Thoughts on 1997 MAXUM 2800 SCR

[Ken Kwasniak]

I'm going to be looking at this boat and it is in very good condition. It has a mercruiser 454 with a bravo 3 outdrive. I'd like to get some feed back from anyone who has one like this How is the ride, what is the average GPH and generally what do you like and dislike about it.

Thank you

Ken

[biggerseagar]

The only thing that boat has to do is charm you , Ken! No one else. I'm sure you might get others to offer their 2 cents, but.....

The engine likes gas but you will never have to worry about brut power. The bravo 3 will bite the water like a bear bite. So does the boat fit your needs? Questions you have to ask yourself.

So you find out this is the right boat, get a survey done , do a trial run with the surveyor. Money well spent.

Good luck and let us know if you're going to join the Maxum family.

Roger

[mmwjr]

Like Roger said it's about what you like about the boat.

Hard to say what the GPH will be as it will be based on how you use it can cannot rely on how someone else uses theirs however at cruising speeds I would expect 12 - 15 GPH.

What boat do you currently have and what are you looking for this boat to meet you needs?

[jimq26]

Here's an interesting link re fuel consumption - MerCruiser 454 MPI Fuel Consumption 310 HP (MerCruiser 7.4 mpi v8) MPG GPH Test & Specs US Gallons per Hour

[Ken Kwasniak]

mmwjr Right now I have a Bayliner 2655 Ciera. It is a real nice boat but the Maxum 2800 SCR Has a lot better cabin and cockpit layout that would suit our needs better on a 2 month trip we are planning this year. The Bayliner is forsale. If things don't come together we will do the trip with the Bayliner.

[gmc60]

your in mass ??? where is r trip to ? Im doing block island 6/8,9,10 /2016

[Ken Kwasniak]

Originally Posted by gmc60

your in mass ??? where is r trip to ? Im doing block island 6/8,9,10 /2016

Yes, I'm in MA
For the trip we are doing the Erie Canal, Oswego Canal, Lake Ontario, Thousand Islands, Rideau Canal to Ottawa, Ottawa River to Montreal, St Lawrence to Sorel then the Richelieu River to Lake Champlain then back to Albany N.Y. were we will start.

[gmc60]

So you are taking your boat by water to NY start from there ? all inter coastal ??? that's a great trip .

[gmc60]

i will follow you lol

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by Ken Kwasniak

mmwjr Right now I have a Bayliner 2655 Ciera. It is a real nice boat but the Maxum 2800 SCR Has a lot better cabin and cockpit layout that would suit our needs better on a 2 month trip we are planning this year. The Bayliner is forsale. If things don't come together we will do the trip with the Bayliner.

You can call me Mike

I agree for long term cruising the 2800 will be nicer with more cabin space.

[Winding Down]

My experience:
I sold my Bayliner 1999 2655 (5.7 B3) and bought a 2000 Maxum 2800SCR (twin 4.3"s B2) in 2014. After 2 summers with my Maxum I can certainly agree that 2 months spent aboard would be much more comfortable aboard the 2800 scr. The Bayliner was a great little cruiser and was more economical to operate, (and trailer). However, more cabin space is always nice, including storage, and the dinette is much more comfortable. The biggest advantage is found in the expanded cockpit, and we enjoy the double wide helm, spacious seating and dining area in the rear, and excellent access to the bow through the split windshield. Many have said before: the 2 ft of overall length difference is not nearly as noticeable as the extra foot of beam. It really does feel like a much bigger boat. I would guess my fuel consumption increased by 25%.

[Ken Kwasniak]

Thank you Winding Down. Yours was a very good reply, just the information I was looking for.

[Winding Down]

No Problem.
I certainly haven't spent two months aboard either one of my boats, but i have spent a week at a time. Boats have a funny way of shrinking in size the more we use them.
Oh yes, there is also a big difference in the quality and comfort of the ride.

[Phillbo]

I have a friend with the same boat. It was a real dog when loaded and struggled to get up on plane. He finally put on a set of 4 blade props and it made a big difference.

[Chillaxintoo]

Phillbo, Do you know what engine/Drive Combo he had. I have been trying to come up with a solution to this same problem. My boat is a 1998 2800SCR. It has the 7.4L MPI engine (single) and Bravo III drive. I have 22P props (3 Blade) and it won't plane with 5 or 6 on board unless I send at least 3 of them down into the cuddy. I was considering the Hill Marine 4by4 props but it's a lot of coin to drop not knowing if it will help my situation. I have also thought about upgrading the stock Trim Tabs to larger ones. According to the Bennett Selector, the tabs Maxum put on are way too small for the boat. Has anyone done this and if so, did you find it helped?

[Phillbo]

Chill, my friends boat has the same engine and outdrive. He purchased his from Hill Marine. Call them, they are very helpful and I believe the have a great return policy if the props do not provide the improvement you expect.

[Chillaxintoo]

Thanks for the info Phillbo, all the stuff on Hill Marine props sounds great but hearing about someone's results with the same boat/engine/drive combo really makes me think I should give them a try.