Mariah R21 2012 vs Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Mariah R21 2012 or the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000?

For trailering, the Mariah R21 2012 has the edge at 34 lbs dry weight versus 61 lbs for the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Mariah R21 2012 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Mariah R21 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Mariah R21 2012 and Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Mariah R21 2012 or the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000?

The Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 has the bigger tank at 125 gallons, versus 35 gallons on the Mariah R21 2012. That 90-gallon difference translates to roughly 270–450 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Mariah R21 2012 and Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Mariah R21 2012 and the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 are built by Mariah. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Mariah R21 2012 vs Mariah Shabah Z278 2000

Mariah

Mariah R21 2012

2012

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Mariah

Mariah Shabah Z278 2000

2000

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Mariah R21 2012 vs Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Mariah R21 2012 vs Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The Mariah R21 2012 carries a rated maximum of 300 hp. Engine data for the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 carries 125 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Mariah R21 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Mariah R21 2012 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Mariah R21 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeMariah

ModelR21

ModelShabah Z278

Model Year2012

Model Year2

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)

Beam102"

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise21°

Deadrise24 degrees

Weight - DetailDry: 3,400 lbs. (1,542 kg)

Weight - Detail6100 lbs 2767kgs

Weight - kg1542.21

Weight - kg2766.91

Weight - lbs.34

Weight - lbs.61

Length - Feet21.42

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 5 in. (6.5 m)

Length overall - Detail27'

Length overall - Meters6.53

Length overall - Meters8.23

Length overall - Inches257

Length overall - Inches324

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail22"

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail39"

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches39

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail68" Vertical Clearance

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.73

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches68

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (133 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail125 gal 473 ltr

Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters473.18

Fuel tank capacity - Gal35

Fuel tank capacity - Gal125

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Horsepower300 hp (224 kW)

Horsepowernot available

Performance

Maximum speed41 - 55 mph

Maximum speednot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,750 lbs. (794 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people1

Maximum people12 person

Headnot available

HeadPortable

Headroomnot available

Headroom60"

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity15 gal

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailOptional

Mariah R21 2012 vs Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Mariah R21 2012 or the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000?

For trailering, the Mariah R21 2012 has the edge at 34 lbs dry weight versus 61 lbs for the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Mariah R21 2012 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Mariah R21 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Mariah R21 2012 and Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Mariah R21 2012 or the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000?

The Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 has the bigger tank at 125 gallons, versus 35 gallons on the Mariah R21 2012. That 90-gallon difference translates to roughly 270–450 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Mariah R21 2012 and Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Mariah R21 2012 and the Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 are built by Mariah. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Mariah R21 2012 full specs ← Mariah Shabah Z278 2000 full specs