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.