[Dr D]

Looking for some input re; a 2001 Mariah 218Z, Cuddy Cabin that I'm looking at.
5.7 MerCruiser, 250hp, w/ Bravo 1 outdrive.

I know that they're out of production, but have heard that they were very well made.
I'd like to hear from someone who's owned one.
-How does it handle in a very rough chop ? Stability ?
-Integrity of hardware etc
-fuel efficiency etc

**I'm also looking at a Sea Ray 215 Express Cruiser.
(I just sold an older 21' Seville CC) so I know how great the hull & ride is in a Sea Ray, but am curious about how the Mariah might compare ?

I'm somewhat aware of Mariah's hull design quality, & it looks terrific.....a beautiful boat.


Thanks......

[Andy b]

As someone who has owned both a Sea Ray and Mariah I would say hand on heart that the Mariah is a far better boat in just about all respects.
Both boats were 18' bow riders so it would be a fare comparison.

I'm sure a 218 owner will be along shortly to give you the low down on that particular boat, but I will say if you were happy with the Sea Ray then you will be over the moon with a Mariah

P.S.
remember you are asking the Mariah Owners Club

[Andy b]

Originally Posted by Dr D

-How does it handle in a very rough chop ? Stability ?

Just out of curiosity, where are you planning on using it?

[Dr D]

Andy.....Thanks for your reply.

That's the best kind of insight I could hope for. Especially since you've owned both a Sea Ray, and a Mariah.
I do realize that I'm asking the Mariah Owner's club. Just like you've done, I'd hope that any boat lover like yourself would understand and give me some honest, objective info.

I'll mainly be using it on the Hudson River......about 100 miles upstate from the city.
How's yours run in a rough chop ?
The Hudson can get pretty rough at times.....my last outing this year I was in 3 1/2 > 4ft seas. The old Sea Ray was amazingly stable. I'd hope the Mariah would be too.

[mikeyt]

We dont have a lot of 218 owners here on the site but we do have a few members who boat on the Hudson such as "HudsonRiverSteve" so hopefully they will chime in sooner or later.

[Hudson River Steve]

As Andy B stated, you won't be sorry with the quality and ride of a Mariah. I have never owned a Sea Ray but am in a marina in the Hudson with a whole slew of them. They are good boats...no doubt. I run a Z280..so I have considerably more length and weight over a 21ft but my Z280 is the best riding boat I have ever been in. The hardware on the boat is superb.
I am considerably further down state from you...only 20 miles from NYC. For years I ran an old Mark Twain 21 ft bow rider in the "confused chop" of the mighty Hudson. You are correct...it is a tough river to boat...particularly when there is a lot of traffic i.e. wakes which reflect off the banks and form constructive interference waves. You can be cruising along in 1 footers and all of a sudden hit a 3 footer or worse...particularly if a large ship has passed by recently. I no longer lose fillings in my teeth due to the ride, added length and weight of my Z280.
As far as fuel efficiency goes...this is boating...what is that? Seriously...fuel efficiency is a function of your right arm and how much weight you are trying to keep on a plane.

[Andy b]

Originally Posted by Dr D

I'll mainly be using it on the Hudson River......about 100 miles upstate from the city.
How's yours run in a rough chop ?
The Hudson can get pretty rough at times.....my last outing this year I was in 3 1/2 > 4ft seas. The old Sea Ray was amazingly stable. I'd hope the Mariah would be too.

Sound like very similar conditions to where I am...
I run in the Solent on the south coast of the UK and it can get quite choppy/rough here too.

Here's a Video taken from the back of my boat on a damp and grey September afternoon!
(remember I've only got an 18' bow rider )

I also have to contend with some serious traffic at times....
At no point have I ever run out of confidence in my boat!

[domraga]

I think I'm one of the few 218 owners on the forum, mine is a 2001, but not a z. I recently upgraded from the 5.0l Volvo to a 5.7l and I'm glad I did. I bought mine in 2008 and I wouldn't change it for anything (except a Z302). Handling is great, it was the best fitted out 21-22ft boat I could find and I preferred it to the 215 searay. My only critisim of most Marias is that there was no walk through onto the aft platform. This means standing on the seats which over time could result in damage. The only other problem is that there was no extended swim platform option, but swimplatforms.com can solve this for you if you have a spare $1000. Overall, I don't think you will be disappointed with the 218, for me, I still can't see anything I would rather have.