Drove through Benton, IL. yesterday...
 

I was returning from a business trip from Nashville. I've noticed the Mariah Factory off in the distance in the past. Since I was by myself, I decided to take the exit and go check it out.

It was pretty depressing. There was a row of flags poles with no flags. The parking lot was crumbling. Through the fence I could see boat molds scattered about. The sign said Godfrey Marine, Illinois, but there didn't seem to be much going on.

It was sad to see when I think look at the pictures of the factory during it's heyday and 500 people were employed. It makes you realize that nothing lasts forever. I can only imagine the impact of the closure had on this little town.

That's very cool, it is pretty sad to think about it, especially if you see how much work and dedication went into that place... There will be some true "inside" stuff coming soon to the board, and it'll make you really appreciate it. Mariah contributed so much to the community, it is a true shame.

However, located pretty close to Benton is Crownline Boats, and I heard many of the old employees took jobs there when the plant closed.

It is depressing to think about it but we're doing a very good job of keeping the original Mariah memories alive so that they wont be forgotten anytime soon. Our new member "MariahPD" is apparently just the start of an evolution for this board. Sooner or later some of the ex-employees and/or management of the original Mariah were going to find us and become part of the club. This 'inside knowledge' will answer many of the questions that so many of us have asked in the past. Just look at our membership numbers and how sharply they have increased this year. The interest in the Mariah name is still out there! All this & we're not even one year old yet means we are doing something right.... :wink_thumbup:

PaulF: Did you snap any photos of the exterior while you were there ? I would be interested to see what you saw. I tried Google maps to have a birds eye view, but it isn't detailed enough to give you a clear enough picture of it.

Yeah I think we have done pretty good over the "almost" year that this board has been around.

It is comforting to be around others that share the exact same passion for these well built boats of the past.

I know as soon as I read the back of the business card handed to me by my mom saying she found a Mariah boat for sale north of us. I was beside myself for a moment. I think I said something along the lines of ... " are you kidding me.. a MARIAH !??! There is a Mariah boat for sale... lets go look at it now"

Rest is history ;)

I don't have a camera on my phone, but did wish I had a camera that the time.:(

Thanks for sharing Paul. Probably better you didn't have a camera as it would have been that much more depressing for us to look at, heh.

To echo chris's comment, we have a ton of items on Mariah Boats Inc. coming soon that will for sure put you all in awe!

Looks like I may have to finally click on that good 'ol donate button after all :D

Are ya sure yur not part Scots laddie? Is the hand quiverin' when you reach towards the "Donate" button?? :rolling_laugh::rolling_laugh:

Ummm yah ... by blood im a scots ...:D

I was going to smack the button .. as a good faith thing. Just cuz im a nice guy.. and I have freeloaded the page for the last year :)

Hey guys, here is a copy of an e-mail I sent to Chris sometime back to tell him what I seen when I once visited the Mariah plant. It is a shame what it is now.

Chris,

Yes, I got to see Mariah boats going down the line starting with the bottom hull sitting open, to the end where they were being polished. It was very interesting. While cleaning off the scum line of the Talari (I usually do this on the last swim of the day because I’m neurotic that way!). I felt some blisters on the bottom of the boat. When I loaded the boat I looked underneath but couldn’t find any. I then backed down the ramp and floated the boat so it would set on the trailer crocked. I found many blisters on the left side and a few on the right where the boat set on the bunks. I called Mariah and since I lived so close they ask if I would bring the boat for inspection as part of their quality improvement.
When I got to the plant a gentleman in shirt and tie met me and gave me a short tour. The main building room was 150 to 200 feet long and about 75 feet wide. It had two building lanes, each with an overhead hoist on a pair of huge I-beams that ran the length of the building. Each lane contained several boats in increasing stages of build. The boats varied greatly in type and size indicating they didn’t build in groups by size or type. The other room I saw had rolls of carpet and vinyl with machinery at the other end. After the tour they had me back my boat under the hoist at the end of the line. They hooked a line to each of the transom ties and a loop that came down from one side through the bow tie and backup to the hoist. I ask if they were going to lift the boat by only those three points. One of the guys laughed at my nervousness and said this in how they load all the boats and that he lift the entire boat by only one if he wanted. He said they super reinforce those points to lift with. When they lifted a boat 3000+ pound boat 5ft by those three points and it didn’t make a single cracking or popping sound I knew it was a solid boat!
It had 15 to 20 blisters on the left and about 5 on the right. They didn’t make repairs at the plant but had a local guy do their warranty work. I am sure they gave him supplies because the gel coat was perfectly matched. Aside from the gas it didn’t cost me a penny.
I felt this was an indicator of Mariah’s quality and customer service. Look at the dedication we owners have to a boat from a company that is no longer in existence. Imagine how it would be if they were still around!

John W.