It's just that dash that is strange on that 1990. All the other 280's I have seen have a flat panel that is easy to upgrade or even replace. I could have both the panels for my dash cut out of metal and powder coated, for a custom look and not spend alot of money.

Honestly the biggest turn off on that 1990 is it has the 330's in it. Those motors are ok but you can't upgrade them as easy, and they don't tend to last as long as the mags. You see mag motors with well over 1000 hours with no problems. I have seen cruisers with well over 2000 hours on 454 mags.

I have always bought older boats. Main reason has always been I could get it for less to begin with. I know that I am going to change stuff because I want it my way. So why pay for stuff I am going to change. Plus I don't make enough to buy new, and if you have to make payments for a new boat...wow

I guess it really comes down to what you want. Do you want a boat that is ready to go, and you are never going to do anything to it, or do you want something that is a bit older but you can make it your own?

Isn't it fun lookng for a new boat? So many choices to make. It's like looking for treasure.

By the way did you get the pictures I sent you.

I got the photos. I am unable to open them at the firehouse, so I will check them later. I am interested in seeing the before and after. The wife wasn't too crazy about the red/orange.

I too don't have a ton of cash, but what I do spend I want a good boat. I would prefer not to be wrenching on my weekends when I could be boating.

There is definately a good selection of used Baja's out there. Some are way overpriced, some are a good price but hide problems.

I am not looking to set any water speed records. So upgrades are not a concern. If you don't know what you are doing, increasing performance can lower reliability. There are plenty of people out there that don't know what they are doing.

Any boat older then 5 yrs is going to be hard to get factory parts, I am reding a 86 320, I am having fun doing it, i am getting involved alot more then you plan to, but it is not a big deal, if you have half a brain anything can be done yourself. The dash is prob one of the easiest things to do, I would not let that hang you up, i would consider buying something better then 330's I was looking at 330 boats and ended up with 400's, I am so glad I did, after rebuilding both engines I found out how much better the forged engines are, I had a iol line issue, aside from that they would still be running fine!

Go with mags and K-planes, believe me it is worth it.

I looked for 2 yrs, I do know that there are TON of boats out there for 25-28,000 that are nice, especially in the 28ft range.

Get the best parts for your money, if you find one that needs cosmetics maybe and has mags, buy that over one with 330's and decent interior, interior, gauges, buffing can easily be fixed, engines are more.

I haven't heard from the seller of the 1990, and it has been almost a week. So in some ways that may be a blessing. When the wife mentioned winter storage and the arch. My family storage location has a 8' door opening, which means shrinkwrapping and outdoors for the winter with that boat.

I got the 454/300 in my Wellcraft, it gets me up to 55. My uncles 21 Islander runs 60-62 which is plenty fast for me.

We will be going to the GSC grand opening this weekend. I want to look at a few different boats so this will be a good time to go.

Thats the cool part the color can be changed real quick on my boat or any boat for that matter. But I can understand the WAF, mine could not stand the 80's teal anymore. I changed it to orange for less than $100.

Ha the wife likes the teal...Guess it's an 80's thing. That is what sparked the interest in the 1990 280. That and the arch...a Miami Vice touch.

Could be teal real fast...lol If she was to see it though I think she would like the orange. Pictures don't really do it justice. It's strange but we liked the teal in the pictures when we first bought it. Then we could not stand it later.

I also think I know where there might be a bolt on Arch for the boat as well. Something you could take down for storage.

I guess I'm in the same "boat". A couple years ago I got the urge to get a newer boat. My 87 was getting dated. I looked at new and really felt they did not compare to what I already had. My wife talked me into updating the old one and I'm glad she did. Old school with personalized updates that makes it a unique ride. Plus you get your own personal satisfaction out of doing the the updates.

We ruled out the 25 Outlaw, it has the same deck space as a 23 Outlaw. Where it is bigger is the cuddy.

Whenever the seller calls we are going to look at the 280. If we don't like the 280, I think we might wait and see what hits the market when it gets warmer.

Keep in mind like myself I have a Baja forsale right now come April I'm pulling it off the market due to warm weather and the lack of replacement boats that will be available. The good deals go fast once warm weather starts hitting the really good deals are now. Usually people discount they're boats for winter sale knowing people aren't looking hard. Something to keep in mind.

If not this winter, then next...There is always that last minute trade. If not my boat works fine, even though I want larger.

if the 280 has the same pad as my 320 it will never be great over 70mph it gets a little unstable and needs to be trimmed in to be comfortable. The engine access in the 320 is terrible. Overall it is a good value a lot of boat for not much $$. I think they look good as well.

We love the look, speed is not a concern. From what I have heard these motors top at 65-68 stock. I like the price, still waiting for the seller to contact me.

Should this not fit us, we are looking at a 96' 275.

Well 62 keeps me running with the pack... Yes it is running 23p Mirage props, I am not sure if that is turning in or not.


Should I buy it, I will keep that in mind.

My brother inlaw has an 89 280 with some big power and it will GPS at 93. It was pretty stable with the kiefer tabs.

thats good to know. I have 330's with prochargers est 460hp. In the garage I building some 572's 725hp. I was thinking of saving for the "next boat". Back to the subject of buying the 280 I say go for it and have a great summer.:boat::boat:

I am having a hell of a time getting in contact with the owner through GSC.

That makes me mad also, I am always buying stuff, I HATE when people don't get back to me, I will have cash waiting and they lose a deal because of no contact! Pizzes me off!

Good luck.... I still think you should look into the one in Alabama I posted, i would bet it is worth the call/trip!!

Basically we want to look at it in person. For the wife it would be a Yes or No. If she says Yes, then I would look into it further. She is mainly going on the looks. Face it, if the wife don't like it, I would never hear the end of it, and we move on to another boat.

After seeing some of the junk we have looked at in the last few months, I am not really interested in driving 24hrs round trip for a look.

I'm suprised there isn't a soul here that knows this boat.

I hear you, I looked for 2 yrs for the right deal, I do alot of buying off pictures, from what I can see in those pics that boat is very nice, I think better then the other one you are looking at, the guy at that dealer sells Formula, he is well known in the Formula forums and well liked, you can call him and get a very good description I bet.
I know how the junk thing goes, there is alot of junk out there and peaople want top dollar! what a joke..

I know the 280 you are talking about in Alabama. It was a buddy of mine's and he traded it in on a 36 Outlaw. If you want to talk to him about it, I can give you the guys' number, just PM me.

Is it as nice as it looks?

From what I can remember, it was a nice boat.

Still not interested in the drive...

You should really consider looking at Nightlife's boat I've seen this boat in person many times it's in excellent condition for its age. Alot nicer than some of the newer stuff out there.

The wife was not interested.

Well after all that work, all that calling, the seller finally got in touch with me. Long vacation if you ask me... He left a message which I got late in the evening. The next day I left a message on his VM. That evening I get a call from GSC, he sold the boat to a co-worker.

All that for nothing, but I would like to thank everyone for their opinions.

Now on to the next boat...