Buying a Supra Maraih

Craigb · Newbie Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 3 City: Johannesburg

Hi All

I am looking at buying this boat and wondered if anyone has additional information on this model i.e. Engine size, make of engine ect.

The boat has been standing for 14 years and has only got 41 hours on the clock. What will I need to do to get the boat up and running?

Craigb · Newbie Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 3 City: Johannesburg

Some more pics

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

Craigb, First off, great choice. I own a Mariah as well. I love mine to death.

Now to the fun stuff.

The biggest thing I notice is that doesn't look like the original motor. (To my knowledge) All Supra Mariahs came with Ford 351windsor motors. What you have in that one is a Chevy 350. Easiest way to tell is the distributor on Fords are on the front. I will post pics of mine to show you what I mean. That would also explain to why the clock only reads 14hours. But with all that info you need to ask was this guy the original owner. Does he have the title to prove it? Then ask why he replaced the motor. Does it run? If it does run, you will want to do a compression check to make sure it runs well and won't need a rebuild. So make sure you can hear it run. Now the Chevy 350 is a nice powerplant, and parts are easy to find. But it stills seems odd for the different motor, what year is this boat? Have you heard it run? How did it do?

As for the boat itself. Check the floor and make sure it's not rotted out. You will know because when you walk on it, it will feel likes its soft and giving into weight. A little give is okay, if the floor feels like it's gonna collapse if you jump on it, the stringers in the floor will have to be replaced (a big task).

The overall interior of the boat looks good, other than it's filthy. Check to make sure all the seats are good and not rotting, and the supports that hold them. Check all the electronics, guages, lights, dash, etc.

And then do your normal checks on the hull, condition, etc.

These are great boats. I love mine. I had it out running yesterday. The only concern I have is the low hours, which would seem impossible, and the fact that it doesn't look like the original motor. But again, a new motor may be a blessing in disguise. Cool

3205lpv · Newbie Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 34 City: Kennesaw

The engine could be a chevy 454. My sunsport has one and it looks like that. I would worry about the boat sitting for that long for a number of reasons. One the engine may have internal corosion and will need overhualled possibly. Second it is sitting on a roller trailer. If boats sit for to long on those trailers they get indentions in the hull from improper support. Also the interior looks pretty much shot. If you are willing to do some work and anticipate problems it will be a great boat. The wake is second to none and the open bow is a rareity in that old of a boat.

goinbig143 · Addict Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 659 City: Wonder lake

How much?

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

3205lpv, I thought about the 454 as well, but if it is. It's still aftermarket. The Mariah's didn't come with 454s.

Good point on the trailer too.

pilot_ryder · Posted: Apr 17, 2006 8:12 pm Post subject:

doesnt look like its in very good condition, i also really think that boat will look great cleaned up Laughing

ttuclint · Addict Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 984 City: Lubbock, TX

LoudonTN · Posted: Apr 18, 2006 6:22 am Post subject:

Most important question about this is how much? If it's not that much, I'd definately put the work into it, from the floor to the engine. But if it's not a decent price, I wouldn't worry about it. Heck, I'd be interested in it for the right price.

vette74 · Posted: Apr 18, 2006 9:42 am Post subject:

That is a big block chevrolet

Craigb · Newbie Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 3 City: Johannesburg

I spoke to the importer regarding the motor and apparently dew to spare parts the Supra boards that where sent to South Africa where fitted with a chev motor. So it is an original motor. Regarding the floor boards, I have checked all the floor boards and there is no wood rot. The seats are a little dirty are all in good nick and no rot. On a whole the boat is in really great condition. In terms of the price it would work out to about $ 9500 if I had to convert it to your exchange rate. The motor worries me a bit because it’s been standing for 14 years now and how knows what’s going to be wrong. What to do??????????

Haugy Can you please send me some pics if you got of your boat

sjp · Criminal Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Posts: 81 City: Mesa, AZ

After my experiance with the same boat

see http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=55758

I would definately say that should make sure that engine runs BEFORE you buy it. I may be wrong, but I think it is possible that an engine sitting for 14 years could be frozen up, rusted out, or otherwise compromised.

I would actually be more concerned about an engine that had low hours but had been sitting for so long then I would be about an engine with higher hours.

Can you get a compression test, and/or have the engine run before you buy it?

Otherwise you are running a significant risk

Jared

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

vette74, man I am glad you chimed in. I kept looking at that intake, and it dwarfs the darn distributor. I was sitting here thinking......"that looks like a 454, but Supra didn't put 454's in them"

Well being in South Africa explains a lot. I have no clue what they might have used for you guys. Laughing

Craigb, the more I look at your boat, the more I like it. The interior is in great condition. It's just dirty. Nothing a weekend can't cure. The seats and carpets condition and color tells me it's in good shape.

But now the problem everyone is talking about. The engine.
My recommendation is you HAVE TO HEAR IT RUN!!!! Go out to it, find the hose that runs from the hull of the boat into the front of the motor. That is the coolant line. It will run from the hull, through a strainer (filter), to a pump on the front of the motor. When you find the strainer (filter) disconnect the side going to the hull of the boat, and stick a garden hose into the strainer side so fresh water goes toward the motor. This will keep the motor cool, so the guy can't argue it's not in water. And this will let you run it for a while to see if it smokes or has any problems.

Do you have any mechanics you trust? If so, run the boat by them and let them do a compression test. It's real easy for a mechanic to do. They will tell you if it's a good or bad engine.

If it truely has been sitting for 14 years, the plugs are shot, and the oil will need changing (bad), plus it may have contaminated fuel. These are all things to consider before running this boat. As it may have been a good boat, but bad fuel or worse bad(or none at all) oil will hurt a motor.

$9500 is a good number for that boat if the motor is sound. But considering how long it has sat still, and the filth. I would make them go down on price. And while your at it check all the guages when it fires up, and all the electronics, lights, etc.

Before the tower

LoudonTN · Posted: Apr 19, 2006 1:33 pm Post subject:

9500 is a good price, I would try to fake-a-lake it, see if it'll start. Not sure how you do it on an Inboard, I've only done it on I/O's. You definately want to make sure that it starts though, you could have a whole host of problems underneath that (a busted block, rust, anything). If it starts, you better buy it or tell me how I can Wink

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

LoudonTN, by fake-a-lake you mean running a cooling line to it? I/O's are easy with that little doo hickey you stick on the stern drive. But I told him how to run fresh water to it.

Do you read? Laughing

bucknaked · Posted: Apr 20, 2006 11:27 am Post subject:

Craigb, If you do buy that boat I would find out what Tower is on Haugy's boat, in my opinion that matches that boat perfectly. Well done Haugy.