Hello all,

I just bought a brand-new 342 performance that's got some great options as well as a custom Level I graphics package. I found OSO while surfing, and it looked so informative I joined immediately!

Unfortunately the boat's still on the trailer, winterized (there's nothing going on up here in Pittsburgh until April at the earliest). This will be the longest winter ever!

I do have a few questions for anyone that might have an answer:

1) Does anyone have information on a bimini top that's stowable in the engine compartment? I recall seeing picture somewhere but can't seem to find any information...

2) Any advice on where to mount a chartplotter on my boat? The cockpit gauges and windshield make it tough to find a good spot.

3) I've got a Lincoln Navigator with a 9,000-lb. (approx.) towing capacity. Since the boat weights 8,300 lbs. by itself, I take it I'll have to find a bigger tow vehicle (CXT perhaps?). Has anyone tried towing a boat of this size with a similar truck, either short or long-distance?

4) Is anyone here from Pittsburgh? I know there are quite a few Bajas on the river with Fox Chapel Marine being a big Baja dealer...

Thanks in advance!

Craig,

Welcome to the board and the Baja family. There are a lot of really nice folks here and a wealth of information.

The 342 is a VERY nice boat and it sounds like you have one of the nicer available. Post some pictures when you get a chance. What power did you put in it?

As for your questions;

1) I cannot help on the bimini, personally I am not in to them. We do however carry a SunShade in the boat for when we are anchored up and it works VERY well and you can store it in the cuddy when not in use.

2) Buy a Ram mount at West Marine. It is like a two inch black rubber ball that you can permanently mount anywhere. Then mount the adjustable end to the chartplotter. It has worked out VERY well for me on the 36. I will try to find some pictures. It is VERY adjustable in many positions and when you are done boating you can remove it with one twist of the knob and lock it in the cuddy. It allowed me to use a much larger chartplotter then if we tried to flush mount one. I have a 2006C Garmin.

3) For very short distances you may get away with the Navagator, but add a trailer, fuel and gear and you will top out loaded at 11,000 lbs at least and it will "NOT" be safe. You need a minimum of a long wheel base 3/4 ton or bigger truck, or Excursion.

4) The KING lives in your back yard. One of the fastest and nicest Baja's you will ever see. Bobby Todd aka "Crayola Crazy" Look him up.

Take care
Dock

P.S. Buy a Box Anchor

Welcome To The Board!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome, I say get a cummins diesel to pull it, No seriously ,I would recomend a diesel of your choice ,minimum 3/4 ton, long wheelbase helps with the handeling to, I had a 32 and now a 29, I changed from a lifted 4X4 4door powerstoke swb to a 4 door 4X4 dodge cummins dually and all aspects of pulling where way better

Dock,

Thanks for the advice. Where are you located? My boat's got twin 425HP engines. I'm trying to attach some pics of the paint job but they don't do the 3-d airbrushing justice...

I'll definitely take your advice!

Thanks again,

Craig

cbeastwood, Good looking boat! Welcome to the board!!

I don't like mixing business with pleasure, but business is what supports my pleasures. I am an auto dealer and one of my lines is the GMC Truck franchise. With out a doubt if you can fit a dually into your lifestyle outside of boating then it is the way to go. If your long tows are on good roads then any 3/4 ton will do the job. If your looking for something used like a 3/4 ton pickup or Yukon XL let me know I see a lot of them. If your interested in new then shop your local dealer and PM me and let me know what kind of numbers you are seeing and I can let you know if he is being fare.

wow nice paint, congrats on the new boat, you will have a blast

Good looking boat. Welcome. I would not tow very far with the Navigator. I towed my 29 Outlaw 300 miles with a lowered 2wd suburban small block and that will never happen again. I now pull with a 4 door 3/4 ton 4x4 lifted Superduty v-10 and it is not enough. I would go with a rattle motor (Diesel) for my next rig, 4x4 of course.

Congrats...........nice looking boat. You will have a great time with it. Just remember to keep the sticks smashed forward at all times. And keep the guy to girl ratio on it around 1:3 or 1:4, if the mix gets below 1:2 then you can have major problems with boats appearance.......