Maxum boats....quality?

[xlur8ed]

In my continued search for a boat, I have come across one locally that I may dig a little deeper into. It is a 94' Maxum 1800XR with Mercury 115hp outboard. Can anyone attest to Maxum quality/build? I see they make some big yachts as well, but I am looking for the info on these little guys from the mid 90's

Thanks all!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

They are part of the Brunswick Corporation and that division was shut down in the last few years. They were a touch upscale from the Bayliner line but not as popular.

Not a bad combo being a 1994.

 

[CaptNCamille]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

i have a 27' 2006 Maxum, and have had very few problems with it. However, as with any older boat, the care and maintenance it received over the years is probably more important than the brand name.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

Can anyone attest to Maxum quality/build?

Ayuh,... They're on-par with Bayliners...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

'94 is plenty old enough to have rot in the wooden components of the hull. Check it very carefully. ANY soft spots in the deck are usually indicative of more serious rot below in the stringers.

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

Being an owner of a newer Maxum, I can tell you that this is definitely not the case. While they share the same parent company as Bayliner and Sea Ray, the build is definitely different.

I can't speak for 1994, but in 2008 the Maxum hull is completely fiberglass (this was confirmed by someone at Maxum) and the deck and sole are a fiberglass liner with wood only in locations where something is bolted thru the floor. Bayliner, as recently as 2008, was still using a wood floor covered in carpet and wood in the stringers. Accessories like cleats and handles are going to be stainless in the Maxum and not chromed or plastic like the Bayliner.

I'd say that they're more on par with Sea Ray than Bayliner.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

Agree with TBarCYA - I have not had any issues with my 2008 whatsoever - either with the performance or with the build quality. I really am 100% satisfied. Hasn't let me down once. I did have a couple of issues with two dealer installed items that were resolved under warranty.

IMO with any boat that is a 1994 - I would be most concerned about how it was maintained, stored and cared for as opposed to who built it.

Good luck.

 

[xlur8ed]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

Appreciate the responses, I completely agree with judging a 20 year old boat on maintenance rather than nametag, however I am not educated in this industry, and don't want to buy a boat that was a built as a 'very cheap' boat from the get go. If it is a 'nicer' of the 1994 offerings, I would be more inclined to trust a name brand. I am far from seeking a 'cool' name, just looking for a bit of background on the boat builds from the start. For those that don't recall, I am the guy that has been going back and forth on a 92' Glastron. The Glastron appeared to have a fiberglass bow, which spoke volumes to me, because that is one less area to be majorly concerned with for rotting, whereas this boat has a wood floor in the bow.....

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

xlur8ed, I think you need to educate yourself just a little further so you don't make a mistake. Your quote about the Glastron raises some red flags for me. The "fiberglass floor" in the bow of the Glastron it just a molded in part of the cap. It's still sitting top of the same plywood deck as the rest of the boat and as the Maxum. So it's really not a selling feature. As you've started to see, brand name means practically nothing when you're looking at older, inexpensive boats. I'd much rather have a well maintained Bayliner than a neglected Bayliner.

Although it's a long read (and watch) I would recommend checking out at least the first part of friscoboater's SeaRay rebuild thread. It will give you a GREAT idea of what you're looking for when inspecting a used boat and will also show how these boats are generally constructed.

 

[jkust]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

When you are talking about any boat of that vintage, the brand or positioning within its peers is secondary to just having a solid, well maintained boat. Back in 1994, I'd have taken a new Maxum every day and they were noticably nicer than their Bayliner brother. That was a different era though. I think it's apples and oranges to try to compare a 2008 Maxum owner's experiences with a 1994 Maxum. If I'm buying a boat that old, I would disregard the name completely and focus on its soundness and maintainance first. Fast forward to the above users with the late 2000's boats and it's hard to even find a bad boat since they are lightyears ahead. Other than some of the higher end boats that charge a big premium, most of the middle of the road brands are competing at the margins.

 

[Slide]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

Having just purchased a 1997 Maxum 2300SC a month ago, I can attest to the fact that the quality of these boats is top notch. Maxum is a luxury brand and the amenities live up to it. That said, like any boat this age, its real quality is based on how well it was cared for. My boat was fortunate enough to spend the first 9 years of its life in the hands of a Maxum mechanic and the last few with a very methodical owner, so everything was in great shape.

Do your due diligence, check carefully for soft spots especially in the motor mounts and ski locker, and do some research to find the other red flags you should be looking for. From a purely brand-based perspective, though, I couldn't be more satisfied with Maxum. It's a shame the brand is gone now so parts may be hard to find - keep that in mind.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

brand is gone now so parts may be hard to find - keep that in mind.

Wouldn't worry about that. You can't get parts for pretty much ANY boat after a couple years.

 

[xlur8ed]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

xlur8ed, I think you need to educate yourself just a little further so you don't make a mistake. Your quote about the Glastron raises some red flags for me. The "fiberglass floor" in the bow of the Glastron it just a molded in part of the cap. It's still sitting top of the same plywood deck as the rest of the boat and as the Maxum. So it's really not a selling feature. As you've started to see, brand name means practically nothing when you're looking at older, inexpensive boats. I'd much rather have a well maintained Bayliner than a neglected Bayliner.

Although it's a long read (and watch) I would recommend checking out at least the first part of friscoboater's SeaRay rebuild thread. It will give you a GREAT idea of what you're looking for when inspecting a used boat and will also show how these boats are generally constructed.

I am on page 10 of friscoboaters thread, and it makes me feel like I need to give up on boats. Water gets into boats, boats are made of wood, water + wood + time (budget allows for a 1990-1995') = rot. Had that one corner in his boat not been rotten, he would have never known the condition underneath.... I say that from a buyer standpoint....If I inspect every inch of the floor, that does not mean underneath is not in complete shambles. Almost takes the fun out of getting a boat, knowing chances are high that you have problems below the deck, even if all appears ok from up top. Maybe it is time for a new rifle, grill, etc instead....

 

[hostage]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

I have a Maxum and love mine, I suprise people when I tell them it is 11 years old (2000 Maxum 1900 SC). Like many others say at that age, owners have more of an impact than the name.

I started looking at mid 90's boats and for not much more I got something a lot better.

 

[jkust]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

Yep it seems where our mainstay runabout brands are concerned, that the late 90's for some and early 2000's for others is when they started to contemporize their brands. If I was to buy a boat that age, I'd be seeking out a garaged boat if at all possible. Every now and again I'll see a mid 90 one owner for sale which would be nice too. On the other hand I viewed some 3 year old boats when I bought my sig boat that looked like they went through a battle and bought almost as a disposable toy.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

If you want to get on the water cheaply, an aluminum hull with an outboard has the least chance of financial ruin.

 

[jeepnsam]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

DON'T GIVE UP ON BOATS!

Just check "everything" and i do mean "everything. Be patient, have it surveyed by a qualified Marine Mechanic..make your purchase and enjoy the water.

i purchased by 1995 Searay from the original owner, and yeah I had to fix a few things here and they're..but I got lucky I guess. I ripped the old carpet out and everything looked solid. Most recently, I added SX Smart Tabs which means I have to drill a lot of holes in the transom..and guess what?? nothing by dry fiberglass and air. No mush, no water and not rot. I loaded those holes up with a lot of 3M 4200 before securing the screws.

I read zillions of threads on iboats for an entire year (educating myself) before I looked at my 1st boat. The 2nd one i did see...well...she's mine now

Happy Boating

 

[smasturzo]

Re: Maxum boats....quality?

I have a 1993 Maxum. Bought it new in 1993. Quality is top notch. Haven't had a major issue with it in 18 years and it's still going strong.