Newbie advice required - Maxum 18/1900 or Chaparral 2350 queries

[mil1194]

Hi all,

I have to admit to not knowing a lot about boats - but have decided this is the time as the weather is/has been gorgeous and have been looking at cheapie boats - namely as the title suggests. I had been looking and looking online for a Maxum ( pref. the cuddly version) and then a yard had a chaparral 2350sx for sale. Is there anything specifically to look out for or just buy with your eyes. What are the reputations for either of these? Are they highly regarded or to be avoided with a barge pole?

Also I realise the 2350 is a much bigger machine so whilst looking at those are there any other names worth looking at?

Any thoughts welcome,

Thanks

 

[Spi D]

Both makes are well known, Chaparral regarded a higher quality boat than Maxum ("the well dressed sister of Bayliner").
As you say, the ones considered are also of different sizes so hardly comparable. Budgets (invest- and operate-) will be different too.


That said, no boat is better than the TLC it received and a survey (pro or, if knowledgeable, yourself-/friend) is a must.

 

[oGaryo]

My advice.. focus on the condition of the engine and sterndrive as your priority (by someone who knows their marine mechanics), then get on to checking everything else out. Re the choice of boat, try and ask yourself what you intend to do with it before choosing. Once purchased, you'll probably change your mind though, many do, myself included. Post an update on here with how you want to use the boat and that should then allow those in the know to guide you further. As an exmaple, do you want to ski, tow toys, overnight, stay in a marina for an extended period, go cruising or just do short hops between places, go fishing, go by yourself, go with family etc etc

 

[mil1194]

Thanks both, going to see one again today (Maxum 1800). I know its not going to be the right one (is any boat?!) but it'll be fun for whats left of this season and we'll have a much better idea for next year and spend more money after we've worked out what we want.

Thanks

 

[lanerboy]

I used to have a regal 1800 with an Isuzu turbo diesel engine it was ace and never let me down once great on fuel and quick

 

[mil1194]

How on earth can you go from looking at Maxums etc originally and end up looking at a Rinker Fiesta 250V..... Sigh.

 

[landlockedpirate]

How on earth can you go from looking at Maxums etc originally and end up looking at a Rinker Fiesta 250V..... Sigh.

The same way I started looking at a 3m Zodiac many years ago

Gary is your man for the Rinker, he had a 250. I'm guessing you found the Maxum a lot smaller on the inside, than it looks on the outside ? (Or your better half did )

 

[mil1194]

What are the general thoughts on a Four Winns 195 sundowner. Volvo 4.3 I think was in the one we're looking at over the weekend. This getting back to the right size for the job!

 

[landlockedpirate]

Good boats, mid to higher end of the market. Service history on the engine and leg probably the most important thing to look for. If its been used near beaches or trailed its likely the universal joint will be shot (powering onto trailer or beach with leg in trailer position), so budget for joint and bellows. Cuddy a good size and because they have a decent name resale (at the right price) will be pretty easy.

 

[mil1194]

Good boats, mid to higher end of the market. Service history on the engine and leg probably the most important thing to look for. If its been used near beaches or trailed its likely the universal joint will be shot (powering onto trailer or beach with leg in trailer position), so budget for joint and bellows. Cuddy a good size and because they have a decent name resale (at the right price) will be pretty easy.

Thanks for that. I'm going to look and go for a 'spin' in a 195 tomorrow. Money deal is done and depending on the trail then she'll be coming home with us.

 

[mil1194]

Well there is a day lost that I never get back.... 450miles, £180 of diesel and disappointment! The search continues......

Weymouth is nice thou!

 

[landlockedpirate]

Well there is a day lost that I never get back.... 450miles, £180 of diesel and disappointment! The search continues......

Weymouth is nice thou!

What was wrong with it ?

 

[mil1194]

What was wrong with it ?

Sorry LLP - thought I'd replied but been manic the last few days. BASICALLY it wasn't as described, various damaged 'bits'/things to replace, clueless owners, generally underwhelmed when I got off the boat. Then the drive wouldn't lift.... This may have been very simple to resolve but their 'fault finding' methods left a lot to be desired and they had done all servicing/maint 'inhouse' and by then I/we'd had enough. Hope that helps lol!

 

[enterprise]

It's true you will probably not find the right boat the first time around, that said if you do some prep you might get one that will last a couple of seasons while you learn the ropes and highlight what the next boat must have to improve the experience.

Our first boat was like many an open 16'6 speedboat with no accommodation and 5 seats (Picton 166 Royale), Initially we thought watersking would be the main use but after use it turned out we enjoyed relaxing at anchor in a sunny cove more, even so we kept it for 7 years and had great fun with it but each time we used it watersking became less of a priority.

The weather determined to a great extent if we would use it, no accommodation meant no shelter and no warmth, so if there was any question of rain or cloud I would be the only one wanting to launch it and if it cleared later in the day it was usually too late to change our plans so we missed quite a few outings as a result.

IMHO we picked our first boat on price and size rather than an understanding of what we required as a family, looking back I'm amazed we actually kept it for 7 years, however we knew exactly the sort of boat we wanted the second time round.

Cabin, Shelter, Loo, basic cooking, overnighting ability (cuts down the bills) etc etc, so we had at least some idea of the basics required to improve what we had previously, even so we found that given our improved basic requirements price ultimately was the deciding factor, so bought a small trailable cruiser (Bayliner 2255 ciera).

We had exactly matched our requirements the second time around but not before long the requirements changed again, Fridge, hanging locker, electric windlass, heating, diesel engine (instead of the previous petrol's) etc etc, so you see the pattern emerging which I'm sure most of the readers here recognise.

We now have (on our 4th attempt) some where near where we want to be, the first boat was probably right when we had no experience to draw upon, the second and third improved our understanding of what it is about boating we enjoyed, our current boat gives all the requirements at the moment, now it's all about size and comfort instead of improving the basics.

If you can therefore think of some of the basics that make a lot of sense in the uk like cuddy, canopy, basic washing and cooking, possible overnighting etc etc then you will have a lot more enjoyment to start out with (and possibly miss the expense of boats 2 and 3 on our journey).

Give us an idea of budget and we can probably help with suitable boats to look at.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Andy

 

[Spi D]

True that a bit of homework is needed. I've viewed boats all over Europe and definitely learned that thorough questioning, request for RECENT closeup photos of details and description of previous use, maintenance and service contributes big time your qualification of objects worth travelling to assess.

The term "mint" or "excellent" appears to have very different meanings in various contexts :ambivalence:

 

[landlockedpirate]

Every time someone tells me a boat is 'mint' I automatically assume that its got a hole in it

 

[mil1194]

Thanks all for contributions. Have got to the point where I'm almost bored of the idea and prefer the idea of going out with friends or renting/hiring etc when needed/wanted! No doubt I'll have changed my mind by the end of the weekend so watch this space!