Maxum 1900 SC – Advice Please!!! - Maxum Boat Owners Club

scan_man73 · 09-09-2008, 09:58 AM

Hello I have just completed a powerboating course and am itching to get my hands on a boat. Given the amount of rain we are getting here in Ireland I could also be living in it soon!!!

I have been offered a 1998 Maxum 1900 SCL with a 3L MerCruiser engine and would like some advice on it please…

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between a SC and SCL model?

Does anyone have access to the specification of this model and year? All I can find on the Maxum website is the 2001 1900SC model.

I tried to download a user manual for it but I could find the link on the Maxum Website – might anyone have the link to it?

We intend to use the boat on the lake in autumn/winter and on the sea for spring and summer.

Activity wise I have a young family so we would like to do a bit of skiing etc. but also to fish from the boat. I know it is not designed to be a fishing boat but does anyone have experience of using these boats to fish from? Can it be very cumbersome?

Also on the sea we intend to only go a few miles out – how do the Maxums of this size perform when there is a bit of chop/swell?

Any other comments/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Scan_man73

abouttime · 09-09-2008, 04:19 PM

Hi
I have experience of a 1900 sc, with the same engine a 3ltr petrol. Ours had a cuddy cabin and as far as i know the difference in an scl is a bowrider. We used ours in Fermanagh for skiing, fishing and generally good quality family days out. The weather is very changeable down there and any time we were caught out in big waves the boat was grand - family felt safe. Maxums are a great brand and we liked ours so much we changed to a larger new one. I would suggest you give it a go - especially as there is a bit more boating left this season.

Any maxums i have seen for sale are all easily spotted - the good ones are clean, looked after and cared for - ready for a new home - some rougher ones I would avoid.

Good luck

scan_man73 · 09-10-2008, 07:11 AM

Hello abouttime,

Thanks for coming back to me.

The boat we are looking at also has a cuddy, so I am guessing the SC and SCL version are probably the same.

I am assuming when you mention Fermanagh you are probably based around Lough Erne. Have you ever used your Maxum out in the sea? If so how did it perform?

abouttime · 09-10-2008, 10:00 AM

Good morning
No we only used ours in the fresh water. I would be happy enough in the sea with her, its just not my thing!!
Not sure if i would have taken a bow rider too far out to sea with family up front etc but the cuddy gives loads of shelter and leaves your options open.
I forgot to mention that when we skied with our 3ltr we were lifting out of the water on two although my brother who would be a good mono skier was able to do a deep water start on one! the 3 ltr is fine for general watersports and fun but you would need to watch how many adults were on the boat at the time to keep the weight down.
We do boat on lough erne every weekend - there is a bow rider version of what i had for sale thats a nice boat on our site - i could pass you the contact if its any use.
Cheers

tglee · 09-10-2008, 03:38 PM

I don't think there was a 1900SC offered in 1998. But it appears that on other models the SCL indicates two lounger seats, while the SC has bucket seats. Here is a link for the parts manuals: http://www.maxumcustomercare.com/catalogs_index.html

scan_man73 · 09-12-2008, 07:36 AM

Hello abouttime,

Thanks for the heads up. We are taking the boat for a spin this weekend so we will see how we get on. Given the fact that we have young kids we specifically want a cuddy which this boat has.

Thank tglee for the info. Might you have a link to the boat user manuals as well?

tglee · 09-13-2008, 09:31 PM

The original owner’s manual is not very useful.

This is from the Maxum website:

Owner’s Manuals

• The Owner’s Manual contains good general information for all boaters, and includes subjects such as boating safety, operation, care & maintenance.
• These manuals DO NOT contain any model specific information AND cannot be viewed or downloaded at this site.
• There are two versions of this Owner’s Manual:

Sport Boat - part number 1692836 - Covers runabouts and deck boats.

Cruiser & Yacht - part# 1692835 - Covers cruisers and yachts.

Contact your local dealer for ordering information.
NOTE: these two manuals are not model, or year specific.

Newer models included an “Owner’s Manual Supplement” along with the regular manual. But like most boat manuals, these contain very little useful information.

scan_man73 · 09-22-2008, 08:46 PM

Hello tglee.

Thanks for the info.

I am still unsure about using the boat on the open ocean - has anyone used this model in the sea?

Your comments would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Scan_man73

seapuppy · 09-22-2008, 09:26 PM

SM.
that sized boat is concidered a small craft....if there is an SCA posted in the area your at....concider it and make sure you head for home or a safe haven.....
going out into an open ocean is scary ..but it's all common sense...use it and know your boats capabilities as well as yours.....you'll be ok...

But remember....it's a small craft it is more suceptable to water pouring over the sides than a standard cruiser.....

Be Safe...

SP

ps: SCA=small craft advisory

scan_man73 · 09-22-2008, 09:59 PM

Thanks Seapuppy.

The boat is presently based on a lake and we have only had a chance to test it there, hence the reason we are looking for advice.

Given our location we want to berth at a sea marina, and then use it for sports and fishing, but never getting out of sight of land, i.e. 1-2 miles out.

Assuming the weather is OK, is this type of boat designed for this use, or should we consider a different model?

Thanks,

Scan_man73

seapuppy · 09-22-2008, 10:06 PM

SM...I boat in the pacnorwest....we get weather from one extreme to another...somedays it's calm as a mill pond...other days even the 600ft ferries won't venture out....and I've seen boaters out there in small boats like an 18 ft fish and ski....will it handle it??..yes...can you??...I don't know...but as long as your smart about it....use your instincts....wear the proper gear and when the weather turns ugly ..hi tail it for home...yeah...I'd do it....but....and I say this with utmost sincerity......make sure your boat is eqpt with proper radio gear and gps....make sure you know how to use both.....and get one with the DSP system installed as well as getting it registered.........make sure the bilge pump is rigged for auto pumping...meaning with a float switch......as a matter of second thought...I'd install a bigger pump just to be sure....

do those things...and you can be sure the boat will handle it.
where are you thinking of boating ????...ie what are of the ocean??

but this is only my opinion.......
SP

Fly Boy · 09-23-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seapuppy

SM...I boat in the pacnorwest....we get weather from one extreme to another...somedays it's calm as a mill pond...other days even the 600ft ferries won't venture out....and I've seen boaters out there in small boats like an 18 ft fish and ski....will it handle it??..yes...can you??...I don't know...but as long as your smart about it....use your instincts....wear the proper gear and when the weather turns ugly ..hi tail it for home...yeah...I'd do it....but....and I say this with utmost sincerity......make sure your boat is eqpt with proper radio gear and gps....make sure you know how to use both.....and get one with the DSP system installed as well as getting it registered.........make sure the bilge pump is rigged for auto pumping...meaning with a float switch......as a matter of second thought...I'd install a bigger pump just to be sure....

do those things...and you can be sure the boat will handle it.
where are you thinking of boating ????...ie what are of the ocean??

but this is only my opinion.......
SP

Awesome advice, cant stress the RADIO enough. Looks to be a matter of bravery. I myself, wouldnt take anything less than 24' into open water. But then, I am a big chicken. Also maybe consider how the boat does in choppy waters. I myself prefer the less traveled lakes and smoother water, but I also run an 18' open bow. Besides, they say "you cant quit something until you try it."

casinoreverend · 11-13-2008, 08:20 PM

I've been from Huntington Beach, CA to Catalina Island on an 18ft Bayliner (openbow). Would I run MY boat out that far into open waters? Doubtful..but my uncle has been doing it for close to 20 years without a single problem, and still runs the boat this day...