258 or 238 Mariah, need some suggestions!

[chad99_2002]

258 or 238 Mariah Shabah? Opinions on them please! I'm currently looking at two boats a 2000 258 and a 2000 238 both are Mariah Shabah's, I'm can't really decide which way to go any help will be appreciated, thanks Some facts on each:258 is a 7.4 mpi, bravo III, 220hrs.,238 is a 5.7 f.I., with a alpha I,404hrs. The 238 weighs 3950lb (dry weight I'm assuming) and the 258 4200lb (dry weight), will the 238 be very much better on fuel than the 258, I'll be cruising around 30mph or so, does any one think that the 238 will be under powered for a boat that weighs 4000lbs, part of me wants the 258 , but I don't want to spend all day at the pumps, thanks for any suggestions

 

[keep'rwet]

I have a 2000 Mariah Jubilee z244 and it, has the 5.7 with a bravo 3 and it weighs 4700# dry and it has all kinds of power and it has right at 200 hrs on her, so no issue here with lack of power she will run low 50's no problem, fast enough for me on water lol good luck with your choice sounds like you have your mind made up

 

[chad99_2002]

Not yet, but I appreciate the information, thanks

 

[LippCJ7]

If all things are equal, condition and care, go with the 258.

The 258 will get out of the water faster, pull skiers/inflatables/wakeboarders up faster, be more efficient and have much more storage space and capacity then the 238.

The 7.4L MPI backed up with a Bravo III is the better setup out of both these boats and you will be happier in the end with the bigger boat overall. The fuel is probably a draw but I would bet the 7.4 with the Bravo III actually does better then the 238 with the smaller motor and Alpha outdrive.

If you were interested in top speed I would probably go the other way though, the Alpha will do better on top, but on the bottom the Bravo III will jump out of the water while the Alpha is still trying to bite.

 

[chad99_2002]

Not really interested in top speed this will mainly be a family boat, I might open it up once in a while, it will mainly cruise and pull a tube, the 258 is in a little better condition, but the 238 is about $2500 cheaper, I know neither is going to be a fuel saver, but I just didn't know if they were going to a long ways apart on fuel consumption, I appreciate the information, Thanks

 

[LippCJ7]

Then I would go bigger, I think overall it will make you happier if for nothing else the outdrive, but overall the storage, the capacity, the extra torque of the big block, $2500 more is cheap.

Post some pics so we can all enjoy it, I almost went with Mariah I really like their lines.

 

[chad99_2002]

And particular reason why the bravo is better, I've always owned outboard motors this is my first in board

 

[keep'rwet]

the bravo 3 is suppose to handle better at low speeds like backing out of a slip or away from a dock, faster out of the hole and when you turn the steering doesn't fight back on you

 

[chad99_2002]

the bravo 3 is suppose to handle better at low speeds like backing out of a slip or away from a dock, faster out of the hole and when you turn the steering doesn't fight back on you

Thanks for the information

 

[LippCJ7]

The Bravo III is a two prop outdrive, the first prop pushes the water towards the second prop right behind it which can then push the water harder, what you get is sort of like a turbo charger effect if you understand the analogy, anyway the two props work together rotating counter of each other to maximize the bite your outdrive gets on the water that is available, you can still cavitate or blow out the water but it is much easier to blow out with a single screw outdrive, so what you get with a Bravo III and I should add the Volvo Duo Prop(same idea as the Bravo III) is maximum bite on the water at slower speeds, the caveat to this is that typically the Bravo III is unable to handle higher horsepower motors and is less efficient at higher speeds due to increased drag.

This is why I say the Bravo III will pull a ton out of the hole, it is the premium outdrive for larger boats like the 258 for this very reason, you are getting very close in boat size to where twin motors is the norm.

 

[lakegeorge]

220 hrs vs 1,404 hrs I don't think that would be a hard decision.

 

[chad99_2002]

220 hrs vs 1,404 hrs I don't think that would be a hard decision.

Alpha I, 404hrs hrs not 1,404hrs

 

[LippCJ7]

, thanks Some facts on each:258 is a 7.4 mpi, bravo III, 220hrs.,238 is a 5.7 f.I., with a alpha I,404hrs.

220 hrs vs 1,404 hrs I don't think that would be a hard decision.

Its an Alpha I with 404 hours not an Alpha with 1,404 hours

 

[chad99_2002]

The Bravo III is a two prop outdrive, the first prop pushes the water towards the second prop right behind it which can then push the water harder, what you get is sort of like a turbo charger effect if you understand the analogy, anyway the two props work together rotating counter of each other to maximize the bite your outdrive gets on the water that is available, you can still cavitate or blow out the water but it is much easier to blow out with a single screw outdrive, so what you get with a Bravo III and I should add the Volvo Duo Prop(same idea as the Bravo III) is maximum bite on the water at slower speeds, the caveat to this is that typically the Bravo III is unable to handle higher horsepower motors and is less efficient at higher speeds due to increased drag. This is why I say the Bravo III will pull a ton out of the hole, it is the premium outdrive for larger boats like the 258 for this very reason, you are getting very close in boat size to where twin motors is the norm.

Thanks

 

[LippCJ7]

Good Luck Chad!

 

[chad99_2002]

Ended up buying the 258!

 

[LippCJ7]

I'm not surprised, I think you got the better boat for your future, Great looking boat, Congratulations!!