Should I buy it? Baja 252
 

Hello all!

newbie here to OSO and my first post. I love the site and all the imformation that is packed into it!. I recently came across a beautiful Baja 252 that I absolutely love! I am willing and ready to buy the boat but unfortunately when I went to look at the boat it does not have trim tabs/k planes or a depth finder it was obviously ordered without those two options.

This will be my very first boat I have owned but have been boating since I was young with family and friends. So my question is... can these two items be installed on the boat with ease? and should it alter my decision in purchasing the boat?

Can anyone reccomend a reputable shop in the southeast michigan area to install them? I want it done right and it makes my skin curl knowing holes will be drilled in the boat to install, hence why I want it done properly.

Lastly it has Merc 7.4mpi 310hp how many quarts of oil does this engine take? doesnt have a owners manual with the boat.

Your suggestions and help will greatly be appreciated!

Thank's
Ryan...

252
 

I just sold my 252 back in August and I loved it...mine did have the tabs and depth gauge and I have to say in my case the tabs were a must. Mine was supercharged and i needed to tabs to level out from from the prop torque, and as i learned how to use them they were nice in adjusting the ride according to the water conditions. I would think any good shop could handle the depth gauge but i woould make sure someone with experience installed the tabs. You may also want to factor in the cost of the tabs, i just had the factory "Boat Levelor" tabs but depending on what you want it can get inot bigger $$

i would think with the 7.4 it is a high 50 maybe on a good day 60 mph boat could get by with an inexpensive tab may $300 to $400

Run the boat without tabs first, and see if you even need them for where you boat. I almost never use them on my 272. And some people have had transom rot issues because the screws attaching the tabs to the boat allowed water to seep in.

If you're at all mechanically inclined, the depth sounder is an easy install. If not, shouldn't cost much to put in. Try to get one with a through hull transducer.

Thanks for the feedback Bigred! I bet you did love it... Sad to hear you had to sell it. I was looking at some tabs on diamondperformanceparts.com website and yes they are very pricey! $$$$.$$

As you said I was thinking the same thing that the tabs would be neccesary for the stability of the boat with not only getting it on plane much faster but also for speed as well.

Mach1... you are right, the owner of the boat said it tops out at 52mph with the 3 blade prop thats on it which is great for me as im not looking to break any Lake St. Clair speed records lol.

Although it makes me wonder and I never asked him if the 3 blade came on the boat from the factory or a 4 blade. I would assume a 4 blade and it would probably be a better blade for that boat but I will leave that to the pros over at BBlades to figure out.

I certainly like your reccomendation of a cheap by comparison 300 to 400 dollar trim tab for the boat which would probably be sufficient for it and hopefully others can chime in on that idea too.

Thanks for your input as well Puzzleboy and thats good to hear you never really use your tabs and your boat is 2 feet bigger! I think I will try it without and see how it works.

These performance boats are all new to me so I may be suprised that the boat doesnt need them especially with the stock engine. The only mod i was going to add to the engine was a nice set of CMI Headers. I was thinking the same thing about the depth finder as i could probably instakk it myself.

ebay tabs
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Insta-Trim-B...ht_5131wt_1344

Why headers? They cost a pretty penny. Not much bang for your buck. Run the boat until you want to go faster, then buy a faster boat.

I have a 25 outlaw and never use tabs! you could install dep finder ur self!

+1

Don't spend your money on headers. If anything, get a good labbed prop for top end. IF you are dead set on headers, go for the KEs instead of the CMIs. No leaks.

Leave it alone and run it like you stole it. Buy the faster boat when you are ready to step up. Just take a look and do a search, many have been chasing mph, and it has been an expensive and bumpy ride for most.

I've got a 2001 252 Islander. It runs 58-62 with 2 people and full fuel. 496 Mag (375 hp) with a B1 22p prop. Actually it ran 62 before I had merc update the PCM and now 58 is about the best it will do, but the transom is much cleaner and the mileage improved. I guess the early tunes were rich and good for power.

In any event, the Instatrim (Boat Leveler) systems used by Baja are adequate for this boat. They are also not really necessary for just general boating. I find they are handy for smoothing out the ride in rough conditions or balancing the boat, but if you don't have them you won't really miss them. The 252 planes nicely without them and runs out nice also. I have generally found it to be a well balanced hull.

Actaully not having tabs may be a big plus because Baja was not always real good about sealing the screw holes and that has caused many a rotted transom. No worries about that on the boat you are interested in as there are no screws!

If the boat is sound, then you would be hard pressed to find a nicer all around, easily trailerable performance boat. Perhaps not the fastest, but no real vices either.

Good luck and enjoy,

Dan

Just a suggestion. If you can get your hands on them, try a Mirage+ and Revolution4 in 21" or 23", depending on what rpms you are currently spinning. Should put you at 60+. The B1 is neutral in its lift and have very little bow lift in stock form, this is needed on the Bajas. You "only" have a 25' boat, so not really a need for the big bladed large diameter wheel. As said, just a thought.

Hey Guys thanks for the awesome info especially from people who actually own the same boat or similar. I actually put money down on the boat and the owner is keeping it in storage for me for the winter. Im really lookiing forward to it because i love the boat so much!

Ryan...

Can anyone explain prop pitch to me? again im new to all of this. So in simplest terms what does a higher pitch (23p) do to a boat compared to a lower pitch like a (21).

Yes you will want tabs on st. Clair its a washing machine most Sundays. Call Lenny at Millennyum Marine 586-405-8702.

The number tells you how many inches the prop will, in theory, move forward pr. revolution. This is where it gets funny though. Prop slip. In the real world, a prop will "slip". This cannot be avoided, simply because the prop would not work. You need a high and low pressure side to produce thrust. If there is no slip, there is no thrust. This means a 24" prop does not move 24" through the water, theoretically it will, but in practice with 10% slip, it will actually move 21,6" through the water. This is why when we are talking about prop effeciency, to a certain degree, prop slip numbers are part of the big picture, but other factors are involved as well.


Don't think too much about slip, just know that numbers between 8%-12% are good numbers for your type of boat. Use an online prop slip calculator to find your number. Remember that you will need GPS speed. If you want to know more, google prop slip. It's a pretty long explanation.

Herring has a free prop slip app.

Awsome little tool for sure.

Thanks A.O. I have been wanting to try a Rev 4 for some time now. I keep hearing good things about them. The M+ also but don't hear much good about them in stock form. The B1 gives excellent mpg (3 at 30-40 mph) so I am assuming little slip, but you're right, not so hot for top end. This is probably particulary true on our boat as the prop shaft depth is really deep (8 inches below keel).

We are fortunate enough to get to take the boat to the gulf a couple of times a year. There is a spot on the ICW in Gulf Shores where the ICW is right next to the road. Boats and cars seperated by 20 yards or so. It is great fun to outpace traffic. You can do it at 58, but at 62 it was much more noticable. For that reason, if no other, I would like to get those 4 mph back!

Have fun,

Dan

With the deep prop, an M+ should work just fine for top end. Epecially if you have Bblades put a double cup on it. I would go as far to say that a cupped M+ would give you 4-5 mph over the B1. What rpms are you spinning now? Again, for over all performance, the Rev4 still beats the B1.

I always liked the m+ on my Baja. I would defiantly want tabs, if you have many people in the boat it will level out better. It will also plane so much easier.

I also have a 252 Boss listed on some local forums. 1999 252 Boss, 454Mag, loaded.

boat has tabs but i NEVER have to use them. also has a depth gauge. ha.

I have both a bravo 1 4 blade 22p, and a meriage + 23P I like the 4 blade better, but the 3 is a little faster.

if someone is looking for a 252 shoot me your email adress and i will forward you on the information.

this is my baby..
http://hsvracing.com/phpBB2/files/portfloating_192.jpg

Good looking boat. :ernaehrung004:

Thanks, it needs a new home, I have a new one found, and deal made, just need this gone first. will be a shame to see it go, ben the best toy on my life.

You'll love the boat Ryan. I bought mine new in March '98 and have beat the hell out of it. I use my tabs all of the time, but it might be from having too much weight in the cooler!:ernaehrung004:

if you have to use the tabs what prop you runnin? and motor

I don't think anybody has to use the tabs, it just makes it much easier and will extend the life of the drive.

using tabs extent the life of the drive? i call BS. tabs put more of a load/drag on the drive if anything.

it makes the boat fall over on plan faster, but becasue of the added leverage, and drag. IF anything it would be worse on drives, not the other way around.

Tabs or no tabs. There is absolutely no affect to the drive...

496, Mirage + 23 pitch