New Mariah or Stingray???? need help

[windycityboater]

looking at new (2007/08) Mariahs and Stingrays. anyone have information on either brand? are they any good? they both seem reasonably priced. i like the styling better on the Mariah but the Stingray is said to be faster. what about the quality? thanks for the help...

 

[KCook]

Re: New Mariah or Stingray???? need help

What size boat?

 

[rndn]

Re: New Mariah or Stingray???? need help

My uncle bought a Mariah several years ago and has been very happy with it. It is an 18ft open bow with a 4.3 Mercruiser. I have heard good report about Stingray as well but have no first hand experience.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: New Mariah or Stingray???? need help

We need to know a little more....

 

[wvit1001]

Re: New Mariah or Stingray???? need help

I've got a '95 Stingray 656zp. It's a 22' open bow w/ the 350 ci mercruiser and an alpha one drive. I haven't had any problems with it in the time I've owned it other than general maintenance and an ignition module. I have really enjoyed the boat. All boats come with the same drivetrain, either the mercruiser or the volvo. The difference is the finish and the shape of the hull. My Stingray rides a little rougher than my friends Sea Ray but mine is a little faster.

One thing I've found is that Stingray really appriciates their owners and stands behind their product.

http://www.stingrayboats.com/MyStingray/ppost/showphoto.php/photo/16591

 

[catchbats]

Re: New Mariah or Stingray???? need help

I would go for the Stingray. I did a ton of reasearch on Mariah before I bought my boat. I even found the actual newspaper article discussing the criminal activities of the CEO, and the downfall of the company. The newer Mariahs are NOT the same as the old ones. People have been very disappointed with the crappy quality with the new ones. If it's an older Mariah, thay are excellent as far as quality goes, in fact some say they were some of the best ever made, however you can not get parts for those boats anymore. Some say well you can get what ever were ever for a boat. But if it's a specific Mariah product you''ll be outta luck.The company is under new ownership since the better ones made years ago. So one that note I'd stick with the Stingray. Save yourself the headache.

 

[windycityboater]

Re: New Mariah or Stingray???? need help

i'm looking at a 19' or 20'. i know mariah has changed ownership recently but don't know the details. also, the stingray comes with volvo power and the mariah has mercruiser. thanks.

 

[KCook]

Re: New Mariah or Stingray???? need help

I would shy away from the new Mariahs too. Here is a thread on another site about the Stingray -

http://boards.trailerboats.com/cgi-bin/trailerboats/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=003168

Kelly

 

[windycityboater]

Re: New Mariah or Stingray???? need help

kelly, are you on alot of forums? i took a closer look at the new mariah and i can tell you that the quality is very poor! thanks

 

[KCook]

Re: New Mariah or Stingray???? need help

Err, guilty as charged. No Mariah dealer in my town, so I haven't had a chance to see one for myself. But the reports from boaters that I trust have not given these a thumbs up.

Kelly

 

[catchbats]

Re: New Mariah or Stingray???? need help

That's the impression I got when I was checking into buying an older one. The older ones are very, very nice boats, and have some options that you'd only find on high end vessels. But these newer ones, are clearly not the same. If it wasn't for the fact I couldn't really get replacement parts for the older one, I would have bought it. You can get a lot of parts for boats from anywhere, but sometimes it's specific to the manufacturer and you'll be stuck replacing it with something that wasn't designed to fit, doesn't look right or whatever. I found it wasn't worth the hassel for me.

 

[stopher]

Re: New Mariah or Stingray???? need help

I've got a '95 Stingray 656zp. It's a 22' open bow w/ the 350 ci mercruiser and an alpha one drive. I haven't had any problems with it in the time I've owned it other than general maintenance and an ignition module. I have really enjoyed the boat. All boats come with the same drivetrain, either the mercruiser or the volvo. The difference is the finish and the shape of the hull. My Stingray rides a little rougher than my friends Sea Ray but mine is a little faster.

One thing I've found is that Stingray really appriciates their owners and stands behind their product.

http://www.stingrayboats.com/MyStingray/ppost/showphoto.php/photo/16591

RESURRECTION !!! sorry all, but I don't see many 656zp around.



i have a 1991 656zp 5.7 alphaGen2. GREAT BOAT. I bought it as a 3rd owner. all families on Chesapeake. good for all around fun.
stock, it goes 45mph with 3 people, full tank, aluminum 21p & 13 3/4" Merc BlackMax prop.

how is yours ?