Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

[crqflier]

Arghh. Can't believe my first post is a "what are your thoughts about these boats" post. But what the heck. I've been researching like mad for a couple months now, prepping for my first boat purchase.

Usage will be family runabout with 2 kids under 10 years old plus the occassional family/friends coming along. Some time in the future we'll be pulling tubes, boards, skis - but right now, just cruising around. Primary location is a high altitude lake with a 35 mph speed limit thats about 10 miles long - Big Bear Lake for those in So Cal.

I like the wider beam boats, but I don't want something too big. So I've eliminated everything that's not ~8' or more beam and 23' is the max length. I'm also leaning pretty strongly towards fuel injected. Budget is 10-14k.

So I've got 3 boats in site. 2001 Sea Ray 190, 4.3l with 93 hours and pretty much loaded, 2006 Maxum 1900 SR3 4.3l with 70 hours with a bunch of stuff extras but not as much as the sea ray, and a 2004 Yamaha sr230 with about 125 hours. They're all +/- the same price. They're all +/- same visual condition.

In general, do you recommend getting the newest boat that fits the need and budget? Or lowest hours? Or? What about maintenance records - seems like people don't keep them like with a well maintained car.

Any thoughts, comments in general or specifically about these three boats?

Thanks.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

I've been hearing really great things about the Yamaha boats!

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

Id get the newest one.....

 

[JimS123]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

The Yami is a jet boat. Not my cup of tea. The Maxum is a "Ford". I'd rather have a "Chevy". The Searay is an "Buick". No choice here. If the owner has service records to prove the required maintenance, and he can show you indoor storage, its no contest. SeaRay wins.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

Take a look at my signature and you can guess my vote!

Get the one that has been maintained inside and out the best and best suits your needs and your eye!

Good luck!

 

[crqflier]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

Take a look at my signature and you can guess my vote!

Get the one that has been maintained inside and out the best and best suits your needs and your eye!

Good luck!

Nice stable.

The Sea Ray is in extremely nice shape, but has been stored outside (under 3 covers). Literally 1 small chip, no rips, tears, stains, scrapes, zip. Also no maint records - the owner clearly maintains all his toys himself. Maxum stored inside - perfect visual shape. Yamaha - great shape, but not quite the same as the first two. Really like the layout of the yamaha - but just not sure about jet boats.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

More data makes for better choices. The SeaRay was stored outside. The Maxum is 5 years newer and was inside stored. The tables just turned. Fords aren't necessarily all that bad.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

The SeaRay was stored outside.

Thats not a deal breaker !!!.

My Sea Ray has been stored outside for the past 23yrs.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

Get on them all in the water if you can. I have never been on a yamaha, but the one maxxum I was on rolled enough that i wanted to get off...while it was still tied up at the dock. Just my opinion.

 

[crqflier]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

None are either at or on the water (storage unit, home, dry dealer), so I'm not too sure I could get on the water without making some type of commitment. Or do owners expect that a test drive is just part of looking (rather than the last step before buying)?

Am I right to think that the more likely repairs on very lightly used boats come with age (electrical stuff, pumps, steering, dry gaskets, leaks, etc.) rather than engine issues (compression, etc.)?

I'll be storing the boat outside until we get a gargage built.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

There's no way to differentiate between the 3 options without looking at each one. There is no substantial difference, so the choice falls on the specific condition each boat is in and then which one you like better.

I think it's ridiculous to dismiss the Searay (or any well-maintained boat) just because it's been stored outside. When you get beyond tin can 14 foot john boats, outside storage becomes a necessity for many. As long as the boat is covered and kept dry inside there's nothing automatically wrong with a boat that's been stored outside.

As mentioned, the Yamaha is a jet boat. Whether this matters to you or not depends on if you have any experience with jets and how you like them. I find them to be an acquired taste. That, apparently, I have failed to acquire. YMMV.

Generally, to be fair to both parties, a test drive is reserved as the last step after all the other details have been worked out and a price agreed to.

Grouse

 

[crqflier]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

Thanks for everyone's comments. Seems like I've got some good choices since people didn't chime in with something like "stay away from that model/year because they're well known for whatever issues". I really like the cabin layout of the Yamaha - tons of room and storage, sit/swim deck, etc. But I'm a little leery about 2 engines (maint) and the fact that there aren't any Yamaha dealers near the lake. For that matter, there aren't any Sea Ray or Maxum dealers either, but I figure any solid service marina can work on those standard boats.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

Indoor storage, outdoor storage, the garage is too smalll, can't afford a garage, whatever. Y'all do what's best for you. If my boat isn't pristime, I sell it. Store it outdoors and it may be fine for you, but it's a deal breaker for me. JMHO.

The sun ruins the tires in half the time, the gel coat ages prematurely, the trailer rusts or at the very least loses its shine, no matter how well you cover the boat it gets moldy inside, the boat stays "dry", but moisture is still everywhere.

My boat has been garage kept for all of its 26 years, and covered besides. Every single part of the rig looks brand new. People mistake it for a 2 year old boat. My friend's boat is only 10 years old and he properly covers it in the summer, and tarps it in the winter. His floor is shot. His upholstery looks like crap and the boat smells of mold.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

My friend's boat is only 10 years old and he properly covers it in the summer, and tarps it in the winter. His floor is shot. His upholstery looks like crap and the boat smells of mold.

No offense, but I'd say there's something he's not doing quite 'properly', or his boat wasn't made very well.

Heck, mine is 11 years old and hasn't seen the inside of a building since it was built. I also keep it covered any time it isn't being used, but it's slipped in salt water all summer and stored outside in the winter. Interior is in excellent (not quite 'like new') condition. No mold, no smells, no floor or any other kind of rot.

My .02

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

No offense, but I'd say there's something he's not doing quite 'properly', or his boat wasn't made very well.

Heck, mine is 11 years old and hasn't seen the inside of a building since it was built. I also keep it covered any time it isn't being used, but it's slipped in salt water all summer and stored outside in the winter. Interior is in excellent (not quite 'like new') condition. No mold, no smells, no floor or any other kind of rot.

My .02

+1. I have a 2000 that has lived outside its entire life and is too big to trailer (easily). It is slipped in brackish water and the cabin is pretty close to perfect. I compound and wax twice a year - should probably do it more often but don't. The only "less than perfect" item I have is the head. Looks like someone tried to clean it with something they shouldn't have and it ate the finish off the bowl.

Bottom line - don't dismiss it just because it wasn't kept in a garage.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

No real answer here. The OP asked for an opinion and we are all giving ours.

In my immediate neighborhood there must be 30 boats on trailers. Except for mine and maybe 2 others, all are kept outside. If that's good enough for them, fine. Its not good enough for me though.

No matter how well the boat is covered, there will undoubtedly be "some" water in the bilge. Even if you diligently wipe it all out, unless you live in AZ there is going to be some moisture there. Cool nights, hot sunny days and you got mold. Its inevitable. OK, so keep the cover off a few days and then you got UV on the upholstery.

When I take the cover off my boat it smells like fiberglass and vinyl. My trailer is painted, not galvanized, and doesn't have a spot of rust anywhere and the finish shines like new. How many 26 year ol boats can claim that?

I guess I'm just too peresnickety....LOL. I built the garages before I bought the boats.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

Sounds like you need to find someone with a Yamaha to take you for a test ride. I think they are neat boats, and they're all over down at the shore where we vacation so obviously people like them. Not something I'd want to purchase without test driving though.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

No real answer here. The OP asked for an opinion and we are all giving ours.

In my immediate neighborhood there must be 30 boats on trailers. Except for mine and maybe 2 others, all are kept outside. If that's good enough for them, fine. Its not good enough for me though.

No matter how well the boat is covered, there will undoubtedly be "some" water in the bilge. Even if you diligently wipe it all out, unless you live in AZ there is going to be some moisture there. Cool nights, hot sunny days and you got mold. Its inevitable. OK, so keep the cover off a few days and then you got UV on the upholstery.

When I take the cover off my boat it smells like fiberglass and vinyl. My trailer is painted, not galvanized, and doesn't have a spot of rust anywhere and the finish shines like new. How many 26 year ol boats can claim that?

I guess I'm just too peresnickety....LOL. I built the garages before I bought the boats.

Beautiful garage!!! I couldn't agree more about the benifits of storing in a garage. I've done it both ways...

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

I wish I could store my dang boat in the garage, but that just ain't happening...not even if I take the wheels off and the windshield off and roll it in on some sort of rollers.

Would be nice, though!

 

[3hog]

Re: Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

No real answer here. The OP asked for an opinion and we are all giving ours.

In my immediate neighborhood there must be 30 boats on trailers. Except for mine and maybe 2 others, all are kept outside. If that's good enough for them, fine. Its not good enough for me though.

No matter how well the boat is covered, there will undoubtedly be "some" water in the bilge. Even if you diligently wipe it all out, unless you live in AZ there is going to be some moisture there. Cool nights, hot sunny days and you got mold. Its inevitable. OK, so keep the cover off a few days and then you got UV on the upholstery.

When I take the cover off my boat it smells like fiberglass and vinyl. My trailer is painted, not galvanized, and doesn't have a spot of rust anywhere and the finish shines like new. How many 26 year ol boats can claim that?

I guess I'm just too peresnickety....LOL. I built the garages before I bought the boats.

if you ever sell a boat let me know lol