Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 vs Mariah Z280 2000 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 or the Mariah Z280 2000?

For trailering, the Mariah Z280 2000 has the edge at 73 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 Z280 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Mariah Z280 2000 measures 105" wide, compared to 102" for the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 or the Mariah Z280 2000?

The Mariah Z280 2000 has the bigger tank at 116 gallons, versus 65 gallons on the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000. That 51-gallon difference translates to roughly 153–255 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 and Mariah Z280 2000 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 and the Mariah Z280 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 Z280 2000

Mariah

Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000

2000

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Mariah

Mariah Z280 2000

2000

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 vs Mariah Z280 2000 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 vs Mariah Z280 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 Z280 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 Z280 2000 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Mariah Z280 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

ModelZ28

Model Year2

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102"

Beam105"

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.67

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches105

Deadrise20 degrees

Draft [drive up] - Detail19"

Draft [drive up] - Detail26"

Draft [drive up] meters0.48

Draft [drive up] meters0.66

Draft [drive up] inches19

Draft [drive up] inches26

Draft [max] - Detail36"

Draft [max] - Detail42"

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters1.07

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches42

Weight - Detail3,375 lbs/ 1531 kgs

Weight - Detail7300 lbs 3311kgs

Weight - kg1530.87

Weight - kg3311.22

Weight - lbs.3375

Weight - lbs.73

Height - Detail54" Vertical Clearance

Height - Detail77" Vertical Clearance

Height - Meters1.37

Height - Meters1.96

Height - Inches54

Height - Inches77

Length overall - Detail20' 9"

Length overall - Detail27' 10"

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Meters8.23

Length overall - Inches24

Length overall - Inches324

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail65 gal 246 ltr

Fuel tank capacity - Detail116 gal 439 ltr

Fuel tank capacity - Liters246.05

Fuel tank capacity - Liters439.11

Fuel tank capacity - Gal65

Fuel tank capacity - Gal116

Operational Info

HeadPortable

HeadYes

Headroom54"

Headroom72"

Water capacity5 gal

Water capacity25 gal

Maximum people10 person

Maximum people12 person

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 vs Mariah Z280 2000 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 or the Mariah Z280 2000?

For trailering, the Mariah Z280 2000 has the edge at 73 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 Z280 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Mariah Z280 2000 measures 105" wide, compared to 102" for the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 or the Mariah Z280 2000?

The Mariah Z280 2000 has the bigger tank at 116 gallons, versus 65 gallons on the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000. That 51-gallon difference translates to roughly 153–255 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 and Mariah Z280 2000 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Mariah Shabah 218/Z218 2000 and the Mariah Z280 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 Z280 2000 full specs