Maxum 1800MX

[ChrisEvans1001]

Hi people,
I've been on quite a number of courses now (RYA) and just recently finished the day skipper and then seeing the southampton boat show ads I thought I'd have a look round. Found myself this little boat: http://www.maxumboats.com/sport_boats.asp?modelid=103727&year=2008 Maxum 1800MX and wanted some opinions as I have a few concerns!

Firstly, everywhere I read that its a "lakeboat" - yet the woman on the stand told me it'll be fine for going out to sea (obviously not far from shore)? Or maybe it's only suitable for going out in, not for leaving in the water?

Secondly I can't seem to find how fast it will go? I believe it's a Mercruiser 3 litre.

And lastly, any things I should look out for on my test run?

Thanks!!

Chris

 

[KCook]

Re: Maxum 1800MX

The lady on the stand wants to add your signature to her order book. Here is a link to another thread on this subject -

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=120387

Kelly Cook

 

[ChrisEvans1001]

Re: Maxum 1800MX

Ah, so after reading that I now see the issue is with the fact it's a bowrider. Less stable and possibility of deck flooding? Am I right?

I took a bow rider out when I was last in spain, it was a focker 222 - wasn't too bad but I can see where you are coming from. Generally quite calm out there though.

Anyhow, what kind of boat would you recommend? I was looking for something that could take 6 comfortably (which this could) - I have a budget of around ?15,000 and I was going for new.

I did look at Searay which by the very nature of the name I assumed would be sea worthy but since they're bowriders too, it obviously won't be!

Thanks.

Chris

 

[ChrisEvans1001]

Re: Maxum 1800MX

PS: They have my signature - it's ordered and deposit paid but I added a few conditions to my order so I can still back out.

 

[KCook]

Re: Maxum 1800MX

The stability is fine, except it may bounce around more in rough water. Flooding is a definite concern. There are boats with open bows designed for the sea, they are considered fishing boats and are called "dual console" boats instead of bowriders. Even though they do have the bow cockpit. As they are sold as fishing boats they are built by different companies than Maxum, Sea Ray, etc. Examples of our dual console builders include Boston Whaler, Grady-White, Key West, and Sea Hunt. But I don't which of these US brands, if any, found their way to SIBS. Of course there are also plenty of European boats this size that will do too. Though their prices may not be as attractive as US boats right now.

While an 18' bowrider has enough seating for 6 adults, its performance with that much weight will be dismal. For 6 adults you need a boat nearer 20 foot in size.

The name Sea Ray is simply a name. No special affinity for the actual sea. Bowriders by this, or Maxum, will be Ok if restricted to those quite calm days. And you don't buzz off too many miles away from the harbor.

Did any of the European boats at the show fit your budget?
Kelly

 

[ChrisEvans1001]

Re: Maxum 1800MX

Hi Kelly,
Thanks. Whilst I understand what you're saying, I can't see the difference (in terms of flooding) between a bow rider and a RIB?

All the boats within my budget new are bow riders, I think one had a cabin in the front but you could barely move in it!

In Spain almost everyday is a calm day and I wouldn't be going more than 2-3 miles from shore.

 

[KCook]

Re: Maxum 1800MX

True, both bowriders and RIBs have open cockpits. It's various details that make the difference. If the RIB has the level of its floor above the waterline then it will be self-bailing. Which means there are ports, or "scuppers", in the hull wall to allow any water to escape the cockpit. A bowrider like the Maxum will depend on a pump in the bilge to get any water out. Which is Ok, so long as the pump is working, and has adequate capacity. Either design will work fine when only a little water gets into the cockpit. If many gallons come on board, then you begin to have a problem. For the RIB, still no that much of a problem because the big tubes provide excess buoyancy. Making it much harder to sink.

Good point, a "cabin" on an 18' boat is really just a big storage bin. Which is why open bows are more popular on small boats. Get up to around the 21' size and a cabin makes more sense.

A calm day makes all the difference. I know that the usual US bowriders are popular in Spain. So they likely work well in the conditions found there. I was concerned that you were expecting to go voyaging across the English Channel

Kelly

 

[ChrisEvans1001]

Re: Maxum 1800MX

Ah No I have no plans of crossing the English channel! I was hoping to sail round to gibraltar though. Of course still calm seas. At what point does this boat become inoperable (in terms of weather)?

To give you some idea of where we are:

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?...___~Point.q0rktsgjkgnk_Gibraltar___&encType=1

That's about 20 miles - and you stay about 2-3 miles from shore during most of the trip so I assume it'll be fairly safe to do that?

The woman told me it'll do around 40mph. You mention it'll be sluggish when we have 6 people on board? What kind of speeds do you think it'll do then?

I'm assuming since it's Spain therefore you think it should be fine in the calm waters we have, if so, I'm going to take it for a "test drive" in a week or two and I'll have 7 people with me then - so I think I'll have a go with just me on and then with everyone piled on to see the difference.

I really appreciate your help. Many thanks.

 

[tommays]

Re: Maxum 1800MX

I HAVE A 2000SC with a 3.0

7 people and a 3.0 = DOG

4 people is fine when you put a LOT of weight in the rear seats it just can not get on plane with the 3.0 power


The only way it works is to run it with a SMALL prop that really limits your speed



Tommays

 

[KCook]

Re: Maxum 1800MX

Depends on your brave pills. With just 2 people on board I would be Ok with the 1800 in waves up to 2 foot. Add 5 more people and my tolerance drops down to 1 foot. No doubt there are other boaters with more powerful brave pills than me.

Frankly, Maxum's 2000 would be a better choice for open water. Note that it's bridge clearance is 4'10" versus the 3'8" on the 1800. Taller boat means higher gunnels means waves have to reach higher to climb into the boat.

Nice map you linked to. Here is a thread on another site that you might enjoy -

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=mby&Number=1362241

At cruising speeds that 20 mile trip will be roughly 45 minutes, not bad. The safety issue is not how far off the beach you are, but how far from the nearest harbor. So at the halfway point you would need 20 minutes plus to reach the safety of a harbor. How much can the wind build in 20 minutes? In any event, you should be prepared to stay over til the next day in Gibraltar, should conditions go to pot while you are in Gib. Having it in mind that you will make the return the same day, "no matter what", is not prudent.

Do ask the blokes on that YBW site. They know those waters far better than me!

Kelly