[bikerboater]

I'm looking at a '95 Talari Z220. It appears to have some problems resulting from owner disinterest and neglect. I'd like to find original information on the boat to help me understand what's original equipment and what's been added. As an example, did the original boat have twin engine hatch lifts? (This one does and they've been mechanically detached by the dealer service department.) Also, any common Talari problems I should know about before I write the check?

Bikerboater

[mikeyt]

That hatch is heavy and usually requires two lifts for it to work properly. There are no 'common Talari problems' for these boats but there are common problems for those boats that have been neglected. Here's a STICKY for you to read regarding buying a used Mariah.

[bikerboater]

Mikeyt, Thanks for the info and the sticky. Here's my list of questions for the sales guy (the boat is at a delaership service area. I have the service records and some of the questions relate to narrative in those records.

Why was it recommended the starter, relay and power cable be replaced? Were they ever replaced? (I found no record of replacement)
Why was it recommended the skeg and prop be replaced? Why weren't they?
Need to know if minor gelcoat blistering is 'the pox'?
Need to put the boat in the water and run it and check all switches, tilt, trim, etc.

The service record looks like a track record of owner neglect. The dealer service has the luxury of insisting on minimal level of service if they take a boat on. The boat was winterized each year.

[doaclnr]

Recommended means possibly a lot of $$$... Maybe previous owner couldn't afford or thought dealer was selling him a bill of goods... I would suggest a private survey if you're not familiar with boats or the dealer.

[bikerboater]

I love the boat. I've asked for a chance to take it out on a lake near the service facility. If the answer is humma humma humma, I'll know they're hiding something. If they say 'Yah, sure!', then the ride will be the clincher on the decision. BTW, I currently own an '87 Citation Lazer. It has been over 20 years of fun and not fun.

[jasfiveo]

I have a 1994 Mariah Talari Z220. Had it about seven years now. No major issues. It of course has "problems" every now and then but it is normal wear and tear. Definitely take it on the water and run it balls to the wall. That's what I did. That way you can check for overheating, any cylinder misfires, etc. I have the 7.4 454 motor and it runs like a beast I did have to replace the upper unit (gears) two years ago. If you notice it does not like to shift into forward/reverse smoothly don't let the buyer tell you it just needs the shift cable replaced or tightened. I feel for that and it cost me a small fortune ($2K). Just something to look out for.

[bikerboater]

I didn't buy the boat. It was a great boat that is no longer so due to the owner's mistreatment. The hull needed $12,000 of repair (boat pox) according to the marina. The boat had apparently been left with the stern almost submerged at one time in the last year or so. That explained the electric hatch lifts not working, the hesitance to take it out on a lake, etc. Sad to see a good boat become a parts bin.

[gahooligan]

That sucks, but good call. I can't understand why people want to lie online and over the phone knowing the whole time that you are going to waste a bunch of your time and.money to travel to look at the boat, only to find out in the end that they are a liar and turn around and.drive back home. I can't tell.you how many times this happened to me before I stumbled upon the Mariah...
Why can people just be honest. What ever happened to integrity, character and telling the truth...

Sent from my HTC0P3P7 using Tapatalk

[doaclnr]

That happened to me last year when I was looking for a 302. Drove 5 hrs to look at it knowing it needed an outdrive but when I started it water poured out of the block... I was like wth?! Why didn't you tell me this?! Marina didn't know it had a freeze plug out but knew it needed an outdrive??? Idiots!!!

[bikerboater]

I don't know what the deal was on the condition of the boat. The owner was not in the picture for the sale. It was a salesman, who was playing dumb about the questions I asked. The dealership itself has a great service reputation. I think they were trying to sell the boat in behalf of an owner that wasn't all that truthful about the condition of the boat. They did share the service records, so I think the dealer and the sales guy were on the up and up.

Not many Mariahs up my way. Looking at a Chris-Craft tomorrow.