[Robert B.]

I have owned a '92 1800z for 4 years and love the boat. Looking to upgrade to a 202 or 212 and want to know if anyone can share what differences I should expect between those two sizes? Thanks!

[ShabahZ280]

When in doubt, always get the bigger boat. You might be surprised how much a foot more room gives you! Unless there's a substantial price difference between the two!

[Zackattack]

Originally Posted by ShabahZ250

When in doubt, always get the bigger boat. You might be surprised how much a foot more room gives you! Unless there's a substantial price difference between the two!

Hence the disease, twofootitus....

[DCB_MINDED]

Agreed... if you have enough vehicle to pull it, go with the bigger boat! My friend has a 21' Stingray, and my 238 Shabah literally looks twice as big as his boat.... It's pretty awesome actually!

[garyg]

DCB_MINDED YES BIGGER IS BETTER WE WENT FROM A 22FT CUDDY TO A Z 272 OPEN BOW WITH 7.4 MPI BRAVO 111 AND HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH A BIGGER BOAT.PLENTY OF ROOM FOR EVERYONE GARY G PS LOVE THE OPEN BOW

[Mariah350]

I would go with the 212 for sure. However, be aware that as much as I love my 212z, it is not the best hull for rough water running. I have to pick good water "slight to medium chop" for WOT operation which can get a little tough.

If you stand in front of the 212 look from the very bottom of the V and notice that the V angle stays the same up to the rub rail. This leaves a greater part of the hull exposed to the oncoming waves and chop. If you look at a good rough water performance hull you will notice that from the bottom of the V that there is an eventual break "angle change to 90 degrees which continues to the rub rail. This provides less hull area and more wave deflection.

This does , however, lighten the bow weight of the 212 due to the low profile of the bow area and makes the 212 faster than most boats of its length with the same power.

I have owned my Mariah 212z since 1995 so my love for the boat is obvious but there could have been a better rough water hull design.

Thanks