Need help with choices...
 

Ok... I'm going to list my current Baja for sale in the spring and Im hoping to move it quickly as it will be listed for 9K. Having run a 240 sport for some time, I am ready to step up to a larger go fast and there are three Baja's that I am considering.

1) 36 Outlaw. Most room out of the three for extended hours on board and overnight stays.

2) 33 Outlaw. Close to the 36 in amenities but a little lighter and little shorter for towing and docking. And should be a little faster.

3) 29 Outlaw. This would be the fastest of the three I would guess and probably the most available/affordable. I have been on board one and I know the cuddy and cockpit are smaller than the other two.

So my dilemma is I would like to have that compromise of comfort and speed. I do plan on doing poker runs in the future and also overnight trips with the boat. What's your guys thoughts?? Also, what are the weights of the boats? My current truck has a tow rating of 15k lbs. Any input will be helpfull from current or past owners of these boats. Thanks

Jason

Can't comment on truck because I don't know the boat weights. What I can say is the 36 will not be any harder to tow and launch than a 33. If you have plans for the future consider them now and buy accordingly. My boat is 32'7" / 34'11" overall with drives and platform and 39.5' including trailer. If I was in the position again I would go 38' without question.

The 36 will be the best ride because of it's weight and ability to crush waves, but will be alot slower than the 33 with same power. 33OL IMO was best hull Baja produced. Lot's of cockpit space and fast hull with equal power. 29 is similar to my 302 except cockpit space is cramped behind rear bolsters, but otherwise a well laid out boat. You will be able to tow all 3 boats with a truck capable of 15k towing capacity.

I love the large cockpit area in both the 33 and 36. I have towed a Formula 351 with my truck before so i have an idea about the ability to tow in this range. Seeing as most of my boating is here on the rivers in Pittsburgh, Im not sure if the speed advantage of the 33 would be better over the little bit more room in the 36... The 40 OL is a monster but now your talking tripples to make it do anything respectable and thats not in my budget.

+1

33ol is almost as fast as a 29ol, if not faster sometimes and the 36ol is a wave crusher, but requires 500 HP's or better.

I will vouch for bajaricks 33ol he has for sale. We did some work on it and it's a nice boat with HO's.

XT

I went from a 226es/240 sport to a 29 Outlaw. It was a great move to make. I found it was very similar to the 226 when it came to towing and launching. Storage was easier to find and I could get in to gas stations pretty easily.
I won't toot my own horn, but a 29 can be made very fast & will ride much better when set up correctly. Extension boxes were my best modification in terms of ride & handling went.
Expect high 60's with anything under 350hp a side, low 70's with 385's & 415's, mid to high 70's with 425's.

I think a "newer" 33 is gonna be almost as fast as a 29 with equal power. I think the 33's got faster and faster as the years went on.

Yep, even Baja will tell you that the 33 was the best boat they made. I like the 36's but like others said takes a ton of power to run...a 33 with HO's run great and 29's with MAGs and HO's run fantastic as well. Have driven them all and all have their +'s and -'s just depends on your budget. If your truck has a tow rating of 15K you will be fine with any of them so long as it isn't a 1/2 ton claiming a tow rating of 15K....anybody can tow, it's how well you control and stop. Let me know in the Spring...I have an 03 29 with HO's that is for for sale, just not advertised...

As 29OL, XT and others have already stated, the 33 is an awsome hull. Good balance make it fast for its size and weight and as a true 33' it's pretty roomy. Between the 3 you listed, a 33 hands down. Don't think too much about launch and retrive. It's not a big deal, you'll get used to it fast. If I should make a list of the best boats value for money ever made, the 33 would be in the top 3.

We have 33 OL with 500 efi engines. We love the boat it has a huge cockpit and the cabin has enough room to overnight a few nights. Ours has air condition, pump out electric head, fridge, and stove. I tow it with a 2500 hd chevy, it tows well with the diesel engine. Gas stations can be hard to access, so I usually go to truck stops. I do have a aux. fuel tank in the truck, so I can travel about 1,500 between fill ups. I launch it a lot by myself, so launching and docking is very easy.

I have a 36, and I would recommend a 33 for you. The 33 is a great combination of space, speed and ride quality. Throw some more horsepower in it and really have fun !!!!

Buy JTs 33 so he can go T/S in!!!

33 one of the best Bajas out there.

Jason, glad to see you're finally upgrading!:drink:

-See ya in Miami!

Kurt

Depends where you boat as to the 33 or 36.

I had a 36 and it was great for overnighting.

On lake Michigan we need every inch of hull length you can get.

I always fely safe on mine and it rode great.

My 302 is the sister to the 29OL but has more cockpit room and creature comforts. It's also for sale if your considering the 29OL. I'd personally go at the 33OL if the power package is there. A friends 33OL with exact same power is about 1-2 mph slower than my setup with equal loads.

Thanks buddy:drink:

33 Ol.

HAHa!! I still remember bringing that thing up to Philly in the back of my old pickup. Got plenty of looks on the highway.

I currently have a 2003 Ram 3500HD with the diesel so I know it can truely tow 15k pounds. I do love the larger cockpit on the 33 and 36 Ols. I have been on a 33 on its trailer but never crawled on a 36 to see how much of a difference there is inside. I've also been on a 29 and think that would be a fun boat. Jason, I've seen the video's of your 29 and have followed your threads to know its a rocket.

You could be the new owner of my 29.....

Believe me... I've thought about that. Not too many boats here that would be able to run with it on the water. With all the time and work you put into that boat it would be a nice buy.

It is getting a new interior this winter, powder-coating the upper manifolds candy red and the swim platform is getting touched up along with all the whiskey dents in the gel-coat.

If I was purchasing and wanted a Baja within your criteria, I'd purchase a 33 OL with twin 496 HO power package and enjoy it every weekend I had available. The 36 wouldn't be much different but I believe the 33 rides very well and has fairly respectful speeds and cockpit size. Good luck and have fun shopping.

Im getting the seat bottoms redone on mine this off season then gonna get it all back together come spring along with having the stereo gone over by my audio shop. Then a nice detail job on the boat and she will be ready to find a new home. Ive replaced most of the wood interior with new pressure treated ply and even used thicker wood on the hatch. If I had it to do over, I would use starboard instead but this should last a very long time as it is.

Like Irish said, don't rule out the performace series. Lots of similarities between 302 /29OL, 342 / 33OL.

I narrowed my search down to 33 / 342, wherever I could get the most bang for my buck.

I looked for about 3 months for a 29 and couldn't find one at the price/condition I wanted. Stumbled across a 302 and real glad I did. I couldn't believe the cockpit room on the 302. I hasd a 25 OL and that was my complaint and the 29 isn't all that much bigger than 25 up top.

Having owned both a 302 and 29OL I would go for the 302 again over the OL. Extended swim platform is a must though.

My old 302 has resurfaced for sale. http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...-302-100250072

I would say a 342 would be best... but I am biased.

Irish's 302 for sale is a LOT of boat for the money. Prob one of the fastest and reliable packages out there that don't give up anything.

:party-smiley-020: Will this mean I get to come to Texas to pick-up the interior? We also have a great gel-coat guy up here.

XT

I think it does. Do you still have my number?

Jason,
Lets go to the party up there for a couple daze and you can take the stuff with you and drop it off. ROAD TRIP!!!! If your Furd can't make it we can take the Dodge--LOL I'll keep you out of trouble---I promise-----------
Jay

Ok, butcan your Dodge pull the 29? Guess you'll be riding ***** in the Ford!

Fly in, pick it up with my truck, work your magic, come back with it, fly home. Works for me!:drink:

Some Baja owners are masters at boat maneuvers. :D :D I'm callin you Tank!!!