Opinion on Maxum 2400 SCR?
Stephen J. Pintauro
Hello All,
I am considering purchasing a 1995 Maxum 2400 SCR. This is a small
(24 foot) cruiser. The boat is in excellent shape with only 39 hour
on it. We will be using it on Lake Champlain (Vermont) and hope to
make good use of its overnight capabilities. The boat has a lot of
extras, including hot water shower, pump-out head, and other small
miscellaneous options. We are looking for a family boat (we have two
kids, age 7 and 8).
My questions:
Although we have been shopping for boats for about a month, I don't
know a lot about Maxum. Any opinions on the quality of this line? I
understand it is basically a fancier line of Bayliner.
The boat comes with the standard Mercuriser 4.3 LX 6 cylinder (190
hp?). This is the smallest engine offered for this boat. Is this
enough power?
Unfortunately, the boat is not currently in the water, so we cannot
conveniently give it a test run. Also, no trailer available to get it
to the water. The dealer will move it to our marina if we purchase
it. It is now about 1 hour away from the lake, so it really is not
reasonable to ask the dealer to put it in the lake for just a test
drive. Can anyone offer any opinions on how this boat rides? I am
particularly interested in its ride on choppy lake conditions.
We are also looking at some Sea Ray boats and Four Winns. But haven't
found any that appear to be as good a deal as the Maxum. How does
Maxum compare in quality to these boat lines? The dealer is telling
us that the "blue book" value on the boat is about $31,000. He is
asking $25,000. From what we have seen in our month of shopping, it
looks like a lot of boat for the money. Are we missing anything?
Finally, does anyone know of an unbiased resource that reviews boats
(similar to Consumer Reports for Autos)?
Thanks in advance for any input and opinions.
Stephen J. Pintauro
spin...@zoo.uvm.edu
**************************************************************
Stephen J. Pintauro
Department of Nutritional Sciences
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405
email: spin...@moose.uvm.edu
James Hilliard
I just traded in a Bayliner 2651 on a net Maxum 2800SCR. The 2651
had a 5.0XL V8 and was WAY UNDERPOWERED! I was lucky to get 35mph
out of it. Other than that the 2651 was a very good value and very
good cruiser. Now, the new Maxum is a 1997 model. The boat weighs
8200 full and comes with a 7.4L Bravo 3. I have had it up to 49mph
with the canvis down and about 45mph up. Maxum is owned by the same
company as Bayliner (and several other boats), but is several levels
above Bayliner quality. This boat is stable and good handling. I
shopped Maxum, Bayliner, Larson and Cruisers Inc. before deciding
on the Maxum. Maxum is on par with Cruisers Inc. You could not
ask for a better boat. The older Maxums were copies of the Bayliner
line with hatch, seat and hardware upgrades. I do "knot" know when
Maxum went to its own hull design, but the 96 line was no copy. It
is a much stronger boat then the Bayliner, but dont take me wrong,
the Bayliners are fine boats. I intend to travel on this new boat
and wanted something bigger and more comfortable than my 2651.
For the 24 Maxum I would think that using the 4.3 (is it a XL? Makes
a big difference in speed!) should give you at least 35mph. What out
drive does it have? As far as a test drive, ANY dealer will take it
to the water for a test! Make it part of the deal!
Mark Hilliard, N2HHR
Rick Persons
>
> Stephen J. Pintauro
> spin...@zoo.uvm.edu
>
> **************************************************************
> Stephen J. Pintauro
> Department of Nutritional Sciences
> University of Vermont
> Burlington, VT 05405
>
> email: spin...@moose.uvm.edu
on the new Maxum 2100 SC. This will give you an idea in what you are
getting in to. New this craft is priced around $22K so you may want to
consider looking at a 21 footer. I have a 21' Liberator and it will
handle a family of 5 very well.
Happy Cruising!
Rick
R.W. Odell
Stephen,
You are correct in that Maxum is a unit of US Marine, as is Bayliner. The
facilities are shared for some of the boat lines. The Maxums have a
little better fit and finish, but the hull design is the same.
The Maxum (and Bayliner) quality has improved dramatically in the last
ten year, and markedly so in the last five. There is nothing wrong with
that boat. We considered the 1994 model when we bought our 1994
Chaparral.
The reason we didn't was power. We were at high altitude at the time and
wanted a 454, which US Marine wouldn't do. The largest engine was the
350. The Maxum was a good performer with the 350, but didn't have the
extra punch we wanted (at 6000' MSL). I would be concerned about the 4.3
in that boat when you were loaded with fuel, water, gear and passengers.
It seems like you're asking a lot, even from the 'X' version. The power
is probably the reason the price is considerably lower.
(There is a huge fit and finish difference between the Chaparral and the
Maxum, but the Maxum was acceptable - the Chaparral nicer.)
It doesn't seem unreasonable to make an offer subject to an acceptable
water trial. If you get reasonable answers to your questions, and then
back that up with a water trial, you are ok. Speed or hole shot may not
be important to you - only you can decide. That engine is a decent engine
and will last forever if you care for it. You will certainly get good
economy from it.
Now that we have had the 454 at sea level, it would be hard to have less
<grin>.
I'm sure your dealer doesn't want that boat around for the winter - two
hours drive and a water test on a deal that is close shouldn't be a big
deal. I wouldn't buy a boat like that unless I had some experience to
draw on.
The Four Winns and Sea Rays are both good boats. I have personal
preferences toward the Sea Rays.
-Bob
'94 Chaparral Signature 24 - For Sale ;(
'95 Avanti 3258 :)
James Hilliard
R.W. Odell wrote:
>
> Stephen,
>
> You are correct in that Maxum is a unit of US Marine, as is Bayliner. The
> facilities are shared for some of the boat lines. The Maxums have a
> little better fit and finish, but the hull design is the same.
>
The hull designs changed to a seperate design in 1995.
Mark Hilliard, N2hhr
