[Wakebrdr]

Ok, we're looking to buy a new boat very soon. I have always seen/heard of Mariah boats on my home lake but admittedly have never been on one. I have been looking at the Mariah SX21. My wife has seen a new Maxum 1900 SR3 that she likes. I have seen and been in many maxum's over the years an have not been very impressed but these were older models so maybe i have abad opinion. Any advise on these two boats?? Or any others?? Thanks for any help..

[salty87]

what kind/makes of boats have you already owned?
what type of boating? watersports, cruising, family fun...

new boats are easier to shop. go take some test rides and have fun.

[Wakebrdr]

We haven't owned any in the past but both grew up on the water. This will be our first purchase, that's why i need your help. These are both new boats we're looking at, just wondering what everybody thought about the quality of these boats. Thanks.
By the way, we're into watersports.. wake, kneeboarding etc. as well as just cruising with friends..

[lkbum]

If purchasing new, I would not limit my search to only two brands. It's a buyers market. For a small run about, 4 things would be important to me.
1) Snap in Carpet - This allows you to take the carpet out while cleaning the boat. Probably the best upgrade you can make.
2) Walk through transom - Not so sure about the availability on boats of this size, but take a look at the Chaparral 220SSi, this is a little bigger than the boats you are looking at (and more expensive), but having the ability for the kids to "walk in" from the transom is great. My mother could not get into my previous boat (just happened to be a Mariah). She couldn't step into it from the dock, or climb over the sundeck from the swim platform. Now, she very easily steps onto the swim platform and walks in.
3) Company logevity and past - Mariah changed hands in the 90's. This can hurt when trying to resell the boat. A lot of smaller players in the field will not survive the current economic trends. Warranties are worthless if the company is not around.
4) Dealer and service availabilty- Make sure the dealer has been around and/or is in it for the long haul. I've always negotiated a free haul out for service from the dealers I bought from. Frequently, you can negotiaqte a discount on service (or maybe the 20 hour service for free) when buying a new boat.

[jacknbella]

I think another important consideration to your buying decision is the reputation of the dealer and their proximity to your home. Are there Mariah and Maxum dealers close to your home? Are they registered with the BBB? Have you also considered other brands like Larson or Four Winns?

I also read in a previous post that Brunswick (boat builder of Maxums and Bayliners, among others) is essentially out of business across the USA so I would be cautious about purchasing one of their makes.

Best of luck!

[Wakebrdr]

Yeah, i know Mariah previously went out of business and you say Maxum may go out of business so i don't know what we'll do. Seems like a shaky industry, as is everything else right now. There is a local Maxum dealer as well as local(kinda) mariah dealer so that's why these two boats. Also a local FourWinns, Cobalt , Mastercraft dealer too so maybe we'll check that out. I figured they were all too expensive, i know mastercraft is very expensive.. And i had not previously heard of the other two brands(FourWinns, Cobalt). We though about Tahoe because of the price but i've heard they're not so good..

[Wakebrdr]

Thanks for everybodies help.. keep it coming if you know anything else.. It's very helpful...

[jacknbella]

Tahoe's are essentially a Bayliner in disguise. Not to say they aren't probably descent boats though, but I am always skeptical when something is significantly cheaper than other brands. There's a reason they are cheaper though (cheaper materials, cheaper labor, simplified processes, more variability, etc. etc.).

I'm partial to Four Winns because they are in the middle of the road with prices and have a good reputation. Another previous post shared a poll of our piers and Four Winns won hands down over Maxum. I suppose a better poll would be to rate ALL bow riders in a specific length range? Maybe someone should try this???

It's a buyer's market so your choices are endless but this forum will try to help!!!

[tashasdaddy]

have you looked at any deckboats (not pontoons), they give you the same ride and power of a bow rider, but much more usable deck space and storage.

[Wakebrdr]

Yeah, we've looked at them just a few times and i think we'll look a them a little more as we like to entertain as well do watersports. But still have a feeling we'll end up going with a bowrider, maybe just for the look if nothing else.. Something to consider though...

[salty87]

why new boats? your first boat will take more of a pounding as you learn your way. the depreciation on a new boat is frightening.

what sorts of boats have you ridden in?

your list is 2 i/o's yet you'll use the boat for watersports. inboards are better designed for that purpose. they're generally a little more pricey though.

find your local dealers and take some rides.

oh yeah, where are you located? where will you use the boat?

[Wakebrdr]

Located in Alabama and will be using mostly in lakes here in Bama(Logan Martin, Guntersville, Tennesse river/muscle shoals area). Yeah, inboards are likely better i do agree, it's just finding a good deal on them. Probably trying to stay sub $30K.

[Wakebrdr]

Mostly a new boat for the warranty and comfort of being the only owner and not having to worry about the care of the boat prior to you owning it...

[Willyclay]

The Mariah brand (MAB) was acquired by Sea Fox (LYG) on 01/12/05 according to the USCG Manufacturers Identification Code (MIC) database. Mariahs have been built by at least two other manufacturers previously using different MIC's. Sea Fox is owned by the famous Renken family who have been building boats in the Charleston, SC area for over 50 years. Good luck!

[RotaryRacer]

Of the brands mentioned so far I think they would fall pretty much like this:

Tahoe: $

Larson: $$

Mariah, Maxum, Four Winns: $$$

Chaparral: $$$ $/2

Cobalt: $$$$

Mastercraft: $$$$$

Price doesn't always relate to overall quality and workmanship, however, you can expect to see lower grade materials used on the less expensive boats.

I think the Mariah, Maxum, Four Winns, category is a great one to shop in. Four Winns should possibly be bumped up a notch but it seems that if you are in the 18-20' range they are comparable to the others on price.

[Wakebrdr]

Thanks for that.. that's helpful, I'm gonna go look at the Four Winns/Cobalt/mastercraft dealer this afternoon. I always thought Cobalt was not that great, i'm not even terribly sure why i thought that but you seem to think highly of them so i'll check them out... I now i can't afford a mastercraft, plus most of their boats seem to be made for competition or something and i don't think i need quite that much boat..

[NelsonQ]

jacknbella created a evaluation worksheet in his post that may be useful to setup your criteria to help decide what best suits your needs. Might be useful to you as well.

I think he did a great job on it. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=281502

[sickwilly]

Maxum is brunswick like Bayliner. My metaphor would be like in cars -- scion versus toyota, versus lexus (same manufacturer, different levels of fit and finish). Don't get too caught up in the boat brand. Try to really get a feel for the layout, options in your price range, quality of the vinyl, steel, etc. and know two brands will basically have the same merc or volvo power package -- unless you go master craft -- many of them have indmar power trains. For example, the same may my Avalon has the exact same drive train as the lexus, the bayliner and maxum will have the exact same drive train.

For what is worth, I think Stingray makes one hell of a lake boat, great balance of price, hull, and features. Then again, I am biased as I have one.

Lastly, I would seriously consider a factory wakeboard tower given your forum name and mentioning you are into water sports. They will add to the value of the boat and give you lots more room for storage of boards and gear.

[Wakebrdr]

Me being a engineer statistical analysis kinda guy, i like that.. Very in depth and informative.. He's missing some of the boats i'm considering but maybe i could do my own version. Thanks.

[Wakebrdr]

That's definitely a nice boat sickwilly. I will consider them, i've always heard good things about sting ray i will just have to locate a dealer around here. Thanks for the advise, i think it's interesting that when it really comes down to it there are only a few boat makers and some many brands. I will keep that in mind. My wife's grandad and father are the Burns from BurnsCraft who made boats/yachts/houseboats in the 80's and 90's but could survive the economy and were eventually bought out.. I wish i could start it back up, would be fun huh??

[OldePharte]

Cobalt does make a great boat. I have been through the factory several times and their quality is superb with every boat tested in the water before it leaves to the dealer. However, they are costly.

One day I jokingly asked if they ever have a scratch and dent sale. Boy, the look I got could have killed.

[Wakebrdr]

Sounds like a fair question to me ha.. i'd take one if they had it.. I have yet to go check them out so i'm not sure how costly they are but i'll see..

[haskindm]

Look at any boat very objectively. With boat manufacturers being bought and sold the reputation that a boat had last year may mean little or nothing this year.
Look down the side of the boat. Is the matting visible through the gel-coat (not good) or is the gel-coat smooth and glossy (good)? Look in areas that are usually not visible, under the gunwale, in storage compartments, in the bilge. Is it clean and well finished or does it look like the attitude was "if it don't show, it don't matter"? Look at the wiring. Is it neat and well supported or does it look like it was run by a drunken squirrel? Look at the hardware. Is it stainless steel, or chrome plated pot-metal? Even on a fresh water lake it won't take long for it to start corroding. Is there a built-in cooler? If so, where does it drain? Does it drain overboard or does it drain in the bilge where it will need to be pumped overboard by the bilge pump (which can lead to some interesting smells in the boat)? With most boats, you get what you pay for, not always but usually. As you critically compare boats of different price levels you will quickly begin to see where the extra money goes. Then you need to decide at what price level you will be satisfied.

[Wakebrdr]

Very good advice.. All things that should and will be considered... It seems like a full time job picking out a boat.. Never thought about checking out the wiring for neatness and other things but i can see how that would be representative of a quality boat.. Thanks for that haskindm..

[lkbum]

Wakeborder,
You say you are in Alabama, might be worth a drive to Atlanta for the following boat... One of the better deals I've seen in a while.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/boa/845864743.html With ALuminum trailer, fresh water cooling and warranty until 2011. A LOT MORE BOAT than anything you are considering.