[buoy bouncer]

I used to own a maraih Talari years ago. Now I am considering purchasing a 2000 Z252 bow rider with a 7.4 liter Merc and Bravo III. the boat is in great condition but it has 460 hours on it. I've never owner a boat with this many hours.
Does anyone in the forum have any thoughts on a boat with almost 500hours on it? and does this engine/outdrive have any known common problems???

thanks,

[rajjneef]

I wouldn't be scared of 460 hours if the boat is well taken care of. What type of person is the owner? Was it a young guy who probably ran it wide open it's whole life or an older guy who maybe pulled the grandkids tubing with it? Do any maintenance records exist? The main issue with a Bravo III is corrosion if it lived in the water. Look for pitting in the casing at the bottom where the props are. If there is severe pitting it can cause issues as Bravo III casings are pretty much non existent used. If the drive is maintained properly, it is solid. Expect about 50mph out of that combination.

[allz28]

You'll love the bravo III. The twin prop really bites into the water and makes docking so much better.

As far as I know, the 7.4l is a great engine.

I've never worried much about hours. It's more about how someone took care of the boat that matters. Look the bottom over real good. Have the engine checked over. Ask how it was stored every winter. . . etc.

[indykoch]

Agree with the others that it highly depends on previous maintenance. I've also heard to multiply the hours by 100, and that'll give you a basic equivalency to a car in miles. For example, a 500 hour boat is like a 50,000 mile car. And most engines have a life of at least 1000 hours (kind of like that magical 100,000 miles in a car before things start to go wrong). That engine is "bullet proof" if maintained well, I'd have no worries with 460 hours on it.

[buoy bouncer]

WOW!! thats service. Guys, thanks for replying. All good advice. I hope to see the boat this weekend. Talked to the owner for what seemed like hours, He seemed like he took good care of the boat. I'm just concerned about the hours.
hopefully will have a boat soon. (just in time to store it for 6 months. Hah!!!!)

[Brad97]

Don't forget to send some pictures if things work out.

[buoy bouncer]

will do!

[ShabahZ280]

Don't be concerned with the 460 hours. Keep in mind, the boat is going on 13 years old. That means over the last 13 years, the previous owner averaged around 35 hours a year. That's really not bad at all. The 7.4L is a strong block and they'll usually last about 1100-1200 hrs before needing any significant repairs.

The 7.4L with the Bravo III is a great combo, and with a boat that light, you should expect speed numbers in the high 40's to low 50's. You'll love the ease of maneuverability the Bravo III offers. I know I do, especially in my Z280. However, as it was said before, make sure the outdrive is in good shape. Corrosion can be a big issue. If you're going to leave it in the water for any extended amount of time, an easy remedy is to add another Mercathode and daisy chain it to the existing one. This helps reduce galvanic corrosion, and will only set you back about $40 if you buy one on ebay. If you'll be leaving it in the water, keep the zincs in good shape too. But if you're going to trailer it in and out each time, you'll never have anything to worry about.

You can always pay to have the boat surveyed by a professional marine surveyor. They'll literally go over the boat with a fine tooth comb. It'll cost you a few hundred dollars, but it's a professional's opinion, and many people like that piece of mind. You could also pay a reputable marine mechanic to inspect everything. Definitely do a sea trial before signing any paperwork. Take it out on the water for 30-60 minutes and test everything you can. Make sure the engine temp stays around 160-175, make sure there's no alarms, make sure the engine runs good, steering is responsive, etc. If the speedometer doesn't appear to work, don't worry. It's a very common problem, and it can be remedied in about 30 seconds by cleaning out the water pickup hole in the back of the outdrive. Take a pad of paper with you and write down any issues you find, and run them by us before you make the final choice. We'll be glad to help you make the right decision.

You'll find most Mariah owners take extremely good care of their boats, and usually baby them. Good luck!