Would you buy a Baja again?
 

Looking at buying our first go fast... Have had pontoons, center consoles and now ready for a go fast. Our budget is 70K and looking on some of the online boats sites it appears Baja would fit the bill and budget.

It's a great entry level performance boat, do your home work, there are some years to steer clear of, and get it surveyed, good luck

I bought three brand new Baja's when I was younger. They were perfect for what we were doing with them, no major issues and resale was incredible. Fantastic entry level sportboat.

I bought a couple of new Bajas ,,they were good boats and had fun with them,,I would buy another one ,I do not think people give them the credit they deserve.

What are some other entry level options? It seems there are a lot of Fountains in my budget price range...

Agree, I love mine and it fits what we do currently, but if I was going to spend 70k, I would shop around a good bit. There are a lot of deals to be had...

Have you heard anything bad about the 2001 Baja Outlaw 29s? I am close to purchasing one and would love to hear feedback before I put out the money.

Thats a pre liner boat, should be OK just check it for moisture in the transom and engine hatch, really any place they put wood, is it a single or twin ?? If its from your area its probably a salt boat

What years should you stay away from?

I guess I'm a Baja fan. We have a 2001 252 and the boat has been perfect for us. The boat is solid and seems to do a multitude of jobs very well. Too many boats are too specialized. In short I cannot think of a better boat for us, even to this day. I believe 2001, to site your example, is a good year for Baja's. They are not without faults however. One particular issue that can be a major problem, and this is with any boat but is a known concern with Baja's, is that many of the screws used to attach items to the transom and stringers were not properly sealed. This would allow water into the wooden cores of these components which would then rot. My boat was not affected by this but I know of several that were. This is not a comment limited to 2001 models or just Baja's. It can be a major problem and expensive to fix so at least remove a couple of screws on the trim tabs and wiring looms on the stringers and look for water or dark wood on the screws. Be sure to seal them when you reinstall them so you don't end up creating a problem that wasn't there. As mentioned before a survey is a good idea but remember even that is no guarrantee.

It is my understanding that when Baja switched to a "liner" construction method, which I beleive occured in the 2005/6 timeframe, some disbondment of the adhesive between the liner and the deck or hull occured on some boats. I have no personal experience with this issue nor do I know of anyone that has.

As far as the 29 OL goes I have ridden in one and it was a great boat. One of the smaller twin engine boats available, it is fast, has a good ride, not to big to tow, roomy, solid. Probably my biggest complaint is a lack of space in the engine bay for maintenance, but this is pretty much true of all Baja's and many smaller boats. You get cockpit space as a tradeoff. As they say, you pays your dues and you takes your choices. You could do much worse than to buy a nice example of a 29.

Just my two cents worth. Have fun.

Dan

You need to buy 33OUtlaws 33 and find some 500 efi's to put in it and you will be good for along time. Probably have $$ left over for lots of Fuel

Yes, i would buy one sgain. They are good boats, safe and fun to drive! I used to own a '98 Baja 302. Was my first twin engine boat. We had it for 5yrs and had a blast with it!

Dan has a fix in place for this! :bananalove:

Kind of interesting to see the guys that have moved from Baja to Cig :D Donzi, Q and myself just on this thread, to the OP as I stated before, good boat to start with, your budget will allow you to purchase a newer boat, what size are you thinking ??

Fron my knowledge the liner constrution was from 04 to 08 with the 33 & 40 Outlaws always being stringer boats, hope this helps

I would like at least 27' w/ twin engines.

I saw a pretty sweet 32 Fountain on Facebok Swap shop for 55k today.

PM 33outlawsst - He can put you in a nice 33OL if he hasn't sold it already...

not in a Baja, the 27' and smaller were are all single, move to the 29 OL for twin SB or BB, if your boating in salt look for something with 496's closed cooled maybe a 302

SB & BB ??

I am not set on a Baja, when I was shopping boat trader, several popped up in the price point and that's how I got to this post. When I was a kid Reggie Fountain was the man and like the looks of those too. I just don't want to buy too old of boat just to have the brand name.

SB small block BB big block The foutain will be faster with the same power as the Baja, but the fountain has a smaller cockpit and cuddy than the Baja, not to mention the length difference

Interesting since I will have the wife and 3 kids along.

If you have an opportunity you really need to get on both boats to see what Im getting at, your boat choice also depends on your tow rig, unless its gonna sit on a lift

It will most likely be a trailer queen, but have plenty of equipment to address that. Any certain Fountain models to take a look at? I glanced at P57 website and see a couple listed there from cheap to $$$. I would presume not so much the model but the engines??

do you plan to over night on the boat

Negative.

where are you located

South Central Pennsylvania

Here is a friend of mine's Fountain . One of the nicest around and Would come in under your budget and still leave money for plenty of gas . http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o61193-en.html

I like this boat http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o60856-en.html

I think you will be happy with Baja. I still have my 25 OL. I had an Outerlimits go fast ( and miss it dearly) but always loved my Baja. I have a closed cooling system in mine and I don't know when that was changed from the older ones but that might be a concern. I was told that if you buy a Fountain you might have a hard time selling it because of there is a lot on the market. But that being said the folks that own them swear by them.

yes, I would buy another Baja and did! Sold a 30 Outlaw, now in a 35 Outlaw and couldnt be happier. Most have commented on the room. That is a fact. 8'6" beam, lots of cockpit and cabin room. Good all around solid ride. I know, not a stepped hull, etc, but like others have said, get what fits you and your needs. I too have a wife, a child with me onboard, so the total package was most important to me. Good luck with your search.

one boat I can't wait to see is the new Active Thunder 29 with the wide open cockpit and U shaped seating. Not entry level but really appeals to me as one with young kids and their friends. The typical Go Fast boat just doesn't work for us because of the lack of space and seating area.

We LOVE our Baja 405. Heard some negative things about them but a lot of that was from 2nd and 3rd hand knowledge. You will have to come to terms that you will never find the perfect boat. Also you will never stop spending $$$ on it to make it the way you want.

Loved my Baja

If you want to have a lot of fun. Start a new thread. I have 80k, what you got for me?:poopoo:

LOL

Might get some boats and women... Never know!

Lots of great educated opinions here mum. I too would buy a Baja again. I've had mine 15 years, been through the transom rot due to workmanship but the boat is awesome. Solid performer.....for what she is. She ain't no Cig.

Ya but they say cigarettes are dangerous to your health.:bunnydance:

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Only if its Smokin'

Sorry I cant resist posting this pic

I had a 2000 29 outlaw for 5 years only replaced thermostats and impellers, then I got a 1999 36 outlaw had that for 2 years and had no issues. The 36 was a beast in the rough and had great cockpit and cabin space. I redid the whole boat thinking I would build some motors to go faster but wound up trading it in last fall for a 42 Cig. If you want a 36 outlaw that had more money put in to it than it was worth look up Action water.com you won't find a cleaner boat.