Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

[RCSConstruction]

Hi everybody.
I have been lurking around the boards for awhile as I am getting ready to purchase a boat.
I have been looking at 19-22' runabouts. I really like the Maxum's.
From what I have read the 4.3 is going to be about the best for me. 4-6 people, light skiing, fishing. Mostly local lakes,bays and the river.
If you had around 12,000 to spend on an open bow which one would you buy?
There is a few 1900sr's and a 2200sr for around 12-14,000 with around 80 hours on all three of them.
Any other brands? Would an older more well built boat be better than a newer model?
Thanks for any and all help.
Take care.8)
P.S.
If there is a thread similar to what I am asking can you give me a link. I did do a search but didn't net me anything concrete.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

Maxum and Bayliner are made by the same company. Basically, the Maxum is just a fancier Bayliner.

There are many other brands that you can look at that make similar boats...SeaRay, Chaparral, Four Winns...the list goes on.

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

So it's safe to assume they are all evenly matched in this class of boats?
Is there a "best bang for your buck" in this class of boats?
Thank you for your reply.

 

[KCook]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

For 6 people my druthers would be a V8.

Maxum is not just fancier than the Bayliner. Fit and finish are better as well. Chaparral and Sea Ray are definitely nicer, with higher prices.

There is no one slam-dunk choice for best bang-for-the-buck simply because few of us can agree on what flavor of bang is the most important. Different strokes for different folks. If you like Maxum, fine, Maxum is a fair choice, for its price point.

Here are some more threads -

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=1;gtid=431110

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=1;gtid=607672

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=1;gtid=659343

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=1;gtid=801256

Kelly Cook

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

Wowwww..
Great links. TY very much.
Funny, I saw a few sea rays and a chapparall for just a little more money.
Would you get a 2000-01 sea ray verses a 2004 maxum?
Seems like the V8 option bumps it up at least 1500-2000. I may just "work" the engine a little.
I will do a search and see if there's any modification discussions.
Thanks again

 

[tommays]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

As a maxum owner i think its pretty safe to say that bayliner/maxum/searay are pretty much just pimped up in that order

They all have the ame power package and will are give good service if well careded for

NONE of the boats is vastly better built in the areas you can not see

I would not buy any of them that did not have a FULL fiberglass liner for a floor as WOOD floors have always been a weak point and a starting place for ROT


Mine is 95 2000 SCR and is as good as new i use it in choppy salt water with many trips in the ocean and there are no cracks or leaks other than matiance of some areas that needed new caulk after about 10 years

Tommays

 

[Zackman]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

Seems like the V8 option bumps it up at least 1500-2000. I may just "work" the engine a little.

You'll spend a lot more than that to "work" the motor to get the kind of hp from a V-8. Remember this will be a marine engine and not a auto or off road motor. Get the boat with a V8, you won't be sorry.

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

Thank you everyone.
I have a much better understanding now and will let you guys know what I decide. ( I will post pics like a proud daddy)
I understand newbies probably come in here twice a week and ask the same/similar question I did, so thanks again for taking time out to respond.
Be safe out there everyone!8)

 

[KCook]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

Would you get a 2000-01 sea ray verses a 2004 maxum?

No way you will get a definitive answer to that. Completely up to individual preference. Sea Ray is very popular, but not my choice for top boat in the sub-20 sizes. In that size range I like Bryant best, but they can be hard to find. Easier to find are Chaparral, Crownline, and Ebbtide. In used boat shopping I would say power trumps brand. Rather have a 220hp Maxum, Caravelle, Glastron GX, or Monterey than a 190hp Sea Ray.

There are a few other important features to consider. Tommays already mentioned a cockpit liner. To that option add EFI motor, swim platform, wakeboard tower, and transferrable warranty. Again, to different boaters these options will have different rankings in importance.

Kelly

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?


2000 Reinell 203 20' 3" Great family boat. Open bow, seats 8, bimini top, swim deck, sun lounging deck, ski tow, Inboard/outboard Volvo/Penta GL 5.0 engine, tandem trailer with detachable tongue. We have only used this boat a hand full of times. Motivated to sell, make us an offer!

They are asking 12,500.
If sold for say... mid-to-high 11's.... a good steal?
Thanks

 

[KCook]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

About the right size boat for 6 people. For price comparisons I would use Glastron, Larson, Maxum, and Rinker. A Reinell is typically priced less than Crownline, Four Winns, or Monterey. Here is a good thread on researching used boat prices -

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=1;gtid=723563

Kelly

 

[tmh]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

Your range of 19-22' is a BIG range for runabouts. Very different boats in that range, As far as power goes, a modern 4.3 may be fine for the 19' but a dog on a bigger boat. Certainly NOT similar power needs between 19' and 22'.

Different brands make different handling boats also. A deeper V tha is heavier may need bigger power, even though it's the same size as a more shallow/lighter boat. A 19' Stingray boats, for example, may fly along with a 4.3 while a Searay is just OK with it. Hit some chop, and the Stingray gets rough, while the Searay may plow through.

None are "wrong" just know what you want is all. I Do agree that too little power for the boat will make you always wish you had something else. Not worth the risk.

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

Duly noted about the V-8.
I have crossed off the v6 from my list. I always pack heavy where ever I go and like all motors, you can never have enough.
I have it narrowed down to a 19-20 ft 5.0 or 5.7L.
I have read that the OMC is getting hard to find parts for so I will steer clear of those. I haven't seen any, when was the last year for them?
Is there a few things to look at first? A few tricks to check health of out drive?
I know my motors very well so that I am not concerned about that.
The out drives are just new to me.
Should I get in the boat and stomp around?(feel for soft spots)
If I do get people to agree to a water test what things should I do?
Other than making sure everything works, cables,gauges,throttle,top speed,etcc.. what is a good trial to put the boat through?
Why all the single axle trailers? I like having 4 tires..:'(
I was trying to find a good heated debate about outdrives but have gone blind using the search button...
Thanks for all the replies. I have tripled my knowledge in 24 hours because of you guys.
Be safe everyone!!

 

[KCook]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

I agree. For boats 20' and up the dual axle trailer is a REAL good idea! The single axle under my 19' Chris-Craft held it up Ok. But it did bounce a bit. And I was very grateful that I never had a flat tire with it .....

Kelly

 

[tmh]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

Soft spots on the floor - automatic no-buy for a used 20' for around $12k. IF you wanted to get one real cheap, maybe you could replace a floor, but it's a huge pain. Soft spots = rotten floor and likely stringers so check everywhere!

Test it with a full load (entire family if you can) to make sure it handles the load OK. With you're last comments about only looking at V8s you should be OK on power.

I'm no expert, but when I did a test drive I ran it through some wakes/chop; did some fairly sharp turns at cruising speed, checked for acceleration - the bow should not go up for a long time if it's trimmed correctly. Expect some control issues at no-wake speed with a sterndrive, but it should handle reasonably (some don't, mine included - I learned about this AFTER my purchase).

Obviously, check that the throttle moves freely, the boat starts fine (tell owner you want to start it cold),

Good luck.

 

[hibbert6]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

Not only is a water check-out a must, but if there's any doubt about your tow vehicle's ability to handle that size boat, ask to let your vehicle pull it out of the water and up the ramp.

Fortunately, I got my Dad to ask for that when he looked at his first boat. It was an 18' I/O tri-hull. His truck was a Dodge 6 cyl with a manual tranny. As he tried to pull the boat up the ramp, his clutch just began smoking! He couldn't pull the boat up the ramp.

He liked the boat so much he bought a new truck to tow it with!8)

Dave

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: Maxum? Bayliner? Which is the best/better?

Hey, thanks again all.
I feel confident enough to pull the trigger. I am going to watch the ads for another week to see what is still for sale and average prices.
10-4 on the weight. Between the boat and a 11' cabover the 8.1 will probably be sucking gas big time.
Should have got the DMax....lol
Stay safe everyone