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2005 Mariah Mariah SX 18 Photos
2005 Mariah Mariah SX 18 Test Details
| Category | Bowrider |
| Length | 18ft / 5.49 m |
| Dealers | Contact Mariah Boats Dealers |
| Buyers Guides | Search For Mariah Boats Buyers Guides |
| Boats For Sale | Search For Mariah Boats For Sale |
2005 Mariah Mariah SX 18 Description
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Boat testers love hulls that leap out of the hole, accelerate swiftly and handle with agility. South Carolina's Mariah Boats' zippy SX18 has the "stuff" to keep scribes like me smiling, and considering that it is, in fact, Mariah's entry-level model of their fleet,the SX 18 doesn't lack for premium features.
In 2002, Sea Fox purchased the Mariah trademark and many of its exterior moulds. In creating a new, more affordable Mariah, all interior components were redesigned and as such, hulls like the SX 18 run well and cost less than Mariahs of the past.
The SX18 has a contemporary look, with clean lines, wave-like upholstery, and fresh colours.With a 7'8" beam, this 2,310 lb. 18-footer was powered appropriately by MerCruiser's 4.3 Litre V-6 I/O, the larger of two engine options available. While the hull design works fine with less power, hitting an honest 50 mph requires 190 hp.
Inside, seat pads forward lift to reveal generous compartments, while the spacious aft bench is split in three for ease of access to storage bins below. A well-sized in-floor ski locker can accommodate numerous water toys and miscellaneous gear, some of which can also be stowed within the open side panels.
The bow section is notable for its well-placed stainless-steel safety grab handles, beverage holders and bow anchor storage. Moving aft into the cockpit,the walk-through curved safety glass windshield is well braced.What made my ride comfortable, though, was the SX18's high-backed adjustable flip-up bucket helm seat, with its cutout, heat-of-the-summer side panels.
A stylish helm greets the driver with a sexy competition steering wheel, silver carbon-fibre-like dash panels, and instrumentation ideally placed. Faria's white-faced analog gauges flank a black, centre-mounted Ritchie compass on the first tier, while large black thumb switches are mounted immediately below.
The integral anti-slip swim platform can be easily accessed from the water by a lift-up stainless-steel boarding ladder. Centred below is MerCruiser's Alpha drive. I particularly appreciated the full-sized sun pad which spans the motor box and is made from premium 33-ounce vinyl.
Since 2002, Mariah's quality and workmanship has steadily improved. We discovered few details that could be criticized for a production-line boat. Get your dealer to install an extra fender cleat approximately halfway down the side to protect the hull from getting scratched at the pier.
Features hidden by the snap-in marine carpet include a floor reinforced with high density foam core, an all-composite cored transom, foamfilled stringers and closed cell foam flotation. The hull reacted well and landed softly when pushed at high speeds into punishing water conditions.
The Mariah planed in a scant 2.18 seconds and hit 30 mph in six seconds. The throttle held down, the SX18 lifted out of the water cleanly and flew over white-capped waves until its topend speed of 49.7 mph was recorded on GPS.
MerCruiser's economical 4.3 L engine pushed the moderately shallow 18-degree deadrise hull from 20 to 30 mph in 3.3 seconds, from 30 to 40 in another 3.3 seconds and from 20 to 40 in just 5.6 seconds. A swift time of 10.37 seconds was recorded when the boat accelerated from 0 to 45 mph.
As is my job, I cranked hard on the wheel to see how the SX18 would turn at high speed. The hull hung in very well, although the waves were really too large for a 50 mph bow rider under 21 feet. Tracking straight, the boat reacted quickly and precisely to steering commands, and I could trim well positive before it felt light.
2005 Mariah Mariah SX 18 Test Specifications
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Test boat engine: MerCruiser 4.3L, , 4.3 L ( 262 cid), 190 hp V-6 gasoline sterndrive pushing a three-blade aluminum prop.
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