New/used 2004 2400SR opinions

[jrings]

I currently have an 89' 2300sc bowrider that has worked very well for may family of 3 boys and a wife. We would like to upgrade to a newer boat and I came across a 2004 2400sr that is really nice with super low hours. My concerns are as follows:
-This boat weighs ~4300#'s, is the 5.7 Mercriuser with alpha1 outdrive going to be enough or am I going to be very disappointed since I have a 454 w/330hp and can go 60mph now...
-The speed is not super important, but my boys are young and I would like them to learn how to ski within the next couple of years. I wonder if this is the wrong boat to be pulling skiiers and tubes.
-Bottom line is I would like to know if anyone has an estimate of top speed with this motor and what their opinions would be...

Thanks
Joe

[ss3964spd]

Joe,

Perhap not apples to apples, but my wife and I own a 2004 2400 SC3 (cuddy). Our tub is equipped with the 5.7/350 MAG and a B3 drive. Ours probably weighs slightly more than that 2400 SR does.

You didn't mention which version of the 5.7 is in the SR, but the 5.7/350 Mag is rated at 300 HP. I'm pretty pleased with the performance of the 300 HP/B3 combination in our boat. Near the end of last season, on beautiful flat water, I saw a GPS indicated 49.6 with about 40 Gals of fuel and 4 adults on board. The throttle wasn't on the pins, but close.

The 454 makes a boat load more torque than does any version of the 5.7, which allows it to swing a more agressive prop. The SR will likely be just fine for water sports with 5 on board, and it'll burn less fuel over all, but if you're addicted to the speed I think you'll be disappointed.

Dan

[jrings]

I think it is not the Mag. he says it is 260hp. My other question is whether it is fuel injected or not... It only has one prop not like the counterrotating bravo3. what difference will this make? Any Idea what a good price for this boat would be? How accurate is the NADA for this?

[ss3964spd]

I do know that there was a 260 HP version of the 5.7/350, but I don't remember if it is carbed of FI'd.

The B3 drive allows for generally better holeshot (getting on plane, pulling skiers up, etc) and economy, but costs a little bit of top end. Oh, they also help with slow speed maneuvering, don't suffer from prop walk, and help when reversing.

Pricing wise, I have no clue.

Dan

[shrew]

We can no longer view the Maxum archived models online anymore. I would take a look at what the engine options were for the 1989 2300sc and the 2004 2400sr. It sounds like the '89 2300sc came from the factory with the largest engine package, while the 2400sr might be shipping with a smaller engine package. Pulling a skier, particularly a slalom skier from a deep water start will require some HP and torque. I've never seen someone who complain that their boat is overpowered, but there is long line at the 'underpowered complaints counter/dept'.

[ss3964spd]

Originally Posted by shrew

We can no longer view the Maxum archived models online anymore. I would take a look at what the engine options were for the 1989 2300sc and the 2004 2400sr. It sounds like the '89 2300sc came from the factory with the largest engine package, while the 2400sr might be shipping with a smaller engine package. Pulling a skier, particularly a slalom skier from a deep water start will require some HP and torque. I've never seen someone who complain that their boat is overpowered, but there is long line at the 'underpowered complaints counter/dept'.

Yeah, I noticed that the Maxum site has turned into a Bayliner site. Too bad for us Maxum owners, and for those possible purchasers.

Googling 1989 Maxum 2300 SC turns up one listing for a boat fitted with a 5.0 V8. I do know that my 2400 SC3 was available with a pretty long list of engines and I believe the 4.3 V6 was the base so I would have to surmise that the '89 2300 could also be had with any number of different combinations.

After having lived with our 2400 SC3 for two seasons I can confidantly say that I would not want any less of an engine and drive combo than the 350 Mag and B3. The 5.0 and the lower horse 5.7's would be just fine if you only have 2 or 3 adults on board but those are going to work really hard once you get 5 or 6 aboard and 1 or 2 on skis/tubes. We had 7 aboard once for a day of tubing. With 5 on deck and two on the tube the 300 HP engine was just adequate.

[shrew]

SS, that sounds more than just adequate. Is the 5.7 in the 2004 2400sr in question the same HP (300HP) as the 350 Mag? I've seen those 454's listed as both 300HP and 330HP. While the 454 probably has more torque, I would think the power to weight ratio would be better in the small block.

[ss3964spd]

I don't know why Merc confused the matter by referring to some engines in liters and others in cubic inches. 5.7 = 350. I guess "350 MAG" has a marketing ring to it.

A typical, all cast iron Chevy small block (5.0/305, 5.7/350), weighs about 575 pounds while a similar Chevy big block (7.4/454, 8.2/502) will weigh closer to 700 pounds. So, when considering HP vs weight, and using the 300 HP small block and 330 HP big block as examples - you're right Shrew, the small block has a HP to weight ratio of approx 0.522 per pound and the BB is less at 0.471 per pound. Of course, if one compares the 260 HP SB at the same weight to the 330 BB, the BB comes out on top by a bit.

I think it misleading that builders don't list the torque numbers for each engine but HP has been used forever as a selling tool.. HP is a calculated number whereas torque is a measured number, and making torque is what the big blocks do, if for no other reason, because if the increased displacement. I will guess that the 300 HP SB probably makes around 340 foot pounds of torque whereas the 330 HP BB probably makes in the neighborhood of 440. That's an enormous difference.

[jrings]

I went and looked at the 2004 in question again this weekend and my wife and I really like it. It is super clean, 128hours, looks almost brand new. Trailer is in excellent condition also. disk brakes on all 4 wheels, which I was happy to see. I double checked and it is the 5.7 260hp merc. with single stainless prop alpha 1. I don't need to go 60mph like my old boat does. The dealer said his paperwork from the factory says this boat should go around 45mph at WOT. Does that sound accurate. That would be fine for me I think. I am disappointed that I cannot go look at this boat on Maxum.com. I would really like to see the specs. This boat is really the family boat we have been looking for but I am planning on keeping it for at least 15years and I don't want to make a bad decision. They are asking low 20's and the price seems right. We will primarily use this boat for family trips which involve cruising to a cove, throwing anchor, swimming and eating lunch for a couple hours, then taking the kids tubing and skiing for a few more hours and coming home. A couple times a year just the adults will go for a trip which is similar except instead of tubing and skiing we spend much more time drinking and relaxing. Does anyone happen to have this model saved from the Maxum site? Thanks for all the help and opinions.

Joe

[seapuppy]

Joe,welcome to the zoo.......

I think the boat will do about 42 mph WOT....so he maybe stretching the limit a little...but he's close..so..no it won't do 60 mph and your going to have to add some sort of tow ring but I've seen people do that....
...now the problem here is that it's a buyers market...so...you could literally feel good about wheeling and dealing some.....
SP

[ss3964spd]

Originally Posted by jrings

It is super clean, 128hours, looks almost brand new..... Trailer is in excellent condition also...... I would really like to see the specs..... They are asking low 20's and the price seems right..... We will primarily use this boat for family trips which involve cruising to a cove, throwing anchor, swimming and eating lunch for a couple hours, then taking the kids tubing and skiing for a few more hours and coming home. A couple times a year just the adults will go for a trip which is similar except instead of tubing and skiing we spend much more time drinking and relaxing.

That one sounds just like the 2004 2400 SC3 that we bought Joe, right down to the low hours, super clean, good trailer. And we use it exactly as you plan to use yours - mostly boating from meal/drinks to meal/drinks. With the 260 HP engine it might do 45 running very light and on flat water so expect between 40 and 45 realistically. Too bad you can't go take it for a run.

Here's some bits I found on both the SR and the SC3 (the SR is basically the same boat as the SC3) so this might give you a little more information.

http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_v...spx?ID=903#Top
http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?ID=1973

Dan

[jrings]

Wow, Great. Do you pull skiers and tubes? I am mainly concerned with it being underpowered to pull up a skier or tuber... Does yours have the 5.7l 260hp merc with the alpha1 also? Just guessing but with 8 adults I could go maybe 40mph or would that be tough?

[tex'npepper]

I have the brochure for the 2007 Maxum 2400sr3 and it doesn't show a 350 MAG MPI with the alpha I leg. the 5.0 MPI (260hp) with the alpha I leg is the standard option. The 350 MAG MPI (300hp) comes with a bravo I or bravo III. I don't know if the specs. changed between 2004 and 2007 or not. If you are interested, give me your email address, I will shoot you a copy of the standards and options for 2007.

[jrings]

Originally Posted by tex'npepper

I have the brochure for the 2007 Maxum 2400sr3 and it doesn't show a 350 MAG MPI with the alpha I leg. the 5.0 MPI (260hp) with the alpha I leg is the standard option. The 350 MAG MPI (300hp) comes with a bravo I or bravo III. I don't know if the specs. changed between 2004 and 2007 or not. If you are interested, give me your email address, I will shoot you a copy of the standards and options for 2007.

It is not the Mag. Not fuel injected.

[ss3964spd]

Joe,

Our 2004 model year 2400 SC3 has the 350 MAG (300 HP)/Bravo 3 combination. It will pull a 2 person tube or a skier, with 4 or 5 people on deck and with 50 gal of gas, without a problem. Been there, done that.

With the 260 HP 5.7 (which will have more torque than the 260 HP version of the 5.0) I suspect you will get similar performance for water sports. It's simply going to come down to weight. If you have 5 or 6 large body individuals, plus all their gear, plus a full tank of gas (70 Gal), plus food and drink then don't expect it to leap up on plane. You might also ask what prop is on it now so you can consider re-propping if necessary. Ask if it has trim tabs installed. I just installed a set last spring; time-to-plane was reduced because speed to plane was reduced by several MPH.

Dan

[jrings]

Well, I bit the bullet and put an offer in on it. After weighing our options we decided the added room, storage and overall layout suited our family best. If we have to sacrifice a little speed for comfort and amenities so be it. I hope the accept my offer as I am excited to get her. I am a little nervous about relying on my 03' explorer to pull it but I have triple checked the towing capacity and done all the calculations and I should be able to pull up to 7000 lbs with it so I should have a thousand or so to spare. I will be glad to get my truck in a couple years but I need the explorer to do it for a few. Thanks for all the advice.

[ss3964spd]

Congrats Joe, be sure to post up some photos.

Regarding the Explorer - I assume it has the 5.0 V8? What's the rear axle ratio? I ask because I tow our boat with our '04 Silverado 1500 4X4 with the 4.8 and 3.73. With the boat, trailer, and gas weight is somewhere between 6000 and 6500, and that's about the max I'd want to drag around behind our truck. Luckily I only tow the boat a few times a year.

A photo of our 2400 SC3 just after purchase (before getting it cleaned up) and the first time we hooked it up to the truck.

[jrings]

Originally Posted by ss3964spd

Congrats Joe, be sure to post up some photos.

Regarding the Explorer - I assume it has the 5.0 V8? What's the rear axle ratio? I ask because I tow our boat with our '04 Silverado 1500 4X4 with the 4.8 and 3.73. With the boat, trailer, and gas weight is somewhere between 6000 and 6500, and that's about the max I'd want to drag around behind our truck. Luckily I only tow the boat a few times a year.

A photo of our 2400 SC3 just after purchase (before getting it cleaned up) and the first time we hooked it up to the truck.
Attachment 1110

It has the 4.6l V8 with the 3.73 rear end 4x4 XLT sport. see information here.

http://www.niesens.com/hobbies/cars/...pacity.en.html

[seapuppy]

I believe the 4.6 ltr engine is a v6 engine.....congrats...


SP

[davevaill]

i had a expedition with a 4.6l and it was a small v-8. pulled a 94 larson 175 with it and it was great... then got a 96 maxum 2400scr.... no way.... too much for that little engine..... just made it back up the boat ramp barely..... thats a big boat to be pulling for the explorer, i now have have a 5.7L expedition and tow my 1996 2400scr and it's a bit of haul for it as well! don't go far with that little SUV and that big boat..... and by the way i love our boat!!!! you won't go wrong with it! 2 adults and 2 little kids and a lot of water sports and fun in it!!