[tater]

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

[Zackattack]

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

[rajjneef]

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

[theeasynine]

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.

[ShabahZ280]

Sorry to hear about the accident! Yikes...

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

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!!

[darkcalling]

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.

[Dredd]

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!

[mikeyt]

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

[tater]

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.

[theeasynine]

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.