Baja's....why the hate?
03-19-2024, 05:59 PM
#31
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Lots of great replies here!! I never made the connection to the "harley" guys but that is a very accurate comparison! Basically boils down to the people and not the boat...great explanation on the production built versus custom built and never thought about that either. Thanks for all the replies everyone!! Was nice to have a thread go 3 pages without a fight hahahahaha
I guess it's basically like marrying that nice good looking girl that was never at a lot of parties but takes care of herself and has a natural beauty....baja
Or...you marry the supermodel that is flashy, probably takes all your money, and cheats on you and earned her living as a stripper....OL hahahaha
I guess it's basically like marrying that nice good looking girl that was never at a lot of parties but takes care of herself and has a natural beauty....baja
Or...you marry the supermodel that is flashy, probably takes all your money, and cheats on you and earned her living as a stripper....OL hahahaha
Last edited by BBYSTWY; 03-19-2024 at 06:14 PM.
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03-19-2024, 06:13 PM
#32
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On my third outlaw. Great boat for the money and what I use it for. Can’t afford the more expensive boats. I know it’s limits and drive it accordingly. Use it in the waters off Atlantic City, NJ. When it’s rough, I stay in the intercostal.
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03-19-2024, 08:18 PM
#33
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People are always such cheerleader for the brand they own. I have a Mastercraft but still like Supra, Cig, Outerlimits, Baja...even Azimut, Viking, sailboats....
I'm a motorcycle guy and I don't have to put a costume on to go ride. I have a lot of Harley friends that I ride with and have that attitude that it's the only motorcycle brand and buy into all the BS Harley sells them as a lifestyle. I own 2 Harleys, a Moto Guzzi and a Ducati.... I like to ride them all and it's not a status symbol for me.
Boat in whatever you want and don't be a D***...as long as you're on the water with friends have a good time; who cares what you're in!
I'm a motorcycle guy and I don't have to put a costume on to go ride. I have a lot of Harley friends that I ride with and have that attitude that it's the only motorcycle brand and buy into all the BS Harley sells them as a lifestyle. I own 2 Harleys, a Moto Guzzi and a Ducati.... I like to ride them all and it's not a status symbol for me.
Boat in whatever you want and don't be a D***...as long as you're on the water with friends have a good time; who cares what you're in!
03-19-2024, 09:21 PM
#34
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As others have stated and whenever this topic comes up I always say
you’ll be hard pressed to find a prior baja owner that hates on them. Can’t tell you how many guys I know that have MTI’s Skaters, Cigarettes OL’s etc that started with Baja and remember owning one fondly. It’s always those that have never actually owned one that hate on them. And that hate comes from the fact they’re entry level basically production performance boats that can be had for less money….and their ignorance of the brand. Granted, over the years they’ve had their known issues but overall, best bang for the buck on the market.
id own another all day.
you’ll be hard pressed to find a prior baja owner that hates on them. Can’t tell you how many guys I know that have MTI’s Skaters, Cigarettes OL’s etc that started with Baja and remember owning one fondly. It’s always those that have never actually owned one that hate on them. And that hate comes from the fact they’re entry level basically production performance boats that can be had for less money….and their ignorance of the brand. Granted, over the years they’ve had their known issues but overall, best bang for the buck on the market.
id own another all day.
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03-20-2024, 08:48 AM
#36
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I grew up ogling Baja's as a kid. They were the go-to powerboat as the transition from V-drives being the apex predator to outdrive propulsion. My only real issues with Baja is that they are farqing everywhere and their seeming propensity to develop soggy stringers and transoms. From all the restoration threads I've read, it seems there was absolutely zero effort in MFG to prevent intrusion. Lag screws into stringers for engine mounts just seems like a bad idea to me. I'm more of a "Not what everybody else has" kinda guy, but obviously their prolific presence is a testament to their popularity.
Despite having my intentions set on a PQ, either 260 or 280, we actually took sea trials in two Bajas when we were in the hunt to upgrade from our Rinker. One Boss 272 and one 25 Outlaw (I think). The 272 seemed very nose high, to the point that I, every inch of 6' tall, struggled to see comfortably over the bow. The 25 rattled like a can half full of pennies with literally every bump in the water. I also didn't like that I absolutely could not drive standing up, something I'd gotten very accustomed to doing in our Rinker 236. It was not a function of boat size, but one of cockpit size, as there was obviously room in the Rinker. We went into both sea trials with an open mind, but ultimately opted out of both and eventually found a gem of what we were looking for.
Thanks. Brad.
Despite having my intentions set on a PQ, either 260 or 280, we actually took sea trials in two Bajas when we were in the hunt to upgrade from our Rinker. One Boss 272 and one 25 Outlaw (I think). The 272 seemed very nose high, to the point that I, every inch of 6' tall, struggled to see comfortably over the bow. The 25 rattled like a can half full of pennies with literally every bump in the water. I also didn't like that I absolutely could not drive standing up, something I'd gotten very accustomed to doing in our Rinker 236. It was not a function of boat size, but one of cockpit size, as there was obviously room in the Rinker. We went into both sea trials with an open mind, but ultimately opted out of both and eventually found a gem of what we were looking for.
Thanks. Brad.
Last edited by Brad Christy; 03-22-2024 at 04:11 AM.
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03-20-2024, 10:13 AM
#37
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So many of us came up through the Baja ranks and have moved on to other brands, I owned a 272 and a 33 Outlaw and ride Harleys, I think if Baja had a production stepped bottom they would of retained more owners, I ride and run with them all.
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TomZ (03-20-2024)
03-20-2024, 10:14 AM
#38
I think the 35/36 Outlaw was one of their best looking boats. Even old ones have great lines, though the paint jobs can show their age.
Where Baja went wrong was the cruiser line and some of the 20ish foot offerings. Tried to stretch the brand too far, cheapening the name.
The high end theme boats like Poker Face was interesting but I think at that price point buyers balked. They made a 40 that looked pretty cool but again when you break into that “next level price point” buyers can easily be swayed to other brands.
Where Baja went wrong was the cruiser line and some of the 20ish foot offerings. Tried to stretch the brand too far, cheapening the name.
The high end theme boats like Poker Face was interesting but I think at that price point buyers balked. They made a 40 that looked pretty cool but again when you break into that “next level price point” buyers can easily be swayed to other brands.
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03-20-2024, 01:31 PM
#39
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I think the 35/36 Outlaw was one of their best looking boats. Even old ones have great lines, though the paint jobs can show their age.
Where Baja went wrong was the cruiser line and some of the 20ish foot offerings. Tried to stretch the brand too far, cheapening the name.
The high end theme boats like Poker Face was interesting but I think at that price point buyers balked. They made a 40 that looked pretty cool but again when you break into that “next level price point” buyers can easily be swayed to other brands.
Where Baja went wrong was the cruiser line and some of the 20ish foot offerings. Tried to stretch the brand too far, cheapening the name.
The high end theme boats like Poker Face was interesting but I think at that price point buyers balked. They made a 40 that looked pretty cool but again when you break into that “next level price point” buyers can easily be swayed to other brands.
Where they went wrong was the liner boats ( which, in the end was everything
exept the 40 O/L)
when the liners started cracking in the cabin area for example, there’s no fixing it, you get a new boat.
Brunswick didn’t like that, so they gave it to Reggie, he started stick building them again, unfortunately 2008 happened and we all know what happened after that.
03-20-2024, 02:29 PM
#40
Registered
No hate here. Sure, they aren’t rigged as nice as a Cig or OL. But, as has been said, they are the best bang for your dollar in the performance world.
We owned ‘99 302 boss. 454’s ran 65mph put over 400hrs on it never had a problem. Cousin owned a 302, 33 outlaw, 36 and a 40 w/575’s. All nice boats.
We owned ‘99 302 boss. 454’s ran 65mph put over 400hrs on it never had a problem. Cousin owned a 302, 33 outlaw, 36 and a 40 w/575’s. All nice boats.
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Smarty (03-20-2024)
