Stretch out and get comfortable in the inviting and modern
interiors of Maxum Sport Cruisers and Sport Yachts

Story by Roger Kamholz | Photos by Bill Schild

What's in a home? Well, popular wisdom tells us you're likely to find the heart there, or perhaps a hanging hat or two. The late philosopher George Carlin used to sum up home, with his famously brutal wit, as simply the place you put your stuff. But it's much more than that, of course. It's the place that welcomes and recharges you, warms you and brings some peace. It's also your showpiece, where you entertain friends and play with your toys. A boat can be all those things, too; and the measure of good home on a boat surely rests inside the cabin.

Maybe that's why so much time and effort is spent perfecting the interiors of Maxum Sport Cruisers and Sport Yachts. Maxum engineers and designers constantly ask themselves, Can it make a good meal, or provide a restful night's sleep? How is this space going to work? And, above all, does it reflect the feel of modern boating that discerning Maxum owners demand? All those questions lead to designers striking a delicate balance among functionality, looks, comfort and convenience.

Climb below deck aboard the 2500 SE, Maxum's entry-level Sport Cruiser, and you'll be struck instantly by the warmth of the space. The rich woods of the galley and the mellow cream tones of the carpeting and upholstery indicate that this is a place you can come to relax and unwind. Turn to the galley's solid-surface countertop, stainless steel sink and tinted-glass stovetop, and you might think, this is a place where you can cook a warm, satisfying gourmet meal, as well. The forward cabin space is your dining room in the evening and your sleeping quarters at night, thanks to a swappable drop-in dining table and V-berth filler cushions. There's also room for a couple of your guests to stay over; they can bunk comfortably in the queen-size mid-berth.

Like the 2500 SE, the larger 2700 has an ingenious, multitasking forward cabin. The same filler cushions that create the expansive V-berth sleeper fit back into the dinette setup to be used as backrest cushions when it's time to eat. The galley is fully feature--it includes a stovetop with tinted-glass cover, a built-in refrigerator, and storage cabinets and drawers--and surrounded by handsome teak flooring. Go ahead and plan get-togethers that last well past dinner: The 2700 SE's cabin features a sound system with MP3 and satellite radio capabilities, as well as an optional 15-inch LCD TV/DVD player and a gas generator.

The cabin of the 2900 SE is as much a home and socializing space as it is a work of art. There's room for up to six overnight passengers, and what's more, the forward V-berth and dining area are separate--so crewmates can dine and lounge in front of the standard 15-inch TV simultaneously. The 2900 cabin upholstery, as with all Maxum Sport Cruisers and Sport Yachts, is made with soft, durable Sunbrella fabrics. Maxum offers two décor themes to choose from: Java Café and, new for 2009, Baltic. Complementing the fabrics, the standard teak flooring is easy on feet and easy to keep clean.

Avid entertainers are sure to fall in love with the versatile layout and features of the 3100 SE cabin. Daylight floods in through multiple hullside and deck windows, or flip on the suite of stainless steel and flush-mounted cabin lights for intimate evenings. The galley has plenty of storage space and comprehensive cooking equipment for the accomplished chef of the crew, while the wine expert will savor the built-in wine bottle and glassware rack that resides between the galley and forward berth.

The 3700 SY, Maxum's largest boat, is a true haven from the ordinary and a modern home on the water. The salon, galley, head and sleeping quarters for six are bathed in light that pours in through well-placed windows in the hull and deck. The salon dining area can accommodate a large dinner party, and the gourmet prowess of the galley can provide the meal. The integrated refrigerator--a full 7.5 cubic feet--keeps things cool while the dual-burner electric stove heats things up. And solace for the captain and first mate comes the minute they step into the forward stateroom with queen-size island berth. Hanging lockers and storage drawers under the berth keep clutter at bay, and a standard reading light and plenty of Sunbrella pillows invite you to curl up with a good book.

A roof over your head, yes; a place to relax with friends, of course. But the cabin of a Maxum always strives to be more than simply a place with all the trappings of home. It's your special retreat to someplace beyond the ordinary.