Which boat- Rinker or Mariah? Opinions invited!

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RV42

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Hi all,

My first post so please be gentle!

I'm looking at two different boats this weekend, with a view to buying one of them (or something alse that comes up) inside the next few days.

They're completely different, I realise that - bottom line is I'm happy with a big bowrider, cuddy OR cruiser.

I'm looking at a 2008 Mariah SX 25 (big BR) with a petrol V8 Mercruiser, 1 owner, done 50hrs, very clean - circa £20k AFTER negotiation - seems like great value?!

Also going to see a 2002 Rinker 270 (4 berth cruiser) with a Yanmar 240hp diesel, 2 owners, 'low' hours, good clean boat apparently - £35k BEFORE any negotiation.
I'm sensing ''underpowered'' and maybe ''noisy'' and wondering about ''unreliable''? I hope I'm wrong but please share your expertise.

I realise they're COMPLETELY different boats that can't be compared to each other but I'm really keen to get any advice or opinion on them as SEPARATE boats (or suggestions for alternatives).

After that it's up to me to decide what way I want to go.

Look forward to hearing from you guys - many thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

Richard
 
Difference is: quality

Hi there... I've been a Mariah owner from new for 5 years, and given the choice I would have bought a Rinker! Don't get me wrong, the boat runs just fine (Mercruiser 5.7 in a 21 foot cuddy) but the overall build quality is poor (paintwork, fittings etc). But as long as you know that, you can live with it: my budget at the time wouldn't run to a Rinker (or probably any other manufacturer with this engine).

Note that *original* Mariahs from about 10 years ago (they went bust) were completely the opposite. They were exceptional, even fitted with electric seats. The new owners deliberately bought the brand name, used the same hull moulds but took them cheaper and downmarket. There's a Mariah owners club on the web, worth checking out to get further comments:

http://www.mariahownersclub.com/

Both boats will give a lot of fun, good luck :)
 
I think you are going about this completely wrong.
Every boat is a compromise- you just need to find one that tics more boxes than leaves blank ones.
So, as you say two different boats, but forget the name on it- you need to decide what you want the boat to do. It sounds like you dont yet know.. or you wouldnt be asking this question !
Dont get carried away with what you are looking at. Decide exactly what it is you want, and then look at those boats- or you WILL end up with the wrong boat.
Are you sure you dont want a sailing boat ;)
 
Have a good look at the engine/drive installation on the rinker aswell as they were not supplied from the factory with diesels in 2002.

Huw
 
There is a Rinker 270 moored next to Rafiki. She is a 2003 buiuld, but looks brand new. She has the V8 petrol, and given the option, if you can get the diesel at a sensible price, then go for it. Mix of lower running costs, fuel availability and retaining residual value.

You might also consider a Sealine 23 or 24, also available with a V8 petrol or sometimes Volvo diesel. These are great little boats, similar accommodation to the larger US boats, but much better packaged, and thought out for UK conditions.

I have no experience with a Mariah so can't comment.
 
Our 1st boat was a Rinker & I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them, good boats IMO. If it is a re-engine get it checked over by a pro & find out who did it. Lots of dodgy work done when re-powering boats.
 
I have the smaller 4 berth Rinker 250 with 5.0l MPI kicking out 260 horses so I think you're on the money when you say the 270 will be underpowered without considering petrol v diesel torque considerations.. The 260HP is fine in my boat but still need to use trim tabs and a bit more welly to get her on the plane in a reasonable amount of time with a full contigent on board... I'm running with a 16 x 16 Black Max prop btw.

very happy with the build quality in my Rinker so would expect the 270 to be as good.

hope that helps
 
Thanks - this is exactly the sort of information I was looking for to help try and educate myself to the various brands in a short space of time!

Hasn't put me off the Mariah though as a starter boat, because I still think it's cheap enough, but medium / long term I will def want to get into a high quality brand!

Had a Regal 2460 before my kids came along, was always impressed with it's build quality - presume it's a well regarded brand?


As regards ''not knowing what I want'' I did kind of expect a comment along those lines but don't worry about me :-)

I can afford to be really open minded about what I buy - I had a 24ft Sports Cruiser before which 2 of us slept on, but now there's 4 of us so even a 27ft could be a little tight (I'm 6ft 4" which doesn't help!).

Northern Ireland is great for leisure boating, with endless amounts of holiday homes / chalets / guest houses and hotels around both Lough Erne and the River Bann - hence why I'm just as happy with a Cuddy or Bowrider as a Cruiser!

So I'm not confused - I'm just happy to adjust my requirements to whatever boat comes along with enough appeal and value for me to want to buy it - I actually consider myself in a very fortunate position!

Ultimately the long term plan is to end up with a really nice 27 - 30ft Diesel Sports Cruiser which will literally do everything - sleeping accomodation, towing toys for the kids, entertaining friends - all in one package, but frankly, like many of us, I need to build the budget!

Anyway, you guys don't need my life story, I just wanted to explain my 'open mindedness'

Many thanks for all the replies.
 
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Hi Richard,

There's a big difference in budget between £20k and £35k do you have a max budget and/or a desired budget?

Me personally I wouldn't buy the Mariah, and (if it bothers you?) I suspect that could be a problem for you come re-sale.

The rinker is a good boat and there are lots of similar boats in that size that essentially offer the same package. I used to have a Monterey 250 which ran the D4 260 and that was a great package, plenty of power (36-40knts Max) we wakeboarded/towed ringo's behind that and spent long weekends away with 4 on board, so definitely do-able in a boat that size.

You say your long term plan is to end up with a really nice 27-30ft diesel cruiser, if you've got 35k then sounds like you can go for that from the start! The 240HP Yanmar won't win any speed competitions, but it won't be that bad, cruise will be ~25 max ~30 I would think.
 
Chas25 said:
There's a big difference in budget between £20k and £35k do you have a max budget and/or a desired budget?

You say your long term plan is to end up with a really nice 27-30ft diesel cruiser, if you've got 35k then sounds like you can go for that from the start!
Click to expand...


Thanks Chas - budget is as open minded as the boat! I'm ideally planning to spend somewhere between £18k and £35k (absolute max!) which I do realise is a broad range.

The reason that won't quite get me into my 27 - 30ft high quality cruiser just yet is that I want something as fresh as possible - maybe 06 or 07 upwards?

I just want it to be as new as poss, and also to have any hope of reselling a big boat like that in NI it really needs to be diesel.

I don't mind taking a few years to build up to it - I'm not panicking, that's why I see a nice Cuddy or BR at £20k or £25k a good starting point.
 
oGaryo said:
no connection other than having the same boat but this looks a absolute bargain even without the little extras like electric windless... recently re-engined too:eek: alot of boat for under 20K

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RINKER-250-FIESTA-VEE-/320744851248?pt=UK_Power_Boats&hash=item4aade20730
Click to expand...


Thanks Gary - that does indeed look like a great bargain to be fair!

Personally though I want to stick with diesel if going for a cruiser, and also for us it needs to be at least the next size up - the 270.

Appreciate your help though.

To be honest the big diesel cruiser is only something I have half an eye on at the moment - I'm not ruling the right one out but the priority is to find a big, fresh sports boat for £20k or £25k.


I'm taking the negative comments ref the Mariah on board, but I still think if I can lift it for £18k (which is my current offer being considered - owner is down from £25k to £20k) then it's cheap enough to take a chance on?!

Even if I accept that it's not top build quality, I think it would more than do my job for a few years as a starter boat.

It's still a 25ft (plus platform), 3 year old, 1 owner, low hours, 5.0 V8 MPI sport boat for circa £18k?! And with a road legal trailer too which I need this time around - my last boat had no trailer.

Rightly or wrongly, and I'm not claiming to be an expert (or I wouldn't be here asking the questions) I think that i's definitely good value - assuming everything checks out of course.

I happen to know it was sold new in '08 for £29k, anyone know what a new version (an R26?) would cost today out of curiosity? Retail high £40's, final price £45k? £40k?

Also the boat is here now physical in NI, 20 miles away, so big transport and time savings - finally, it's being brokered by an old friend who's now in the boat business, which brings a little comfort.

There's just too many things lining up to swing me in it's direction at the moment! :)
 
Very few people want a big bowrider; I think they are great dayboats, but looks like you and I are the only two !
Not easy to sell, I warn you ;) but great fun,especially with kids, and if its day boating, much more sense than a cuddy which is a waste of space.
Some will tell you the entire boat will be full of breaking waves and you and yours will be on the bottom of the ocean the first time you use it.
Well, if its macho wave breaking action you want, maybe its a heavy duty rib you need. Otherwise, ignore the concerns.
 
Thanks gjgm.

Don't worry my boat will never see the ocean - and that's as much to do with MY limitations as the boats!!

Big BR seems to equal ''oddball'' which equals ''hard to sell'' which I guess is another explanation as to why it is relatively cheap to start with, why I've offered £8k and then £7k less, and why he is ''strongly considering'' the £18k offer!!

If I get it, I believe it will do my particular job fine, and the various compromises will be offset (I believe anyway) by the price, that's the plan - because money always talks.

Please feel free to remind me of that statement however when I'm bitching on this very forum in 3 years time about how I can't get it sold at any price!! :-)
 
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