John,

Nowadays, I think the 525's are every bit as reliable as the 496's. You just have the extra expense to contend with, but they may help in resale down the road. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the 525's engine warranty is just as good, too.

You also need to check with your insurance carrier to see what kind of premium increase there would be with blue engines.

You told me once that you liked the .38's extra room for the driver - I think the new 35 OL has a little more room for the driver, but then again I've never had to worry about that .

I will have to say we walked thru my 38 special and then right over to bowtye8's 35 outlaw and I was very suprised at the similarity in storage space and ovarall cabin size. I sure would miss the genset but at the same time my priorities have changed a bit since the purchase of the 38 to being maybe 90% funrun/pokerrun oriented. I will also miss the u-shaped lounge makes for a great sitting area with the table installed. That said the 35OL seems to be right on target but a bit more than what I would like to spend on a boat with our local economy the way it is. Hence my stretch to try to compare the 33 which seems to be very similar in most ways.
Any way I slice it though it sure does seem that Baja over the last few years has really started to step up to the plate.

Thanks,
John

Hey Craig,

My ultimate goal I think is going to be to put together the very best fun run package I can while still keeping the total boat price, maintainance costs as well as the ins. costs to a minimum. This unfortunately throws the 525 idea out the window for now. Dennis has said he is seeing mid seventies out of his OL which I think is just right for our runs as we generally run about 65 most of the time. This will allow me to not kill the engines but running WOT all the time. And let me tell you I know how to kill engines

The 35 seemed to have plenty of room for me and suprisingly almost as much cockpit room as the 38. The only thing that concerns me is how well the windscreen will work for me. but I suppose that I could always make a better one

A couple of other boats that I have started to look at are the Active Thunder and the Velocity. They also seem to be good bang for the buck boats. But I suppose I should reserve questions on those for a different forum.

Also don't worry too much I am sure we will still be the clean up crew together at least through the new year See you soon

John

John, I'm 6 2. The windscreen doesn't do that great of a job. Nevertheless, I love my 33.

Isn't the 272 just the best boat to get into this sport with.
I think just about every owner of a Baja that I know started out with a 272

Thanks for the input. I guess I just have to duck down a bit more. I don't know that I could deal with ski goggles

John

John,
Remember, that wind in your face feeling at 75mph is half the fun right..........LOL, you really do get used to it. I don't know if any of the Outlaw models will allow someone of your height to duck down. Can I recomend a great fabricator and powder coater..........................

Bigger is always better... Love my 36 Ft. w/ twin 502's...

I think I might know that guy

John

In my opinion....the new design outlaws (35, 30, 26) do a better job of deflecting the wind because the windscreens are not as v-shaped as the old 36, 33, 25 are....they are located further forward which also makes a difference.