Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 vs Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 or the Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000?

For trailering, the Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000 has the edge at 425 lbs dry weight versus 3 375 lbs for the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 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 Shabah 218/Z218 2000 and Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000 share an 102" 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 Shabah 218/Z218 2000 or the Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000?

The Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 has the bigger tank at 65 gallons, versus 56 gallons on the Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 and Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 and the Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 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 Shabah 218/Z218 2000 vs Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000

Mariah

Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000

2000

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Mariah

Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000

2000

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 vs Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 vs Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 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 Shabah 218/Z218 2000 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeMariah

ModelShabah 218/Z218

ModelShabah 252/Z252

Model Year2

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102"

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20 degrees

Deadrise20 deg

Draft [drive up] - Detail19"

Draft [drive up] - Detail18"

Draft [drive up] meters0.48

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] inches19

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [max] - Detail36"

Draft [max] - Detail35"

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail3,375 lbs/ 1531 kgs

Weight - Detail4250 lbs 1928 kgs

Weight - kg1530.87

Weight - kg1927.77

Weight - lbs.3375

Weight - lbs.425

Height - Detail54" Vertical Clearance

Height - Detail55" Vertical Clearance

Height - Meters1.37

Height - Meters1.4

Height - Inches54

Height - Inches55

Length overall - Detail20' 9"

Length overall - Detail25'2"

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Meters7.67

Length overall - Inches24

Length overall - Inches302

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail65 gal 246 ltr

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. 212 ltr

Fuel tank capacity - Liters246.05

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal65

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Operational Info

HeadPortable

Headnot available

Headroom54"

Headroomnot available

Water capacity5 gal

Maximum people10 person

Maximum people12 persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 vs Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 or the Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000?

For trailering, the Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000 has the edge at 425 lbs dry weight versus 3 375 lbs for the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 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 Shabah 218/Z218 2000 and Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000 share an 102" 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 Shabah 218/Z218 2000 or the Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000?

The Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 has the bigger tank at 65 gallons, versus 56 gallons on the Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 and Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 and the Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 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 Shabah 218/Z218 2000 full specs ← Mariah Shabah 252/Z252 2000 full specs