onesickpantera

iTrader: (1)

As far as why boats get compared to Bajas I think it's because Bajas are less expensive and easier to find.

I will admit I used to make jabs at Bajas because they were a "cookie cutter" boat. Maybe their quality is a little lower than some of the custom boats. Maybe their rigging isn't the best. But it's a production line boat that can be bought for a decent price(at least they used to be!). For the average guy out there a Baja will probably get the job done and do it well.

Downtown42

anything that floats is fun for me

sleeper_dave

I don't mean to criticize anyone about their choice of boat. If you own a Baja, it suits your needs, and you're happy with it, that's all that matters.

I own a Fountain. There are certainly many compromises involved in owning a Fountain, and I probably won't buy another one. The beak just cuts out a lot of cabin space. I want more cabin space, for the way I use my boat. So next time around it'll probably be a Cigarette, maybe a Formula. Of course budget will determine vintage, as it did with my last purchase.

But, rigging and vinyl work aside, the basic construction of a Baja is just not as strong as many other brand out there. The older Baja's i've seen around here are all beat to hell, with a lot of stress cracks and outright fiberglass damage. On Lake St. Clair, you don't get big rollers like you do on the ocean, you get a washing machine from hell. If there are 4 footers out there they might be on an 8' wavelength, tops. It's all chop. Boats get beaten up. I see new Baja's out there, but they seem to dissappear after awhile, you don't see nearly as many older Baja's as you do newer ones. They're all at earl the pearls being parted out because the hull is ****ed. Conversely, you see older Fountains all over the place. Very few "big dollar" boats around here, I saw 1 OL and maybe 2 new Cigs all summer. There's a small Spectre down the canal from me. All the other go-fasts are Fountains, Formulas, or less than 5 years old.

Most of you with Baja's probably spent more than me. I'm not trying to be all "holier than thou" or any crap like that. Hell, i'm driving a $35k boat, probably one of the cheaper boats on this site. If you like your boat, enjoy it, and don't worry about what other people say. But if someone asks a question about the difference between a Baja and a Fountain, I'm going to pipe in with the quality issue, because there's a difference and it's real. If i didn't know crap about boats, and i was shopping for my first boat, i'd expect the same honesty. If someone knows enough about boats to know what the good brands are and what the lower quality brands are, I'd want to know.

If your landlubber buddy hit the lotto and was comparing, say, a Bayliner to a Formula, would you bite your tongue and let him buy the Bayliner? I hope not.

StillHaulin@63

Why not?
If he was pleased with his choice, why was he wrong?

cosmic12

I still don't think any one has answered the question but alot of info has been exchanged and that is a good thing. as far as quality between all the different brands? Well all I can say is that I have learned through my years is the less you know about layup and rigging or all the componets that are used THE HAPPIER YOU CAN BE WITH WHATEVER YOU HAVE So don't fret the little stuff and just have fun and be safe

JaayTeee

I just wish that the Brunswick products
attached to the rear end of my current Brunswick
company boat, were as trouble free as the boat
has been.

camptappakeg69

Plus their the only "go fast" boats in our syracuse boatshow the past 2years...............someone bring some others besides deckboats and pontoons , guess I'll just have to go to a real show

yesrej

brunswick makes a great pool table...

cosmic12

I am going to the Lauderdale show at the end of the month I brought Nordic to the syr show a few years ago, I think that was the last year of the good shows, Last year for boathouse marine also.

camptappakeg69

Used to look forward to going everyyear, probably not going this year(syr), think I remember some sunnies, and the checkmates. Don't remember the Nordics though,but dont' really have to much memory left

How can I get dates for fla shows, have relatives in St .pete

could time some visits properly next year.........