Future boat
 

Hey guys just starting to do my HW for a purchase in the next year or so. Had a fountain and would like another but see what else is out there and bajas tend to have bigger cockpits and are also cheaper in like age and model. this is what I am looking for below, my budget is going to be max 50 but would probably like to be closer to 40. so give me some ideas on models and age range, I would assume anything in the 90s probably fits not sure how new into the 2000s I can go, I know fountains I can probably find a 2001-2003 possibly

1. 28-30 ft
2. Twins, not looking for blue motors or blown stuff
3. need an anchor locker and would like an built in ladder
3. Cabin space or toilet doesn't matter to me really
4. Don't need a speed demon but something that hits 70

Cockipit space is what I am looking for if anybody has dimensions that would be great. Also not a fan of wild graphic schemes so would probably want one that's more toned down and I don't like the bajas with the 3in winshields either.

Look at some 302 Performance Series Baja's. Should find them in your range. Very large cockpit for a 30' boat and plenty of space in cabin. I would suggest you definitely find one with the extended swim platform...as you cant find them to purchase separately. we have owned our 302 for 5 years and been a great all around twin engine performance boat. Easy to trailer, lots of room for boat this size, easy to work on engines, works well for weekends and handles 7 mile lakes up to large lakes. Most came with 496's and older ones with 454 or 502's. Ours has HP500EFI's...runs 80. Again, cant stress enough to find one with the extended swim platform. most of the 2001 and up 302's have them but the older ones generally do not.

thanks so far, yeah want to stay around 30ft for storage, towing, inland lake use and just overall cost. Want to say away from blue motors as well.

Dont think so ^^^^^....I think that started around 05 and I think they were Outlaws but JT probably knows for sure

I know I am going to be limited with what a 29-30ft boat can do, just not getting into a 35ft boat for the reasons already mentioned so with that said, I'm kind of looking at the fever, 292 fastech and whatever baja offers. Going to come down to the best boat for the best cost that offers what I want.

Do the bajas have anchor lockers.

I know that, but bajas also offer bigger cockpits and for comparable aged boats theyre also a lot cheaper.

29 Outlaw. No windshield. Aluminum swim platform- 454 Mag EFI are great motors. My old OL still purring w 1200++ hours. Easy tow. If it is a tandem trailer make sure it has 16's No Head- They call the swim platform a Poop Deck for a reason. Anchor locker.
302 you MUST get extended or you will be sorry.

302 Bajas do have anchor locker on bow and newer ones are equipped nicely. Our 03' 302 has fresh water tank with hose on back, sink, fridge and portapottie/storage locker. The cockpit space on a 302 IMO is the best amongst this size boat. You would need to go to a 33 outlaw to get more space. I have a Yeti 65 cooler and can put behind bolster and still have room for guest in back seat to put there feet on floor. 342 are nice and can get with sink in back with wrap around style seating. there is a nice 00 342 in buffalo on craigslist. my neighbor looked at it last year and it is overall a clean boat and fairly priced. We boat up in 1000 islands a few times a year, generally pirates weekend. If you boat up there your more than welcome to look at layout to see if it will work for you.

Thanks. My thought on baja is this, if it offers a bigger cockpit I can also probably get into one newer than a fountain for the same price or for the same age get into one substantially less. I know fountains are more boat I had one heck low 90s boats are still selling for mid 20s or higher, a mid 90s baja of this size is 15k all day long.

Anybody send me link to a 302 so I know what I am looking at.

What does that mean ? faster with same power yes, more boat NO, put a 29 fountain and a 29 Outlaw side by side and you'll see a huge difference

if you want to go fast all the time and have the best boat for that application....go fountain, sensation, etc. if you want to an "all-around" performance boat go Baja or Powerquest IMO. The 8' 6" beam and amenities work for how we boat. I may go 80mph...once or twice a year for 30 seconds.....most of the time we are cruising 45-50 with boat loaded with gear, people and the 302 has plenty of room and comfortable for that. IMO all boils down to how you plan to use the boat. We looked at Formula 312's and 32 Fountains...but just didn't have the space a 302 did. Also love the room in the engine bay on the 302 compared to other options in this size boat.

I mean in terms of some parts and hull design to go fast. Fountains have k planes, hydraulic bolsters, gil exhaust etc, those things are standard on fountains which aren't standard across baja, try pricing that stuff out vs whats on a baja. Not dogging baja at all I think they make an all around good boat, and that's maybe what I am looking for.

maybe ill have to try and head up and take look. Just looking at pics I see what you mean about the extended platform, seems without the back is about worthless. So the 302 is just designated as a 302 performance or a Boss performance? I see there is a 30ft outlaw that similar and also a 290?

yeah powerquest is another I was thinking of as well, actually creating a notebook right now with models and notes have to figure out what models of powerquest I like.

does that vintage have an anchor locker. and whats the weight of the boat? Be quite honest my budget is 50, but 30 sounds a lot better to be from what I have seen the 302 can be found for 30s in late 90s early 2s.

302 is part of Baja performance series line. 275, 302, 342 and 388. More creature comforts and molded swim platform vs outlaw series with aluminum bolt on swim platform and may not have all the creature comforts of the performance series. Top deck is also very different between two lines. Molded swim platform was must for me so we went performance series. Powerquest makes 290 enticer and 340 viper. Nice boats too just not as many around as baja.

thanks for all the information, definitely going put the 302 on this list. Pains me to say it but I think I move on from fountain. Just seems as if I can get into something cheaper that has more things that are better for a family.

I have seen some 290s that look a lot like a 302, is that in the same line up something different?

290's were early 90's model boats and believe replaced by the Performance Series line from Baja (272/275, 302, 342, etc). These are nice boats but given age just need to make sure you check carefully for rot.

I am a fountain guy for several reasons but if you want room and more family type things Formula/ DONZI ZX series and Baja would be what I would look at.
If you could swing a DONZI 33ZX that thing will surprise you with its size and options.

Thanks my heart is with fountain but logicalness and use at least right now tells me to find something a little more family friendly. I'm not a racer not a speed demon, so space and few more comforts probably keeps the family happy and end of the day probably makes my life easier all around and more enjoyable to be out on the boat.

my neighbor had a 90 280 ES Baja for 15 years...sold it and bought a 97 donzi 33XZ last season. Indeed a well made boat and awesome ride. It is a monster next to our 03 Baja 302 on a trailer. Only word of caution there is make sure you have a 3/4 or 1 ton to tow it as it is a heavy boat. Also if you bounce around to various lakes that you have nice launches to get in and out of it with a 33ZX.

Probably going to want to keep the load with trailer under 10k, that way I don't have to worry about 3/4 ton at the time. So this keeps my length to under 30ft chances being

saw a 30 Outlaw which looking at outlaw and the 302 only real difference seems the outlaw has the metal swim deck and maybe a sleeker hull. With that said the owner of the outlaw had 496 total of around 650 hp. Top speed 62/63, true. Any other power packs that aren't blue motors. Seem like 454s would even be a better option.

the one listed was a 2005 30ft outlaw 6.2l so sorry not 496s, states a total of 640hp. top speed 62/63. just seems doggish to me.



Got to looking at the sizes and weight. The 342 is just to much boat. But I think the 33 outlaw would give me what I wanted, as well as the 302. Pros and cons of each anybody? Looks like the 33 can you get 4 seats with them.

33 outlaw is roughly the same size as a 342 in terms of cockpit space. Mostly poker run additions had the 4 seats. 33 would get my vote.

thanks. yeah the 33 seems to be also about 1300lbs lighter than the 342. With the 33 if I couldn't find one with 4 seats it looks like it wouldn't be hard to install two more. Also saw some late 90s 32 outlaws as well.

The 33 and 342 are the exact same hull. 342 has molded in swim platform where the 33's is bolt on. 342 has taller top deck then the 33. Starting in 2001 the 342 got the bigger "dance floor" cockpit like the 33. Before that dance floor was lost due to generator location that was in front of the engines under the hatch, so it also had a larger sun pad. / engine hatch. To re gain the dance floor Baja moved to a smaller genny that was mainly under the rear bench. Alot of the "newer" 2001+ 342's didn't have a Genny as people didn't order it with them and just used shore power. Most of the 342 have full galley pack with microwave, fridge cook top, TV, ect. Where the 33 is lucky to have a ac/dc fridge depending on how it was ordered back in the day.. 342 full glass windshield, 33 small plastic windscreen.

great info. the 342 is about 1000lbs heavier and with towing and storage would like to keep in the 7k dry weight.

I see it seems you've moved onto the OL series. I just wanted to add my '96 302 is 9500 lbs wet on a 35' tri-axle aluminum trailer. I wouldn't dream of ever moving it anywhere but perfectly flat roads without a 3/4 ton. That includes boat ramps which is the most treacherous part of your transport.

7K is the single weight of something I would imagine. Anything Twin BB has to be 10K min on trailer.

33OL Hands down

Think I'm still into the 302, but 33/32 outlaw is starting to appeal as looks a little sleeker and has the anchor locker and swim ladder. Going to be in the market either next fall or the fall after, hoping for next year obviously. Obviously don't really don't want to get into a what you should tow with forum discussion, lol. But I do have a half ton that is probably the highest rated half ton on the market, not going to name names as I don't want the chevy/ford war going on. I had a 91 fountain with twins that was 7k dry and towed with the same kind of truck and towed beautifully TBH even went on a 13 hour trip with it and did great. To be up front 98% of my boating is 30mins from the house on relatively flat ground and 55mph roads to get there. I did tow the same boat with a diesel, although it was better, for the amount of times(10 times a year) I towed and duration of the trip just wasn't logical to keep that sort of truck in the stable for the other 12k miles I drove a year. When you compare some of these half tons to the 3/4 ton gassers, and see the capacities and actually what parts are on each, the 3/4 ton gassers really don't have much on these half tons. So realistically if I can keep a boat in the 7k range plus a trailer I can still stay within spec of capacity and payload and be legal and feel safe doing so. I minimize weight by not getting gas until a mile before the ramp, I never keep much in my truck anyways and when I boat I don't like clutter, so I'm not a guy that keeps a ton of crap in the boat.

Ultimately bigger can be better more mass also means harder to stop and start as well. Really what I am looking at is engine, tranny, axles, and brakes. gas 3/4 to a gs 1/2 ton when you compare them these days really aren't that much different


Either way I think a 302, 32/33 outlaw is on the board to get, just have to wait.