Baja History "The Thread"
 

Guys,

If you have any information on Baja, past boats, race boats, history, people, models, etc, etc PLEASE post it on this thread.

Thanks
Dock

Re: Baja History "The Thread"
 

1997 Baja 420

The ONLY Stepped Hull Baja ever built.

Official APBA Pace Boat

1997 420 BAJA
POKER RUN / PACEBOAT EDITION

This boat was the official APBA Baja offshore series pace boat for 2 years. One of the most recognized boats in the country. Check out the list of equipment on this high speed one of a kind mind bender.

 One of a kind custom step hull bottom
 Triple mercury 850hp sc engines
 #6 speed master drives
 CMI headers
 Mercury lab finished 4 blade props
 Mechanical drive and tab indicators
 Mercury 380c Competiton K-Planes
 Latham hydaulic steering w/priority valve system
 Custom McLeod electric bolsters
 Complete custom interior
 Three Latham speedometers
 Raytheon GPS
 VHF radio w/ intercom system
 Full driverside gauges w/ knock sensors
 Depth Finder
 Air speed indicator
 Team Baja custom paint
 3 ATL fuel cells w/ transfer pumps
 3 axle Myco trailer w/drive guard

Re: Baja History "The Thread"
 

The Evolution of Performance

Like all Baja® boats, our very first model was something special. In a bold display of drive and determination, four owner/employees assembled the original design in an abandoned roller skating rink in 1972. What they lacked in resources, they made up for in motivation — a single-minded mission to build the finest performance boats in the world. Over the next two years, Baja Boats was born, and a product line of 14- to 20-footers, including the classic CT 150 racing design, took shape.

We spent the 1970s perfecting our nontraditional designs, further solidifying Baja's styling and position as an innovator. That’s when Baja took the lead in exclusively pursuing the sport boat market. It was a move that paid off when our first big high-performance boat, the Carrera 240, was introduced in 1978. And the 1979 Carrera SS Bowrider earned a Powerboat Magazine "Boat of the Year" award its first year out!

In the 1980s, we successfully expanded the Baja line to include distinctively styled, world-class offshore boats like the 240 Sport and the 420. Our interest and attention slowly shifted towards creating bigger, better offshore products with improved design and structural integrity. Progressive product development has always been the core of the Baja philosophy.

As we expanded our line in the early 1990s, Baja confirmed its place as the industry leader in style, performance and quality with the .38 Special™ and the 272. We kept pushing the envelope — introducing the 20 Outlaw™ and 32 Outlaw™ with modern performance styling for the power-hungry, speed-seeking, hard-core offshore runner.

The new millennium has brought with it innovation and style unlike anything you’ve seen from Baja. The 30 Outlaw, 242 Islander and a complete retooling of our Sportfishing line are just of few examples of how “performance under control” is the driving force behind everything we do.

Over four decades of mind-blowing innovation, and Baja continues to blaze new trails and redefine the category of performance boats. We call it the evolution of performance. Now strap yourself in and get ready for a revolution in performance. . .the next generation of Baja.



Above was copied from Baja website.

Re: Baja History "The Thread"
 

Quality Inside & Out


Along with a rich tradition of innovation, a superior standard of quality has allowed Baja to maintain its position as the #1 Performance Boat in the world. To attain that level takes a long term commitment to achieving the best in design, engineering and production. . .and accepting nothing less.
It's evident in every aspect of our company — from our advanced hull designs to our constantly evolving styles and graphics and our never-ending quest to building better, faster boats. Year after year, we're striving to exceed our customers' expectations. That’s why we created our Boss™ packages and the Baja Custom Shop — to satisfy those looking for the ultimate in competitive style and design.

Testing is at the forefront of how we bring ideas to reality. Comprehensive analysis, review and evaluation combined with a myriad of industry-leading test procedures provide the pathway to breakthrough engineering. Wind tunnel testing analyzes drag and overall performance and Finite Element Analysis allows us to strengthen our hulls in high stress areas, reduce overall weight, and, subsequently, increase speed.

With the industry's broadest, most advanced product line — and a reputation for superior performance, safety and durability — it's plain to see that if you're looking for the best all-around performance boat, you’ve found it. We're still setting the standards, setting the records and setting a pace that has everyone following our lead.


We’re Just Like You



Copied from Baja Website

Re: Baja History "The Thread"
 

We're Just Like You


The secret of Baja's incredible success lies in nearly half a century of employee dedication, research, technology, experience and a natural flair for designing and constructing boats that surpass the highest standards.

Our engineers are a special breed. They aren't content to let nature take its course. They're driven to break speed down into its building blocks, to push every boundary of boat design, to find the perfect relationship between horsepower, weight and drag — all to produce total speed under control.

We also have a great understanding of the needs of our customers. You know why? Because we’re just like you. Over the years, we began to identify a unique characteristic that our customers shared with each other. . .we call it Baja Attitude. And there was only one way to sum up those similarities. . .Speed changes you™. You know what we mean — after your first time at the helm of a true performance boat, you never look at the world the same way again. This attitude also drives Baja engineers and craftsmen to pour their hearts and minds (and thousands upon thousands of hours) into designing, engineering and building the world's No. 1 performance boats.

You see, we're performance boat fans, just like you. Squeezing that extra mile per hour out of a boat, spending late nights getting our unique hull design just right, relentlessly testing and retesting everything we do until it's perfect — this isn't just a job to us. Speed changes us, too.


Copied from Baja Website

Re: Baja History "The Thread"
 

Live Life In A Baja!

When you own a Baja you get more than just head-turning style and adrenaline-pumping speed. You become part of a lifestyle that translates into non-stop excitement, never-ending weekends and flat-out fun.

The Baja Owners Club includes a wide variety of exclusive offers including on-line Marina Reservation Services, members-only insurance rates, free emergency towing coverage and discounts on marine/non-marine related items. And there’s much more that comes your way throughout the year with special promotions and private events.

You can get up close and personal with Baja boat owners from all over the world with Baja, A Full Throttle Magazine. Three times per year, this feast-for-the-eyes lets you catch a glimpse of the hottest boats, wildest parties and most revealing Baja festivities. Each issue also contains the complete full-throttle line-up of Baja performance boats. It’s jam packed cover-to-cover with everything you need to fine-tune your Baja Attitude!

You’ll never forget your first Poker Run and you’ll keep talking about your last. These fun-filled family events attract performance boaters from all walks of life and it’s performance boating at its best — and fastest. Be a part of the next Baja Poker Run — it’s a great way to see old friends. . .and make some new ones.

This year will feature our first-ever Rendezvous — where Baja boats converge and merge for a weekend that’s an absolute blast! Special social events are planned and you’ll be surrounded with other Baja owners that all share your need for speed.


Copied from Baja Website

Re: Baja History "The Thread"
 

Racing

There are a lot of builders out there that folks say build a better quality product then Baja, but they no NOT have a racing heritage.

I.E.
PowerQuest - GONE Out of Business
Sonic - Trying again under new ownership


I have this picture up on my office wall along with the 320 that raced the same year. The races were called off just after the F1 class finished in this race because of conditions.

No Steps, No Pads, No Beak, No Bull

That was on the back of this boat when we first saw it in Washington, NC at the APBA races in 2001.

Re: Baja History "The Thread"
 

Hey Doc, great thread. Do you have any pics of the 70's Bajas and on? Let's see some of the classics

By the way, the stepped 42 is straight SICK!! Isn't it still running after a total re-fit few years ago? Somewhere in like Ohio or something?

Re: Baja History "The Thread"
 

I see/talk to Doug Smith every once in a while. Ill see if he has anything you guys might be interested in :cool:

Re: Baja History "The Thread"
 

Ohio....Idaho.....Iowa... we get that all the time ;)

It's in Low Moor Iowa :D