impression]

Thanks. She's definitely a head turner. I love the set up of the 302. I've always wanted one and was lucky to find this 2001 for sale last year. Due to an injury (broken back) the previous owner had it stored away since 2005. I bought it with just 160 hours on it and got it for a steal. Because it ws stored away for so long, it was totally overed in dust, dirt, grim and mould which turned off most potential buyers. After a closer inspection, I determined that underneath all of that dirt was a brand new boat. I bought it, took it home and spent about 20 hrs of cleaning time and a couple grand on new tops, carpets, etc... And voila, an "almost new" Z302.

The black ring is the base of a pedestal mount gas grill.

I did some more research on the prop issue and have determined that I should update my existing 3 blade configured 26 pitch bravo 3 with merc's new 4 blade configured 28 pitch Bravo 3. I've also been looking into the "Signature Four by 4" Bravo 3 replacement by Hill Marine. Albeit a fairly new prop (out since last January) they have a guaranteed satisfaction return policy. The "Signature" prop has four blades on both the front and rear prop unlike the merc with just 4 blades on the front and 3 on the rear. Not sure which route i'm going to take at this time but interested in hearing from any others that might have had some experience with the "Signature" prop by Hill Marine.

[Oregondunes]

I stepped up to the 26 this winter and have not had it in the water yet.

Keep us posted on your prop selections.