Newbie choices - Sea Ray, Yamaha, Maxum??

[sethjon]

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

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.

Sea Ray is a great boat. The 4.3 is not ultra strong depending on what you wanna do with it but reliable. If possible, try to get a tandem trailer although at that price its doubtful.

 

[sethjon]

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

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.

Big Bear is darn cold for skiiers or tubers. Theres a lake nr Magic Mtn that is much better. I cannot recall the name.

 

[BTMCB]

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

Big Bear is darn cold for skiiers or tubers. Theres a lake nr Magic Mtn that is much better. I cannot recall the name.

Castaic is the name of that lake. Then there is pyramid a bit north of that and Piru further west of magic mountain. I have taken my boat to all of them as well as big bear. The latter ( big bear) is the most scenic by far. To the OP, you will have to make certain you are propped right to get the best performance at the higher altitude of big bear. Again, good luck.

 

[crqflier]

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

Thanks for all the additional responses. The searay and yamaha are fuel injected. the maxum and new entrant bayliner capri 215 (5.0 litre, 100 hours, stored inside, etc) are both carb. For the altitude should i stick to injected only?

the 4.3 injected on the searay is 220hp with moderate pitch stainless prop (no dings or scrapes). all others have original alum props.

the maxum is dropping price a ton - wants it gone. could get it for $2k less than the searay. and the bayliner is very flexible on price - probably 1500 less than the searay. the searay is ultra firm on ask price . really amazed by this. likely the best overall combo all things considered. only concern is it might be a bit slow.

big bear is cold. for sure. doubt we ever go to castaic - more likely to pull it down the mountain to the ocean. but that's where we plan to keep the boat. so i suppose i could have a carb engine tuned for altitude.

 

[hostage]

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

I have a 2000 Maxum 1900sc and I love it I have heard good comments aBout searays. IMHO get the one that looks like it has been taken care the best.

 

[crqflier]

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

Sea Ray seems to be the best cared for. Engine starts no problem. Extremely clean engine bay. Owner has only done oil changes and a recent gear oil change, batteries. No other wear or age-based maint (no hoses, impeller, plugs, wires, belts, etc.). I'll get any boat I buy inspected, but it seems like a 9 year old boat would have had more routine maint by now. No records on the others.

 

[bowler]

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

I envy your position! Lots of good options to choose from.

Brand is all well and good but condition is key. I looked at 2 searays (amongst others including an older mastercraft which was a dog) and ended up with a maxum that was older than both searays. The searays were salt water boats and were not in as good a shape (corrosion around the engines and the need for replacement risers/manifolds etc on the horizon). Maxum had been on freshwater all its life so my choice was easy.

D.