2 boats pros and cons help

[KingTut713]

1997 Sea Ray 175XL vs 2001 Maxum 1800 XR

Purpose of the boat is for pulling tubes/wakeboarding and joy riding.

Sea Ray $4000 vs Maxum $2000 both well
​​​below NADA.

Sea Ray has the 4.3L mercruiser vs Maxum with a 120HP outboard (unable to see brand). If anyone can shed some light on the differences here... The Maxum has less HP but is several hundred pounds lighter. An outboard would possibly be easier to work on?

The Maxum has more seating which is a plus. It is also noted to be in need of a reverse cable adjustment.

Trailers are comparable. Neither comes with Bimini or original covers.

The seller of the Sea Ray seems like a more reliable human being and notes the boat was just serviced and has been cared for. Not to mention I can get to him in 30 minutes.

The seller of the Maxum has been "away" for the past several days and failed to answer my questions. His boat is also located 2 hours away.

I am leaning towards the Sea Ray but I would love to get a nice boat for only $2000. I would be frustrated driving 2 hours to find something that was a deal breaker on the Maxum. At the same time the Sea Ray maxes my budget so I would have to wait on a Bimini and any extras.

Any thoughts comments or concerns are welcome.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

You are really comparing apples and oranges. Broad enough id suggest you put both of them in the water before commiting to either. Of course the first thought is condition of either top to bottom or bow to stern. Either have a major hitch run away. The difference between a 17 foot boat and a 20 foot boat is a lot. The difference between the 4.3 and that 120Hp is more than a lot. Especially given the 4.3 is on a much smaller boat. Obviously overal performance wise the smaller boat with the bigger engine is going to be huge in that part. But a 17 foot boat lacks a lot in rough water and you will find rough water unless your boat lives on a trailer. But an underpowered 20 foot boat is going to bore you to death. Id look for a 19 to 20 foot boat with at least a 4.3 unless its an aluminum boat even then id still want at least as much cowbell as the 4.3 or more.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Sorry Im suffering from demintia or I need to brighten up my screen and did not see your looking at an 18 foot boat. Making the comparison a lot less. as most 17 and 18 foot boats are similar in a lot of areas. Id strongly push you on the 4.3 if the boats mechanicallly and physically sound. I may be biased given Ive owned a 4.3 since 97 and love it still to this day.

 

[Leardriver]

I would lean towards the outboard, even though the Sea Ray started life as a higher end boat. The NADA doesn't mean anything on 20 year old boats. Condition is everything.

 

[tpenfield]

Outboards are easier to access to do work, but the work itself is not always easier. Parts are more $$$, typically.

I/O is better for stern access to do the sandbar thing.

In the end it comes down to what you like and the actual condition of the boats in question. . . . i.e. what's behind the shine.

 

[Scott Danforth]

under $5k for the boats, both at the end of their design life. consider both of them a project. put them in the water, take them for a test, however pick the one in the best condition.

 

[briangcc]

Depending on the boat, the motor on the Maxum *might* be a holdover Force outboard. Proceed with caution as mine was junk from Day 1.

 

[wahlejim]

I would not waste my time with the Maxum. Budget boat to begin with, and without knowing the brand of the outboard, I would assume Force. Every ad I have seen with outboards, if the owner is happy with it, it is displayed prominently. Mercs, Johnson/Evinrude, Yamaha, etc. are almost always displayed properly in the ad. Force/Chrysler, Mariners are always hidden behind horsepower numbers, which seems to be the case here. In addition to that, 2 hours away and dealing with a non-responsive seller is a nonstarter for me. Don't fall into the trap of the $2000 price tag. $2000 does not go very far on a 20 year old boat to make up for the difference, especially if the motor is junk.

I would look at the Sea Ray and insist on a water trial of the boat, offering gas money compensation is proper and fair. If anything doesn't seem right, walk away. A lot of boats will be hitting the market in the next few weeks on colder areas of the country and there are deals to be had.

 

[JimS123]

Condition is everything, of course. I would look at the SeaRay, but wouldn't even waste time with the Maxum.