Thank you for reading our post, please rate this article at the end.
Last Updated on August 22, 2024 by Paul Clayton
Table of Contents
Who Makes Maxum Boats?
Maxum boats are made by one of the most prominent names in the boating industry. Two years after the Brunswick Corps bought Bayliner, the company created the Maxum brand.
Furthermore, this purchase, at the time, was the biggest ever, as the brand paid a whopping $470 million for it. Other giant brands of the Brunswick Corps always overshadowed the Maxum boats.
Moreover, the brand has always seemed a bit lost in its identity. Continue reading to know everything about the Maxum Brand: its creation, production over the years, and its decline. I have listed everything, including the owners’ comments to give you the most reliable information.
The Maxum brand was well respected and buying or at least reviewing the used models available near you would be a good idea if looking for an older boat. CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FOR A WALK THRU.
The Brunswick Corporation
The Brunswick Corps is an American corporation, established in 1845. Since then, it has spread across 24 countries, serving in over 170 markets. Moreover, the corporation initially focused on manufacturing a wide variety of products.
However, during its course, it has shifted most of its attention to producing recreational boats. The Global headquarter of the Brunswick Corporation is situated in Mettawa, Illinois, just north of Chicago.
In 2000, the Corps made the Brunswick Boat Group manage the 45 boat brands under its name.
The Brunswick Boat Group (BBG)
The Brunswick Boat Group has produced some of the best boats in the world. The award-winning lineups include Bayliner, Sea Ray, and the Boston Whaler.
Furthermore, it is safe to say that the BBG is the largest producer of pleasure boats in the whole wide world. Within five years of its formation, the BBG acquired a total of 13 additional brands under its name.
I have listed some brands which have been the spearheads of the BBG. They have generated the most revenue in sales. Furthermore, I have made a separate portion of an in-depth analysis of the Maxum Boat line as well.
BBG produced the following fan favorites:
Some Popular Subsidiaries of The Brunswick Boat Group
Bayliner
Bayliner is the leading producer of recreational boats in the world. Moreover, it has spread across 60 countries with over 400 dealers. Multiple countries produce all 25 models of the brand. 175 Bowrider is the most popular model of the Bayliner series.
Boston Whaler
As the name suggests, this band was based in Massachusetts. However, Florida is now in charge of the company. The recreational boats are equipped with Mercury engines. Perhaps the most striking thing about this brand is that the US Navy SEALS used it in the Vietnam War.
Sea Ray
This subsidiary is famous for its state-of-the-art recreational motorboats. The Sea Ray includes a wide variety of boats. Because they contain boats ranging from 17-feet power cruisers to 65-feet yachts. Sea Ray’s model was the first ever to be constructed using fiberglass.
A Recent Acquisition
Over its long journey, the BBC has bought the ownership of many brands. BBC acquired the Freedom Boat Club (FBC) in May 2019. The most established marine franchiser in all of the US is still the FBC. It is a members-only club. Moreover, it offers the members various perks to ensure the members’ satisfaction.
The Maxum Boats
Maxum Boats are really just fancy Bayliner boats. Maxum boats continue to be popular among boating enthusiasts, with many still in use today. The boats were well-regarded for their sleek designs, comfortable interiors, and excellent performance, and remain a testament to the quality of the Maxum brand.
History
Maxum Boats was founded in 1987 in Arlington, Washington, by Bill and Bob Heald, two brothers with a passion for boating. The company started as a small manufacturer of high-quality fiberglass boats, and quickly gained a reputation for producing stylish and affordable boats.
Moreover, the first plant for manufacturing these boats was established in Pipestone, Minnesota. The plant employed over 300 employees. Furthermore, another plant was inaugurated in Salisbury, Maryland. This one produced fine cruisers as it had over 200 employees.
Over the years, Maxum Boats grew into one of the largest and most successful boat manufacturers in the United States. In 1993, the company was acquired by Brunswick Corporation, a leading producer of marine engines and equipment. Under Brunswick’s ownership, Maxum expanded its product line and distribution network, and continued to innovate with new designs and features.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Maxum Boats became known for producing a wide range of pleasure boats, including bowriders, cuddy cabins, and cruisers. The company’s boats were popular with boaters of all types, from families looking for a day on the water to serious anglers and cruisers.
It was originally meant to introduce innovative boats in the market. However, BBG used mostly used parts from the older boat lines like Bayliner and Sea Ray. The Maxum series included recreational boats as well.
Popularity Over The Years
Maxum boats have been quite mediocre when it comes to ruling the boating industry. Unlike the BBG’s other premium lineups, the Maxum boats did not leave much of an impact. Since its introduction, the BBG has invested a lot in the Maxum boat line. However, the Maxum boats, despite all their flaws, are still excellent and competitive. You can review some of the most popular Maxum models below.
Some Excellent Models
- Maxum 2400 SE – featuring a 25m long hull.
- Maxum 2400 SCR – featuring a 220hp Mercruiser engine.
- Maxum 2300 SC – featuring a perfect fiberglass hull.
In case you are also wondering which cabinet cruiser to buy to add to your boat, I have got you covered. Check out The Top 10 Cabinet Cruisers.
Discontinuation of Maxum Boats
In August 2009, BBG banished the Maxum boats. As they wanted to cut the production cost due to various reasons, they discontinued five boating lines including the Maxum.
Moreover, the decision was not abrupt. Some well-planned incentives backed up this approach. Multiple factors contributed to the decision getting revoked, the biggest being the company’s declining economy.
The Declining Economy of the Brunswick Boat Group
The BBG spent a roundabout of $400m to establish the Maxum brand. It was not a formidable period in their economics.
Furthermore, the Maxum boats used the same hull as those of the Bayliner boats, but with a higher price tag. Moreover, this caused fierce competition among BBG’s lineups.
This video has been included for its clarification of the topic matter. Credit goes to
GulfStreamBoats
- Robalo
- Trophy
- Cobra
- Kayot
- Arriva
To Recap
Maxum Boats was a brand of pleasure boats that were produced by the Brunswick Boat Group, a division of Brunswick Corporation. The Maxum boat line was known for producing a range of high-quality, stylish, and affordable boats that were popular with boating enthusiasts.
The Maxum boat lineup included a variety of boats, ranging from small runabouts to larger cruisers. Some of their popular models included the Maxum 1800 MX, Maxum 2400 SC3, Maxum 2700 SCR, and Maxum 3200 SCR. These boats were known for their sleek designs, comfortable interiors, and excellent performance.
Unfortunately, Brunswick Corporation announced in 2009 that it was discontinuing the Maxum brand, as part of its restructuring efforts in response to the economic downturn. While Maxum boats are no longer being produced, many of these boats are still in use today and continue to be highly regarded by boating enthusiasts.
Nonetheless, many people still consider Maxum boats as assets when it comes to their cruisers. It is also true that a good boat is always accompanied by the best accessories. You can view some of the best boat accessories which you can add to your Maxum boat to make it even better.