90' 280 ES-Lickity Split
 

Anyone know this boat? Comments on the 90' 280 ES line in general? Things to watch for?

http://grandsportcenter.com/pop/1990_baja_280_sport.htm


The wife and I are looking to move up. There are a few Baja's in the family, so naturally that is where we started. We looked for some time at the Baja's before buying our "starter" Wellcraft. I have no issues with the Wellcraft, just want to move up now that the wife is hooked. I like Baja's for many reasons value, quality, reputation, and access to a local dealership. I like the overall look and price of this boat listed above. I am concerned about the dash however. How easy is it to get replacement parts? The dash switch panel appears to be warped in the photo. I know if I needed replacement dash parts for my 92 Wellcraft I am S-O-L. There does not appear to be a market for replacement parts from the Wellcraft factory. How is Baja for replacement "factory" parts. Parts appears to be an issue with most used boats older than 10yrs. I would not mind an older boat as long as parts were accessable. I am not handy with creating parts by hand, but replacing things is not a problem. If the dash needed upgrading what would some of my options be?

Thanks in advance for the responses!

I also have an 88 280. We also love the boat has lots of room for the size. Does very well in lake Michigan, and we know how that can be.

Replacement parts are hard to come by on any older boat. The dash panel in that one could be made pretty easy though. The hard part would be with those type of gauges if one is bad getting another might be tough.

If your intrested in them I know where there is another one that could be had for that price range.
http://bajaboatsforsale.com/premiumc...ieds00462.html

Before buying my Wellcraft we almost bought a 89 250ES that was later taken off the market.
I would not want to buy this boat and immediately have to start replacing items. I don't know how to fabricate a switch panel and so far that is the only turn off. I would also not want to start having to replacing gauges. I would guess it would not be as simple as removing existing and ordering some new gauges.
Other than that it looks like a pretty solid boat, I am waiting on cabin photos. We may just take a ride to the dealer if the opportunity arises this weekend.
When you say heavy, does 8000 boat and trailer sound right?

Never done it, have no experience that is why I ask. I would have to find a shop that can do the work. I would imagine then I would have a vinyl shop re-letter the switches.

The 280's hold up well. Takes a lot of power to go fast. as far as guages, my brother has just replaced his guages with gaffrig he has the old ones. Are they square?

I have a 280 as well and did a complete dash restoration. Baja just did a photo shoot of the boat and it's the center fold for Baja magazine Winter 2008 edition. There is a good shot of the dash in the magazine.

Good Luck.

The thing is the dash on this boat is alott different from any of the others I have seen. The gauges are the square VDO's but they are sunk into the panel. It also appers that the pannel is molded into the helm different than I have seen before on the 280. Mine has the VDO's untill i get the new ones in, but they surface mount on the panel. Plus my panel is flat like the switch panel and mounts onto the helm. This one looks like it would be fun to change the gauges out.

I will admit the 280 is no rocket as mine with the 365hp 454 mags runs right around 70. I would guess that this one with the 330's would be in the low 60's. It's not that slow of a boat though mine stays right with 29OL's with the same power, and has more room. But it's a nice solid ride and the wife and kids love it.

Here are a couple of short videos of mine on the water. Just so you can see how they run.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dati5JuLvqg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK1DI...eature=related

Jimmy just wanted to say your boat looks great.

It's interesting how different the 87 is from the 88. Have you got any more pictures of the boat. I would really love to see what other stuff you did to it.

Well the dash gauge is round, is the square part of the gauge or part of the dash? Can they be separated and another gauge installed?

I am in the process of making an appointment to see the boat. It looks great in the photos. I have not seen the cuddy, and I want a closer look at the dash area as well as the motors.

Once we look at the boat I have to figure out what to do with our Wellcraft. I have the boat up for private sale now, in my opinion being winter there are not that many people looking.

The gauge is square, although the face of the gauge is round. To install new gauges you would have to make something up to fill those square holes then install the new gauge in that.

Not many hours on the boat if the ad is correct. I think that boat may be from the Sioux City, IA area.