Hello guys,

I'm going to buy an used boat, a 1898 Baja Force 235 with a Mercruiser 7,4 (454 cid) and 280 hp.

The seller, says that the boat's top speed is about 38knots (45 mph).

Even if the engine is not very powerful, it seems a really low speed, so i think that the propeller is not right for the engine/gear ratio of the bravo one installed.

Any one can tell me which could be the best speed with the right propeller?

Wich tuning on the engine to get 20-30 hp more?




Kind regards

I own a 89 23'5 force. I think with the old stock Magnum 365hp motor it ran around 65mph, its been a lot of years since the boat was stock and that did not last long. That 454 should be either 330 or 365(magnum motor) hp if orginal. That speed and hp sounds way off. Stock propeller should of came with around 23 pitch

Thanks for your information.

The Mercruiser is not the magnum model, is the old one with thunderbolt ignition. I found other engines like this one on the net.

Which motor do you have?

Any problem with the hull (is it safe, transom, stringers…)?

Does in ride well in quiet conditions?

Kind regards

Yes my Mercruiser 365hp magnum motor had a thunderbolt ignition from the factory. Far as I know the other big block 330hp option in that boat had it too.
Mine rides nice in the smaller chop with tabs. The boats are actually just like a 90's or newer 25 footer. They didn't count the swim platforms like they do now back then.
Check for rotted transom/stringers. Hatch/sunpads wood rot out too due to water from people getting out of the water and cover leaking. Fairly easy replacement on those.

Thanks,

i kindly ask you also tha degree of the hull (20°?) and the weight with the engine installed.

That seems way slow... i had a 460 in mine and i got 63

Yes 20 degrees dead rise 3650lbs

Are you sure on that weight? or is that what "Baja posted". It is just to much of "round number" is you ask me

My 265, they said " 4650 lbs" . I ran it accross the cat scale and it was 13720 with truck & trailer. Minus the weight of trailer (1500 lbs according to the manufacturer), minus weight of the Escalade (6011 lbs according to road and track 2007 issue) it comes to just over 6000 lbs full of gear. My gues sis the 4650 they come up with must be no gear, engine, drive, fuel, ect.. and jsut a guess on there part also. Or no mfg has ever weighed my truck or trailer HAHAHA

That was on a Baja spec sheet. It did not specify with or without motor. My guess its with motor but with no gear or gas. Spec sheet had the length, beam, dead rise, passenger capacity and list of standard Equip.

I can't find the 235 force spec on the net. Can you post it?

Thanks