Looking for some advice

[bkhdmh]

I am looking to purchase a newer boat (bowrider) for my family sometime this week. Right now I am stuck between two boats. But have some concurns about both.

The first boat is a 2010 Mariah R18.9 with 11 hours on it. Asking price is $18, 999 but the broker said I may be able to get it for $17,500. It has the extended platform and a 3.0 mercruser. Me and my wife really like this boat but not sure if we want to jump into a $200 a month payment.

The second is a 2005 SeaDoo Utopia 185 with 200 hp for $10,000. It has some cracks in the upholstery and not sure how many hours on the engine. We like this one because of the price.

The 2010 comes with the remainder of the factory warranty and we had planned on purchasing the extended engine warranty.

The 2005 with no warranty.

We will be operating the boat in Lake Anna and the Potomac. So fresh and salt water.

The questions I would have are:

How well do Mariah's hold their value?

Will the Jet boat hold up with repetative salt water usage? I would flush it after ever use.

We will primarily be using the boat for cruising, tubing, and fishing. We like to tie up with friends on the river and just anchor out and party, when we can find a babysitter. My children are still small (9 and 4). We may try to do some knee or wake boarding when they get a little older.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Looking for some advice

My opinion is you have to trade off the positives/negatives and what's really important to you.

The Mariah:

- essentially new
- warranty
- better fuel economy
- extra $$$

The SeaDoo

- 5 years old
- no warranty
- most fun to drive
- pretty hard on gas
- much cheaper

My first thought reading this is the 3.0L may be undersized for the Mariah being close to 19'. Load it with people and a skier/tubes, and it may not perform the way you'd like.

I'd still consider the Mariah. Reason being is I've driven the SeaDoo. Love to drive them, wouldn't care to own one.

If you considering the boat for your requirements, deckboats are a nice solution to the needs with the park/party option much more accessible.

But again, it's one man's opinion. (and that of a 2 time deck boat owner who does pretty much the same things with your boat that you do)

 

[boat1010]

Re: Looking for some advice

I would go with the 2010 Mariah R18.9. We have a friend with a Mariah and it is over 10 years old and is still in great shape. They have never had any problems with it. The Seadoo boats that I have been around i don't like. does the one you are looking at have two motors? The Seadoo can be taken into any Seadoo dealer and they can plug it into the computer and tell you how many hours it has on it. But I would go with the NEW boat and warranty. Just my opinion.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Looking for some advice

The Mariah is a nice boat its not going to be a powerhouse but will probably do what you need it to and will be pretty good on gas. A warrantee would be nice to have but you will pay for it(thats for you to decide) The seadoo would be a very fun boat, fast handles well, but as mentioned HARD on gas and oil(its two stroke right) For a five year old boat it shouldn't have any cracks in the interior unless it has been left out uncovered, which would concern me alot. If you cant at least cover it what else ARENT you doing to it. Either way your kids are both old enough to start out on something kneeboards are great for young kids to get started on. Good luck hope it turns out well for you.

 

[bkhdmh]

Re: Looking for some advice

I like the deckboats but i have not been able to find any under $20k. They are a nice bowrider/pontoon mix.

The jet boat is a 4 stroke powered by mercruser. Basically the way it was explained to me was that it has a mercruser outboard with a jet attachment hooked up to it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for some advice

With that budget I'd be surprised if you couldn't find a nice boat with a 4.3 V6 which is what I'd really want in that size.

 

[diesel5599]

Re: Looking for some advice

I'd worry about the SeaDoo also. Not only no warranty, but if they didn't bother to cover it, did they bother to flush the engine, change the oil, maintain the trailer? Jetboats are usually trashed while driving too; typically bought by the younger crowd to just throw around and have fun with. But that type of driving is really hard on the engine.

I'm also not a fan of jet drives, suck in the wrong thing and you have a very expensive repair on your hands. I/O's are a lot more forgiving. For the prices you were mentioning I'd possibly keep looking. You can prob get the 4.3L merc with a 2008 or 2009 and some warranty left for less than that.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Looking for some advice

I recently acquired Mariah's 2007 DX212 with a Merc 150 Saltwater. I love the boat! Roomy, lots of freeboard, rides great; even in good chop it's nice and dry. The 150 pushes it nicely. Time will tell, but I'm told they hold value very well. Several friends have SeeDoos and they complain about the downtime and expensive repair bills. Go Mariah!

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Looking for some advice

I would look for a bigger boat a little older but in good shape. Its a buyers market right now,look around, there are great deals to be had. I don't like going into debt for a boat or vehicles. Just my opinion.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Looking for some advice

I think you will like the Mariah but I hesitate with the motor, it will move fine but the moment you put a tube on it your going to find the motors limitations quickly,

My advice would be to keep looking, if you want to play with tubes you will want a 4.3 or bigger

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for some advice

Old thread gents.