1999 Mariah Shabah 18ft vs 2006 Stingray 185LS

foxyfb54

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Jul 19, 2017
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Hi all, I am new and currently in the process of searching for my first boat. I came across these two boats and wanted to see if anyone can help me and and give me any recommendations. I am going to post both of the descriptions that I got from their advertisements below:

1999 Mariah Shabah 18.2 bowrider inboard/outboard 4.3V6 190hp MerCruiser Alpha 1.
Excellent condition and ready for the water, only 130 hours.
* Custom Eagle trailer w/brakes and new tires.
* Seats 9 people.
* Used in fresh water only.
* AM/FM CD player.
* 2 built-in storage coolers.
* Plenty of storage and extra features.
* Top speed of over 50 mph.
This boat comes with life vests, fire extinguisher, water skies, and everything I have that you would need to take this boat right out into the water is included!

PRICE Asking = $7000
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2006 Stingray 185LS Open Bow
Motor: Mercruiser 4 Cylinder (3.0L), with approximately 270 hours
Outdrive: Mercrusier Alpha One Gen II
Prop: 3 blade stainless steel
Trailer: Aluminum with swing away tongue, LED lighting, aluminum rims, and matching spare tire
Titles: Clean and clear, one for the boat and one for the trailer
Condition: Very good to excellent
Hull: Minor scuffs, couple minor chips in the gel coat, but all typical for age and are from normal use while docking and trailering.
Floor: Solid with no soft spots
Options: Stereo, two bimini tops (one bought last season), **** pit and bow snap on covers
The boat has been well cared for and professionally maintained over the years. All is in good working order. Minor fading on some of the interior pieces but there are no rips or tears on any of the interior components. Interior is very clean and is always covered when not in use. Bimini tops are in nice shape, no fading or tears. Originals owners manuals included.

History

I purchased the boat on January 30, 2015 and have purchased or had the following work performed, with all maintenance work performed professionally. Most purchases and work have receipts as documentation.

? Winter 2015: Purchased a new full winter cover and two stern straps @ approximately $150.00
? 5/4/2015: Commission engine (de-winterize) @ $102.00
? 5/4/2015: Disassembled and cleaned carburetor and replaced water pump impeller @ $467.93
? Spring 2015: Two new marine batteries @ approximately $200.00
? Spring 2015: New stereo and speakers @ approximately $130.00
? 6/19/15: Trailer tire replaced @ $100.38
? 9/2/2015: Trailer tire replaced @ $76.00
? 9/10/2015: LED tail light on trailer @ $29.02
? Summer 2015: Replaced a third trailer tire but do not have a receipt. However, all tires are clearly new. Had three separate tire blowouts during the summer, as the tires must have been dry rotted. $76.00
? Summer 2015: Two new polished diamond plate trailer fenders. No receipt but you can see that both fenders were replaced, which was the result of the tire blowouts. Fenders could have been easily salvaged and kept on the trailer but I am very meticulous with my "stuff" and having fenders that were less than perfect wouldn't work for me. Approximately $120.00
? 10/7/2015: Replaced lower shift cable @ $247.37
? 10/10/2015: Premium engine and outdrive service (all fluids changed, cables greased, and more) @ $462.00
? 3/30/2016: Commission engine (de-winterize) @ $107.00
? 4/5/2016: Replaced thermostat @ $143.90
? 4/20/2016: Replaced outdrive anodes $65.00
? 10/10/2016: Professionally winterized, as I do each winter, which is how the boat currently is stored
? 5/1/17: Commission engine (de-winterize), change engine oil and filter, change lower unit gear oil, installed water/vapor separator (necessary with ethanol fuels) @ $575.32

Previous owner had the following work performed professionally and all is documented with receipts.

? 11/13/2013: Winterized engine, replaced trailer winch strap, replaced trailer wiring harness, replaced all trailer lights with LED lighting @ $874.96
? 3/18/2013: Installed a dual battery setup with switch, tune up, replaced bilge pump, first time bottom paint - black, installed depth finder, installed GPS (I am not including the GPS in the sale of the boat as I plan on using this in my new boat), new bow and cockpit covers @ $2,438.08
? 1/13/2015: Commissioned engine, replaced thermostat, cleaned speedo tube, and winterized engine. This was part of the marina checking the boat over for me, where they commissioned and then re-winterized the engine prior to me purchasing the boat. $290.14

The history I have on the boat is as follows, previous owner lived in Reading, PA and then moved to Delaware in the fall of 2013, which he then had the boat winterized on 11/13/2013 (as noted above). In preparation of the first boating season, owner had the work done in March of 2013 (as noted above), which is when the bottom paint was applied. The boat was only used in the Delaware area for two boating seasons and the underside of the boat remains very clean, as noted in the pictures.


Price Asking: $8,500

[FONT=&quot]Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!!! THANK YOU[/FONT]
 

tpenfield

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Jul 18, 2011
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:welcome:

. . . to iBoats.

Go look at the 1999 Mariah. . . the guy selling the 2006 Sting Ray is a nut job.
 

poconojoe

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
1,966
:welcome:

. . . to iBoats.

Go look at the 1999 Mariah. . . the guy selling the 2006 Sting Ray is a nut job.

Why do you say that guy is a "nut job"? $874.96 for that trailer work seems outrageous, but the rest seems like a lot of details. Details are good but maybe too many details?
IDK, the first one seems a bit high priced for an 18 year old boat.
 

QBhoy

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 10, 2016
Messages
8,348
If the Mariah is mint, I would go for that.
The shabah is a special edition model with good quality trim.
Good to have the 4.3 too. You'll get fed up with the 4 pot drone of the 3.0. And probably be disappointed with performance.
If you plan to use the boat in anything more than a flat calm small lake, avoid the stingray. Back problems will follow.
I'm a big fan of the performance of the stingrays with even modest engines, but clearly not meant for a bit of chop.
All the best.
Ps...my friend had the same model and engine set up as the Mariah...it was surprisingly quick.
 

DCMacGuy

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Joined
Sep 5, 2013
Messages
36
:welcome:

. . . to iBoats.

Go look at the 1999 Mariah. . . the guy selling the 2006 Sting Ray is a nut job.

I'm curious why you say he is a nut job as well? Because of the detail?

I'd go with the Stingray. Their hulls in that size don't need a V6 to get good performance, you'll get good fuel economy (people gripe about the 3.0 droning yet seem to bypass the fact that the 4.3 moans like a cow giving birth... so your choices are angry sewing machine with a snarl versus dying mammal), and Stingray is still around to support and stand behind their product if needed. That Mariah is built prior to the Sea Fox acquisition... good luck if you need manufacturer support or information.
 

foxyfb54

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Jul 19, 2017
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wahlejim

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Jul 23, 2015
Messages
884
I would definitely go with the Mariah 1st (based on condition of course) on this one for the following reason:

It is a 1999. That is before they sold their molds so they were still making quality boats at that time. There were no Mariahs in 2002, and the 2003 or later boats suffered a loss in quality. From 1990-2001, Mariah was attempting to compete with the Cobalts of the world, 2003 and later is when they dropped in quality to compete with Sea Ray and Stingray.

Mariahs of the late 90s had excellent trim and finish pieces, but the biggest reason I would choose them is their hull. They used a full length glass liner on their hulls. No seams, all glass, no rotting wood. They also have a great reputation for not "slapping" the water like other glass hulls. Ironically, if I had a 2006 Mariah and Stingray next to each other, I would consider the stingray first.

This is all just my opinion of course, and others will vary. As mentioned before, it all is based on the condition of the boat.
 

briangcc

Commander
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Jul 10, 2012
Messages
2,429
Mariah here...I like the 4.3 over the 3.0 and the trim looks to be of higher quality than the Stingray. As either are used, I'd be prepared to take it to a marina for a once over to confirm its ready for use.

Stingray skeg looks worse for the wear as well so he/she has not been too gentle with it. Almost looks like they hit something and then backed up to confirm they had hit something. *Might* have some damage in the lower unit.
 

DCMacGuy

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 5, 2013
Messages
36
Yes, extensive detail and pricing everything out . . . :rolleyes: :facepalm:

Don't you have a full website dedicated to your boats though? ;)

Just saying - I'd be more inclined to buy from a well documented nutcase than I would someone who throws receipts away. When the time comes to move from my current Sea Ray to a bigger Sea Ray, the next owner will know where every cent went into my boat.
 

muskyfins

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 7, 2012
Messages
580
My opinions:

They are basically equivalent. The Stingray is more performance oriented and lighter weight, but that is no fun in rougher water. The Mariah is heavier and built with a little better materials especially in the interior. I'm guessing performance is about the same.

While condition is of paramount importance with used boats, they both look very good. If so, there's a slight edge to the Stingray due to being 7 years newer. However, at least around me, back to back seating is much less desirable than the captains chairs. This would lean in the favor of the Mariah.

In 5 years, assuming all things are equal, it might be easier to sell the Stingray because it's newer. You're going to need to look at both and see if there's any discernable differences.

As far as the "nut case" guy, he might be. Might not be. :noidea: I try to be as transparent as possible when selling a boat, so the buyer knows exactly what to expect before they call. Also, I like to let buyers have some confidence in how it's been maintained as i consider myself above average with maintenance. Then again, I've turned some people off who started thinking why this boat needed so much work, or what was I trying to hide.

.....hmmmm that all makes me a politician. I typed out 4 paragraphs and didn't say anything one way or the other:blah::blah:.....sorry about that, but I stand by the fact that they are basically equivalent....
 

jkust

Rear Admiral
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Aug 2, 2008
Messages
4,942
I don't like that the stingray was used in salt aside from the fact they are a dime a dozen, low end, entry level boat but with a little pizaz. Sure they are top end fast but they can't magically make up the torque difference because of their light weight. It's rarely smooth to go top end anyway. The 4.3 even though it is only 190hp has a lot of torque. I don't mind that he is detailed...a little silly to mention replacement of wear items but I sort of get it.
I'd pass on the stingray for its lack of prowess in chop as well.
 

jkust

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 2, 2008
Messages
4,942
I don't like that the stingray was used in salt aside from the fact they are a dime a dozen, low end, entry level boat but with a little pizaz. Sure they are top end fast but they can't magically make up the torque difference because of their light weight. It's rarely smooth to go top end anyway for very long. The 4.3 even though it is only 190hp has a lot of torque. I don't mind that he is detailed...a little silly to mention replacement of wear items but I sort of get it.
I'd pass on the stingray for its lack of prowess in chop as well. 4.3 has a pleasant sound to it..quiet, no drone at all. Maybe depends on how well the engine room is sound deadened as some boats don't put focus on those details.
 

tpenfield

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Jul 18, 2011
Messages
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Don't you have a full website dedicated to your boats though? ;)

Just saying - I'd be more inclined to buy from a well documented nutcase than I would someone who throws receipts away. When the time comes to move from my current Sea Ray to a bigger Sea Ray, the next owner will know where every cent went into my boat.

Yes, I too might be a nut case :D . . . at least at times it seems so.

For me, the contents of your advertisement is the 'foot' you put forward when trying to sell your boat. Listing out in extensive detail the things you have done to/for the boat and the exact amount that you have paid sends mixed signals, in my opinion.

What is the seller trying to communicate ? :noidea: It could be quite a number of things . . . :confused: Do you really want to go see this boat & the person selling it :noidea:

Just saying :D

Regardless, I do like the Mariah better for the engine and it can probably take the chop a bit better. . . . the 130 hours on a boat that old begs a few questions though.
 
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