Need some help on boat histroy! Maxum "challenger"

Brit Rider

OK, so i just got off the phone to a customer and he has just bought what he thinks is a "challenger" made by Maxum.

its a Maxum for sure, as the plate is stamped with this. I first thought he was talking about the "Ski Max" the old V-drive maxum made for a year or two, but he says the engine is mid mounted and its a direct drive Question

Anyone ever heard of this boat? or even better have some pics?
Any help appreciated as hes trying to find out a little about it.... Smile

Thanks,

Brit Rider · Posted: Sep 30, 2004 10:13 am Post subject:

anyone??

Leggester · Posted: Sep 30, 2004 10:44 am Post subject:

Maybe email Maxum and see what they say?

Swass · Guest

Maxum = Bayliner. And yes, Bayliner made a direct drive inboard called the Ski Challenger about....six years or so ago? That boat is no longer in production.

MIKE JOSSA · Newbie Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 4

I own a 1989 ski challenger direct drive with a 240 hp motor. The boat has a built in swim platform something like the older mastercrafts. the boat has a fairly big beam and the windshield is curved at the corners which is very unusual for any boat manufacturer in 89. I've herd from a few people that the boat was made by Bayliner but there is no evidence anywhere on the boat that would indicate that it was? On the windshield and the motor there are stickers that say U.S. Marine. the boat has a modern style and I'm sure most people would think it was a 1995 model or newer. I'll take some pictures this weekend and put them on the post.

Brit Rider · Posted: Sep 30, 2004 11:51 am Post subject:

Swass, any more info?

I have hear dof a bayliner challenger? but i didn't know maxum and Bayliner were conected other than them being owned by U.S Marine/Brunswick??

Was it any good? or was it a bit of a flop like the Ski Max maxum?

Swass · Guest

This is the one I'm thinking of:

http://www.boatshow.com/POWER/2089SkiChallenger.html

MIKE JOSSA · Newbie Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 4

I own a 1989 ski challenger direct drive with a 240 hp motor. The boat has a built in swim platform something like the older mastercrafts. the boat has a fairly big beam and the windshield is curved at the corners which is very unusual for any boat manufacturer in 89. I've herd from a few people that the boat was made by Bayliner but there is no evidence anywhere on the boat that would indicate that it was? On the windshield and the motor there are stickers that say U.S. Marine. the boat has a modern style and I'm sure most people would think it was a 1995 model or newer. I'll take some pictures this weekend and put them on the post.

MIKE JOSSA · Newbie Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 4

I own a 1989 ski challenger direct drive with a 240 hp motor. The boat has a built in swim platform something like the older mastercrafts. the boat has a fairly big beam and the windshield is curved at the corners which is very unusual for any boat manufacturer in 89. I've herd from a few people that the boat was made by Bayliner but there is no evidence anywhere on the boat that would indicate that it was? On the windshield and the motor there are stickers that say U.S. Marine. the boat has a modern style and I'm sure most people would think it was a 1995 model or newer. I'll take some pictures this weekend and put them on the post.

Brit Rider · Posted: Sep 30, 2004 12:09 pm Post subject:

MIKE JOSSA, pictures would be great Smile

so what is the brand of your boat? doe sit say maxum anywhere on it? my customer says that on the plate byt he controls that lists weight, max passengers etc.. it says "maxum boat corp" ???

riverside · Posted: Sep 30, 2004 12:36 pm Post subject:

as i can remember maxum made 2 models.a wake-max (v-drive)and a ski-max.(d-drive)
the challengers where bayliner models called wake challenger and ski challenger.
A wakeboard school near by still uses the Wake max boats,the only 2 models in our country.
there is a giff pic on their site i hope they don,t mind showing it.

http://www.uitvliet.nl/images/2wakemax2.gif

joedirt00 · Posted: Sep 30, 2004 1:42 pm Post subject:

Mike, We get the fact that you own a 89 Ski Challenger, Thanks for the triple post Wink

Brit Rider · Posted: Sep 30, 2004 2:44 pm Post subject:

joedirt00, nothing wrong with making sure evryone saw! Wink

MIKE JOSSA, i apreciate the info bigtime Very Happy

joedirt00 · Posted: Sep 30, 2004 4:35 pm Post subject:

Actually there is a guy out on the lake that I frequent that has one.

Maxum & Bayliner are both owned by Brunswick, but it seems to go much deeper than that now that I have done some digging. Check out this link for a history on Maxum and US marine.

http://www.maxumowners.org/readthisfirst.html

I don't know if this helps with the Challenger questions, But if you own any of these boats it might interest you.

Swass · Guest

A bit biased, don't you think?

Maxum is Bayliner's "flagship." Kinda analogous to Honda and Acura (except Honda and Acura don't suck).

joedirt00 · Posted: Oct 01, 2004 9:51 am Post subject:

Brit Rider · Posted: Oct 01, 2004 10:10 am Post subject:

joedirt00, he must sell alot of boats... Laughing

Swass · Guest

joedirt00, I asked because you seemed to form your opinion at least in part on the link you provided. If I misunderstood, I apologize.

joedirt00 · Posted: Oct 01, 2004 10:40 am Post subject:

Swass

I knew that Brunswick owned Bayliner and Maxum was tied in somehow, But I was surprised to hear that one corp. had their finger in so many different boat manufacturers competing for the same market share(the runabout pleasure boats).
Smart business, they are boing to get a chunck of you money no matter what boat you buy. Wink

Swass · Guest

Check out GenMar. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting one of their boats.

Brit Rider · Posted: Oct 02, 2004 2:32 am Post subject:

jsut out of interest... who owns four winns>? are they independant. I have never heard of them being connected to brunswick.

Damn wish my surname ended in brunswick now!! Rolling Eyes

Sledneck · Outlaw Joined: 10 Jul 2003 Posts: 162 City: Shitby

Back on track.. here's a couple pics of '89 Ski Challenger.. made by US Marine (bayliner)

shagprodigy · Soul Rider Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Posts: 315 City: bothell

hahaha the window shield makes the boat look fast. thats sooooo great.hahah i love the colors to

Sledneck · Outlaw Joined: 10 Jul 2003 Posts: 162 City: Shitby

coorslyte · Newbie Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 16

Riverside is correct or at least partially as far as I know. I used to own a 97 Maxum SkiMax Direct Drive they did also make a V Drive. I bought it new in 97 it had every possible option you could get on except perfect pass. It also actually threw a really nice wakeboard wake. I guess I could also say it had a factory ballast because for some reason it took on water. I know that Bayliner did make the Challenger line around that same time. I did not know that Maxum and Bayliner were the same company. Hope that helps.

riverside · Posted: Oct 04, 2004 12:34 am Post subject:

coorslyte,

yeah most time they leak around the rubrail at the intergrated swimplatform.
like the older maristars do.(i assume your rudderbox and driveshaft seals were ok)
the shoebox fit was only sealed with silicone over time they start to leak.

Brit Rider · Posted: Oct 04, 2004 6:48 am Post subject:

and my local dealer wonders why i'm selling my maxum....

coorslyte · Newbie Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 16

My boat had a removable swim platform. We did check the drive shaft several times but I had not heard of the rudder before. My new Malibu leaks water around were the swim platform brackets are, hopefully my dealer will be able to fix it. It just goes to show that all companies can have problems.