Maxum 1700 W/120 HP Force outboard: Good boat/motor combination?
Dave Hausser
I have been looking at small runabouts for use on local lakes for general
use. The
lakes in the area vary from small "No Wake" to fairly large reservoirs. We
would
like the boat to have enough power to pull skiers. In particular, my fiance
has 2
teenage daughters that would get great enjoyment out of this. I may use the
boat for some fishing, but I don't really care if the boat is set up
specifically for
this, because this likely will not be the primary function.
We have currently have a Plymouth Voyager minivan that I plan to use to pull
the boat, so I am trying to keep the boat/trailer weight to around 2000lb.
This
seems to dictate approximately a 17' boat with an outboard motor. This
would
the first boat I have owned, so I would also like to keep the cost fairly
low in case
we decide we don't enjoy it.
There is a fairly large dealer in the area that has 17' Maxum 1700XR boats
with
120HP Force outboard engines. The prices they quoted seemed quite
reasonable, $11,300 after a $500 incentive. What are your opinions of this
boat,
the outboard motor and the price?
Here is a list of boats I have looked at that seem like they meet the
weight/function requirements we are looking for. Any comments on these
boats
are welcome.
Glastron GS160 with 115HP Johnson outboard
Maxum 1700XR with 120HP Force outboard
Bayliner 1800 Capri LSV with 120HP Force outboard
FOUR WINNS Horizon QX with 115 Johnson outboard: More expensive at
dealership we looked at
Larson Flyer 166 With 115HP Johnson outboard: About $1000 more than top 3
listed
-Dave
Dave Hausser
My original post was not formatted well and had some grammer problems, so I
thought I would repost to make it easier to read.
I have been looking at small runabouts for use on local lakes for general
use. The lakes in the area vary from small "No Wake" to fairly large
reservoirs. We would like the boat to have enough power to pull skiers. In
particular, my fiance has 2 teenage daughters that would get great enjoyment
out of this. I may use the boat for some fishing, but I don't really care
if the boat is set up specifically for this, because this likely will not be
the primary function.
We currently have a Plymouth Voyager minivan that I plan to use to pull the
boat, so I am trying to keep the boat/trailer weight to around 2000lb. This
seems to dictate approximately a 17' boat with an outboard motor. This
would be the first boat I have owned, so I would also like to keep the cost
fairly low in case we decide we don't enjoy it.
There is a fairly large dealer in the area that has 17' Maxum 1700XR boats
with 120HP Force outboard engines. The prices they quoted seemed quite
reasonable, $11,300 after a $500 incentive. What are your opinions of this
boat, the outboard motor and the price?
Here is a list of boats I have looked at that seem like they meet the
weight/function requirements we are looking for. Any comments on these
boats are welcome.
- Glastron GS160 with 115HP Johnson outboard
- Maxum 1700XR with 120HP Force outboard
- Bayliner 1800 Capri LSV with 120HP Force outboard
- FOUR WINNS Horizon QX with 115 Johnson outboard: More expensive
at dealership we looked at
- Larson Flyer 166 With 115HP Johnson outboard: About $1000 more than
top 3 listed
-Dave
Terrance R. Neafie
I have been running a 91 Maxum 1800SR 3.0L Mercruiser since I bought it new. I have been happy with the overall quality of the boat but have learned the following lessons about Maxums' in general.
1. 18' open bow is great for two, ok for three, and crowded with any
more people in it. The worst
thing is that Maxums' bow and stern floor panels don't turn up at 90
degrees to the seats. I can't count the number of times I have jammed
my toes when walking to the bow or stern.
2. 130HP is underpowered. I felt like I was beating my engine
to death every time I pulled a 150lb
skiier up out of the water with two people aboard, gear, etc.
It will pull them up but the engine has got to be classified as "severe
use" type of service. The outboard might be the way to go because
of
the power/weight increase but you loose more space/gain more noise.
3. Before you buy - Put a pair of skiis in the ski locker!
I took my boat home and went to load it
up and discovered I could not get a ski into the locker.
If the hatch was 2" longer or moved foreward 2" I could stow my skiis where
they are supposed to be stowed.
4. If your boat has the built in under seat cooler know that you'll
wind up using it to store towels ,
life vests, etc. It will keep food cool for about 20 minutes
and it's a hassle to have to pull the
seat cusion everytime someone wants a drink.
Like I said, I like the boat. There are the annoyances that the dealer/manufacturer know about that you will find out about once your committed.
Dave Hausser wrote:
I have been looking at small runabouts for use on local lakes for general
use. The
lakes in the area vary from small "No Wake" to fairly large reservoirs. We
would
like the boat to have enough power to pull skiers. In particular, my fiance
has 2
teenage daughters that would get great enjoyment out of this. I may use the
boat for some fishing, but I don't really care if the boat is set up
specifically for
this, because this likely will not be the primary function.
We have currently have a Plymouth Voyager minivan that I plan to use to pull
the boat, so I am trying to keep the boat/trailer weight to around 2000lb.
This
seems to dictate approximately a 17' boat with an outboard motor. This
would
the first boat I have owned, so I would also like to keep the cost fairly
low in case
we decide we don't enjoy it.
There is a fairly large dealer in the area that has 17' Maxum 1700XR boats
with
120HP Force outboard engines. The prices they quoted seemed quite
reasonable, $11,300 after a $500 incentive. What are your opinions of this
boat,
the outboard motor and the price?
Here is a list of boats I have looked at that seem like they meet the
weight/function requirements we are looking for. Any comments on these
boats
are welcome.
Glastron GS160 with 115HP Johnson outboard
Maxum 1700XR with 120HP Force outboard
Bayliner 1800 Capri LSV with 120HP Force outboard
FOUR WINNS Horizon QX with 115 Johnson outboard: More expensive at
dealership we looked at
Larson Flyer 166 With 115HP Johnson outboard: About $1000 more than top 3
listed-Dave
-- Don't just get even - Be more successful!!! ----------------------------------------------------- | Terry Neafie Account Support Engineer |\ | Silicon Graphics / Cray Research 972.628.3221 |\| | 6200 LBJ FWY Suite 100 |\| | Dallas, TX 75240 Fax 972.628.4221 |\| | VMail 800.400.9460 X3221 nea...@sgi.com |\| ----------------------------------------------------- \| \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ http://www.sgi.com \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\| ------------------------------------------------------
Terrance R. Neafie
Pmaxwell1
As has been mentioned on this NG many times, Maxum is a next step up from the
Bayliner.. They are made by the SAME company... but Maxum is considered by many
to be the nicer of the two, though that Bayliner 1800 LSV is a VERY slick boat!
They appear to be well made (despite what some of the BIGGOTS on this NG will
say. Don't believe the bashers!)
> Maxum 1700XR with 120HP Force outboard
This will be MORE than enough horsepower to pull a skier with a 1700.. that
should be ONE fast boat!
> Bayliner 1800 Capri LSV with 120HP Force outboard
Another excellent choice.. again more than enough go... and if its one of the
new ones, it will be VERY comfortable as well!
> FOUR WINNS Horizon QX with 115 Johnson outboard: More expensive at
> dealership we looked at
Four Winns ARE expensive.. but if Maxum and Bayliner are the Chevrolet of boats,
then FOUR WINNS should be like a high end Caddy or Mercedes. They will be more
expensive, probably weigh more to pull (more fuel costs in boat and car.) They
will also have a higher resale value..
My suggestion would be to buy one used.. but have a boat mechanic go over it
THOROUGHLY!! Otherwise on used you could easily get burned with someone else's
headache.. But like the Caddy and Mercedes, they depreciate a LOT when you take
a new one off the lot.. The used ones have probably had things that went wrong
fixed, have depreciated, and you can get one, learn in it, and then get what you
really like or get out of it cheaper if you decide its not for you..
But, in the examples you gave, I don't think you could go wrong with any of
them..
Hope this helps.
Martin
Steve
In article <biv41.5791$ly2.7...@news.internetMCI.com>, "Dave Hausser" <dhau...@mci2000.com> wrote:
>My original post was not formatted well and had some grammer problems, so Ithought I would repost to make it easier to read.
>I have been looking at small runabouts for use on local lakes for general>use. The lakes in the area vary from small "No Wake" to fairly large
>reservoirs. We would like the boat to have enough power to pull skiers. In>particular, my fiance has 2 teenage daughters that would get great enjoyment
>out of this. I may use the boat for some fishing, but I don't really care>if the boat is set up specifically for this, because this likely will not be
>boat, so I am trying to keep the boat/trailer weight to around 2000lb. This>seems to dictate approximately a 17' boat with an outboard motor. This
>There is a fairly large dealer in the area that has 17' Maxum 1700XR boats>with 120HP Force outboard engines. The prices they quoted seemed quite
>reasonable, $11,300 after a $500 incentive. What are your opinions of this>boat, the outboard motor and the price?
>Here is a list of boats I have looked at that seem like they meet the>weight/function requirements we are looking for. Any comments on these
>- Bayliner 1800 Capri LSV with 120HP Force outboard>- FOUR WINNS Horizon QX with 115 Johnson outboard: More expensive
> at dealership we looked at
> top 3 listed
>-Dave
I owned a Maxxum a few years ago. Well made, very solid, with excellent
attention to the details. The model I owned was underpowered and small,
but that doesn't seem to be a problem for the one you're looking at.
There's an awful lot of Bayliner bashing in this N.G., and unfortunately
a lot "spills over" to Maxxums. Maxxum may share the same hull and
power as Bayliner, but nearly everything else on the boat is better quality.
BTW, your minivan will probably be a pretty marginal tow vehicle, even for
a 17' runabout. Put the heaviest duty hitch you can find on it, and get a
transmission oil cooler. Keep a close eye on brakes and rear tires
also, they'll wear a lot more quickly when towing. get a set of heavy
duty (gas filled) shocks too.
Steve L.