Maxum 3900 SCR Used Boat Review

A logical step upwards from their popular 3200 SCR, the new 3900 is the largest and most elegant cruiser ever offered by Maxum. With the newly available Cummins diesels in place of the standard MerCruiser inboards, the 3900 is a seagoing apartment that doubles as an express cruiser.

As an express cruiser, the cockpit naturally takes up a large portion of the 3900, starting with an aircraft carrier-sized transom platform designed to carry a personal watercraft. To simplify retrieving a PWC or tender, Maxum offers an optional electric davit.

The styling is unquestionably European, with lozenge-shaped portholes, a steeply-raked reverse transom profile, and swept-forward radar arch. Step below, however, and you're looking at New York penthouse chic, with supple upholstery and sculptured furnishings.

At each corner of the transom are steps leading to the side decks, while the central entry to the cockpit (with door) is set between lockers for fenders, docklines and shore power cord. The single-level cockpit has wraparound lounge seating aft and an entertainment center with sink, storage and optional refrigerator/ice maker to port.

A pair of bench seats are forward, and the helm is definitely European with a burled-wood steering wheel, throttle and shift controls on each side, and a wood-grained dash fitted with an array of gauges. Unlike many builders, Maxum assumed that owners of a boat this size would want a full complement of electronics and thoughtfully left two large panels — one in the dash and one beside the helm — for flush-mounted installations. A row of rocker switches in another wood-grained panel finish off the office area for the skipper. The tilt wheel makes the helm comfortable for both sitting and standing, and the electrically-adjustable pilot seat can move back for ample room.

The cockpit is well protected by the tinted windshield that wraps around to aft of the helm seats, and the entire cockpit is surrounded by high bulwarks in case you have little ones scampering around. The foredeck is marked by three round hatches and a spacious sun pad tucked in a shallow recess surrounded by grab rails and drink holders. The extended bow platform holds an anchor roller, windlass (with helm controls), and twin lockers for anchor gear.

Since there are no bulkheads to break up the hull into small compartments, my first impression of the interior was of immense space. The cabin literally stretches from the companionway steps to the anchor locker. To port is an enclosed head with the VacuFlush toilet under a seat in the separate stall shower while, to starboard, a settee curves around a high-low table that serves as dinette, cocktail table, or converts to a berth. Behind the settee is an audio entertainment center with stereo, CD and cassette player.

The freeform galley curves along the port side of the saloon, with an under-counter Norcold refrigerator/freezer, three-burner cooktop, microwave, and ample Formica counter space. There's also plenty of storage for utensils and food, as well as a pair of opening ports for visibility and fresh air.

Forward, the owner's area has an island double berth set fairly high to allow large drawers underneath, as well as lockers on each side of the headboard. A television slides out from a cabinet and can be turned to face either the forward berth or the lounge in the salon and, for privacy, an accordion-fold curtain separates the forward cabin. At the aft end of the cabin and tucked under the helm area is a settee with table for additional lounge seating, or the area can convert to a double berth at night for guests or kids.

Maxum does a seamanlike job of building the 3900, using vinylester resins as a barrier coat to protect against osmosis blisters and the wooden structural components like stringers and bulkheads are fiberglass encapsulated on all sides to block out moisture and then bonded in place. All the interior bilge areas are base-coated, and the wiring systems are pre-rigged and tested before installation. Deck hardware is sturdy, with 12-inch cleats bolted through husky backing plates and welded stainless-steel, one-inch rails from bow to cockpit.

The hull, with 16 degrees of deadrise at the transom, is a relatively mild modified vee, carrying two strakes on each side for lift while the 13.5-foot beam has good stability aided by wide chines. Weighing in at 18,000 pounds with the standard gas engines (20,000-plus with our test diesels), the 3900 is no lightweight and Maxum obviously doesn't scrimp on fiberglass.

We topped out at 32 MPH with the optional Cummins Diamond D diesels of 420 horsepower each, that, fed from a 250 gallon tank, should provide a good mix of speed and range. Underway, the 3900 was far more nimble that I would have expected from a 10-ton diesel cruiser. She banked comfortably into turns, slid through the afternoon Puget Sound chop without throwing spray, and provided ample cockpit space even with a half dozen people aboard.

See Maxum 3900 SCR listings.