The tide was pushing out of the harbor inlet where we approached with the 3100 SE. Our target: a dock in what was fast becoming shallow water. For a runabout and express-cruiser guy, bringing in a 33-foot, 13,000-pound boat would normally make forearms tighten. But maneuvering Maxum’s newest weekender was as simple as pulling the throttles into neutral and moving the joystick any direction we wanted to go — including sideways.
Maxum eliminated any fear of handling the twin stern-drive 3100 SE in tight quarters by powering it with the Axius system. Axius’ digital joystick controls let even a beginner ease the boat up to the dock, spin it, crab it sideways or worm it into the narrowest piers in a wind or current.
The Maxum engineers weren’t satisfied with just a performance lift, they gave it a facelift too, incorporating European faceted styling from stem to stern. The angular lines of the stern seating open more space around the cockpit table, making it more comfortable to use. Engineers also nixed cabin windows in favor of nine portholes. The effect gives a bright cabin interior, better ventilation and a shapely look.
Practicality is a carried belowdecks, with sleeping in the forward stateroom configured port to starboard. That opens more space in the salon and galley, where we noted an enormous amount of counter space. The entire interior design furthers the 3100’s mission as a practical mode of family vacationing.
Key Note: The easy-to-use Axius system plays right into the hands of boaters who’ve never liked handling larger boats in close quarters.
Standout Features
• Standard radar arch is extra-wide, casting its own shade, and it also accommodates a wide variety of electronics systems.
• Axius Premier on our test boat also includes an auto-heading feature, so the boat will maintain a course when it might tend to yaw.
• Cabinets in the forward stateroom and a big compartment under the mattress make for expansive storage.
Vital Stats
* Length Overall: 33’4″
* Beam: 10’7″
* Dry Weight: 12,838 lb.
* Fuel Capacity: 165 gal.
* Maximum HP: Twin 496 Mag (375 hp)
* MSRP (test boat w/ options and twin MerCruiser 350 Mags, Axius Premier): $176,824
* NMMA Certified: Yes
Test Drive
* Test Engine: Twin MerCruiser 350 Mags, Bravo 3s
* Test Props: 15.75 x 22.5, 14.25 x 22.5
* Test Load: People (410 lb.); Fuel (110 gal.)
* Most Economical Cruise Speed: 25 mph @ 3,400 rpm, 10.5 GPH (per engine)
* Top Speed: 43.4 @ 4,880 RPM
* Time to Plane: 7.0 sec.
* Time to 30 MPH: 13.6 sec.
