Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

So my beloved Shaba I have owned for 10 years is being totaled by the insurance company. I was motoring in about 20-30 feet of water on plane at our local lake in south west Denver. The boat violently lurched to the starboard side. I thought I hit a big wave. After that I went to the boat dock and all seemed fine until I pulled it out of the water. on bottom of the port side there is about a 6ft x 12 inch piece if fiberglass missing. It appears I hit something just beneath the surface. The impact point put a hole in the bottom of the boat about 8 inches x 2 inches and an inch deep. If it were not for the weight and the quality of the boat I believe there would of been injuries or the boat would of sunk. And this happened 2 days before I was going to Lake Powell! My buddy loaned me his 19foot Chaparral which has the same motor and outdrive.

So my issue - and I have to act quick for the insurance company. They want to give me $7000 for the boat. Or if I want to keep it they will give me $4000. I have a quote of $6800 (roughly) to repair the boat. My boat has the Alpha 1 outdrive withe the V8. It also has the captain's call exhaust. The boat itself is not perfect ( 5-6 on a scale of 10) so do I - 1. keep it and repair it or 2. keep it and part it out or 3. take the money and run? Do I look at another Mariah or Chaparral?

Opinions appreciated.

Thanks,
Todd

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

I think your only choice is either take the 7K or have them fix it properly. You do not want to go backwards on a boat that you yourself rated a 6 out of 10.

Take the 7 and run(try and squeeze em for more), you can find a 9 out of 10 in that age and size for that price in this years marketplace I think.

Its a great time to buy a boat and next winter will even be better if you can stand the summer without. Hey, you are already getting a vacation on Powell this summer without your boat(very jealous). Shop for a new beauty this winter. Sorry, take the cash and make your life more simple. Parting it out is a good idea, but not going to be fun.

My 2 cents

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

I'd take 7k and run if it were mine for how you described it.

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

I would ask how attached you are to it. If it has great sentimental value then you should have it repaired. But like you said it's below average condition so 7k goes a long way towards a new vessel.

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

Sorry to hear about the accident! Yikes... :eek_animated:

I agree, think of the sentimental attachment. But remember, you can always create new memories and things on a newer nicer boat. :D

I'd think taking the $7k and walking away would be your best choice. Keeping it and parting it out wouldn't give you anywhere near that money, and chances are you might have a hard time selling the parts, since we all know most of the parts are model-specific, so you'd be limited to selling only to 198 Shabah owners. Plus you'd have to store it somewhere too.

As for Mariah vs. Chaparral, well, that decision is purely up to you, they're both nice boats. However when you compare a Z-Series Mariah to a Chaparral, the comparison might lean a little more towards Mariah. Chaparral makes a good product, much nicer than many others, they've been around since the mid-60's, they're one of the largest independent boat builders in the country.

Keep us updated!! :wink_thumbup:

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

Take it and get a better Mariah parting out is profitable but time consuming I do some automotive curbing onthe side up here for a few extra bucks and parting out is slow and full of tire kickers and wasted time the 7k and some serious shopping should net you a nice boat down there especially as stated if you can hold till fall or winter.

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

I'm surprised they are offering 7 before a bunch of haggling, honestly. You might try mentioning that the trailer is worth $1500, or so, but I doubt they are going to go over 7. I would say I would have to take the money and start shopping. If you wanted to upgrade, I think you'd be pretty hard pressed to get 7 out of that boat after it's repaired.
Sorry to hear about the incident. Have fun at Powell and get some pictures to share!

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

Take the $7k and say goodbye to her. Just make sure you get your personal items out before the insurer scraps it.

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

Thanks all. I'm going to take the settlement. I have owned her for 10 years and she has been a good boat. I'm not totally attached to it so the sentimental thing does not play into it. I like the power, I like the captain call exhaust, I like having a boat that you don't see everyone have.

I would like to stay with a Mariah. I have been looking at the Jubilee for one thing. My family has grown and a more roomy boat is would be nice. I don't want anything over 24 feet. That's just to big for Colorado lakes in my opinion.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I want to stick with Mariah/Cobalt/Chaparral class of boat. Budget up-to $13,000.

Lastly, keep an eye out as there will be a 198 Shabah for parts in the Denver area. Not sure where the insurance company will bring it. Great glass, motor and outdrive in great shape, recovered sundeck last year.

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...y/photo3-2.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...mby/photo5.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...mby/photo6.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...mby/photo4.jpg

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

Man those pics are nasty. I would never imagine seeing damage that bad from hitting an object. Looks like you are lucky she didn't go down.

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

Agreed! Wow that is nasty!:eek_animated::shakehead: I think you have decided well, if you have a 13K budget you can get a sweet 21 foot boat that is everything and more than what you are used to I am sure.

Have a great time at Powell. Wish we were all there with you like a huge Mariah convention.

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

Holy Hell, What'd you hit? :eek_animated: That would have to be one incredibly heavy and stationary object to do something like that. I surely can't imagine driftwood or something small doing that. That seems more like an submerged concrete structure or a stationary metal object. Regardless, those pics definitely prove it's a bad accident!

The Jubilee is definitely the roomiest boat Mariah made, if you're going that route, go for the Z244, the biggest one they make. Over time, with the family you'll appreciate the larger size. It might also help with that horrible boater illness called "two-foot-itis" by going to a 5ft larger boat! Buy the biggest boat with the biggest engine you can afford, and make sure it's exactly what you want! Take your time and choose your boat wisely!

Keep us updated!

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

I spoke with the park manager at Chatfield Lake and the only thing he stated was they found a large waterlogged log with a "pointy tip". He stated they also used sonar and found nothing else. I guess I found the "needle in the haystack" . I still don't see how a log could do a puncture like that. Funny thing is that no other boat has hit what I hit. The weekends at this lake are crazy-busy - to a point where it becomes 1 boat off - 1 boat on. How can no other boat hit what I hit? Just blows me away.

By the way just got back from Powell. Had a good time. 2 issues with by friend Chaparral - I busted a prop (just the edges) Ironically on a submerged 1.5 in branch. But I caught this one as it was jammed in the outdrive. One of the winterizing plastic plugs in the engine broke and filled the boat with water. Bilge'd it out borrowed a screwdriver - dug out the plastic piece in the block out and put a new plug in. motored back to the campsite put the new prop on (had and extra) and all is good.

Here is a pic at Powell with my friends boat.

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...mby/photo7.jpg

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

wow I agree lucky she got you back to land fall and I for one from the pics also find it hard to that log must have been petrified to do that kinda damage someone just posted a nic eopen guy is asking 18 but who knows 13 in the hand and done might do it I just got mine for 6500 back of asking price and apparently folks down there need the money worse then up here atleast thats the importers stories.

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

You really have to start using some form of punctuation to make your posts readable.... :)

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

Deep breathing technique ;) Though that was a bad one yikes must have been on the phone same time, or atleast thats the story I am sticking too.

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

Awesome Powell pic, tater. I'm sure those were some stressful moments on that borrowed boat. I have a hard time playing with other's toys. I'm sure it was well worth it though.
That poor Mariah hull. I think you were right about that may having been a much more serious problem in a lesser boat.

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

Holly Hell. Was she taking on water? I can't imagine. I hope they get that log out of there before someone else hits it.

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

unrelated.. but curious. What is the trailer plug on the back of your trailer for? Is the trailer also a 1993? Did they value the trailer and boat together?

Good luck,

Nick

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

Darkcalling - can you clarify what boat you are talking about? "a nic eopen"? just wondering if that's an European boat?:)

nglauer - I use to tow a pop-up camper behind the boat. That is what the electrical plug is for. We now have a Diesel pusher so no need for the plug anymore. They did value the trailer in their decision.

I was only on the water for about 10 minutes from where I think it happened. When I pulled the plug no more water came out then it usually does. Testament to the build quality in my opinion.

...and a final pic of her before she heads to the salvage yard. I took all my personal stuff out. When I drove off it was like I was burying my pet dog! She was around for 10 years - good memories. But on to something bigger and better I guess.

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...iahgoodbye.jpg

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

Well I my short time here I wanted to thank everyone for their opinions and suggestions. I looked high and low for a Mariah and couldn't find the one "I had to have". I decided the deck boat was not the look I wanted. Plus it summer in Colorado and our boating season is limited so I had to find a boat fast.

So today I purchased a 1997 Chris Craft 21' Concept Bowrider. In a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate it a 9. Plus it came with a galvanized Trailor that is only 2 years old. We had it on the lake and it did great!

I'll miss my Mariah but thanks again to all.

Todd

Re: Totaled 1993 Shabah 198
 

Dude, you don't mess around!:rolling_laugh:

Enjoy the Cris Craft, thats a well built boat as well. Thanks for including us in your recent developments. I think most of us will remember the "Mariah that lost half its hull and still brought its cargo in safe" for a while!:wink_thumbup: