Mariah Brand Boat? How are they?

[enginesilo]

So I am shopping around for a boat and see some names I am not familiar with, for instance the brand MARIAH.

What type of reputation do these boats have? I see a few that are 1998 with the 454 engine and look really nice.

Is a Mariah a well respected name? From what I gather they were expensive boats as new. Since have gone out of business though. How do they compare to brands like Sea Ray, Maxum, Four Winns, etc? Or is it more in the class of a Baja or something like that?


Anyone know from experience how the 1998 Shabah was in terms of quality? From pictures online they look like nice boats.

Here is a pic for those who don't know them:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/boa/705096193.html

Is the 454 Mercruiser with the Bravo One drive a decent setup? Other than being a gas guzzler.

 

[12vMan]

Re: Mariah Brand Boat? How are they?

From people I've known that have owned them and seeing them perform I would say they rate close to a Sea Ray. I also went with a freind who was looking at purchasing one and they are well manufactured and have some nice options.

The one in that ad has low hours for the year, and a good power plant also for the size.

I don't know Shabah boats at all.

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Mariah Brand Boat? How are they?

Thanks for the feedback.

The boat is a 1998 and supposedly they were built better in those years than they are now.

Engine is definitely a good size so I am sure this thing would cruise right along.

Guess I should consider it, but also consider it is not very common and if needed a boat part might be hard to come by.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Mariah Brand Boat? How are they?

Top of the line boat..better than searay,baja,regal.These boats were expensive!! well built,well powered, lots of options.
If it was well cared for and the motor & drive check out (marine surveyed) buy it!! taken care of, it will last years!!
Shabah is there ,or was there, best selling boat.

 

[tmh]

Re: Mariah Brand Boat? How are they?

Yeah, i think I read that the Mariah brand was sold a few years ago - basically used the brand name on a lower quality boat to milk a few years out of the well-respected name. Back in 1998 they were building excellent bots, according to owners anyhow.

It's worth it to pay a bit extra for a slightly "over-powered" boat which winds up being properly powered when you have a lot of people on it!

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Mariah Brand Boat? How are they?

The USCG Manufacturers' Identification Code (MIC) database shows four different MIC's for Mariah Boats. You will have to check the HIN to determine who actually built the boat in question. Currently, Mariah boats are built by the famous Renken boat-building family in Moncks Corner, SC. They also build the Sea Fox brand. FYI, there is a brand-specific section at the bottom of the iBoats Forum homepage that includes Mariah. Good luck!

 

[mikeyt]

Re: Mariah Brand Boat? How are they?

Anything built prior to 2001 will be a 'vintage' Mariah and not one of the newer Sea Fox versions. You can confirm what year boat you are looking at by checking the last 2 digits of the VIN# (ie 98 is a 1998 model).
Vintage Mariahs are very good boats if they were looked after and superior to the new versions. The only issue is finding Mariah specific parts (trim pieces etc) which can be difficult at times although becoming a member of the Mariah Owners club (www.mariahownersclub.com) helps in that regard.

Mariah had a number of model names in '98 (Shabah, Talari, Diablo, Jubilee) and the Shabah was their 'bread & butter' line.

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Mariah Brand Boat? How are they?

Wow, so it sounds like you guys like 'em. Another forum of people sort of put it in the negative slip, but I am still considering the boat.

Seems like it was built with quality, and the specific one (Shabah) I am looking at was well maintained. Only issue that I am thinking about is parts on a used boat that may be hard to come by.

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[tmh]

Re: Mariah Brand Boat? How are they?

Only issue that I am thinking about is parts on a used boat that may be hard to come by.

We see this worry here often from 1st time boat buyers buying used. It's NOT a car, remember that. You rarely will find "replacment parts' for a 10 year old boat. The ENGINE parts are all replaceable if it's Merc or VP which is what matters. none of the current manufactures make the same exact boat as even a few years agoe so they have no parts for a 10 year old baot either. Yeah, maybe a mass model like some Bayliners were sold in quantities that you MIGHT find a windshield part or whatever for your used one, but even that is hit and miss.

Just don't break anything and you'll be fine!

 

[BamaAlum97]

Re: Mariah Brand Boat? How are they?

One of my boating friends owns a Mariah...it is a very good boat and he rarely has any issues with it.