Baja vs PQ
 

OK Guys,

Why should I buy the Baja 275 with 496HO instead of the PQ 260 Legend with 496HO.

I need help deciding if there is any real and major reason to pick one boat over the other.

Family boating on Lake St. Clair is basic usage.

Thanks,

Dave

Think Resale. both great boats....BUT I would go with the Baja because they have a much better dealer network. In the event that you have to sell Im sure the frequency of Baja dealers (service) is much better than PQ. just my .2cents

PS. As far as Resale goes think NATIONALLY

The 272/275 has been Baja's highest selling boat for a long time. They are always in demand and easy to move.

They have proven to be a great all around both. I loved my 272.

Personally, and I'm not trying to offend anyone, just my opinion, but I think PowerQuest is overpriced for a boat with no more background history, or racing history.
They seem to be very well built, I looked at their 34 foot when we were buying, but they wanted too much. In this area they are not knwon very well and resale is poor. The guy that did buy the 34 we looked at has had it for sale for several months now.

Just my opinion.

Good luck, buy the one that you like best, after all it is your money!

I agree with Dock on everything, well almost everything, he he.

I have a 272 right now. I "luv" mine. It rides and handles typical lake water great. Easily trailerable too. I think the fuel effeciency with the 496 MAG HO is good too. I have a friend that has the same set-up you are looking at w/the Baja.

There is a guy who boats on the local lake here who has a 260. As I rode beside him, in his 260, it seemed like my 272 rode/handled better than his 260. I have not ridden on a 260, but I did consider buying a new one before buying my used 272. I am glad I bought the 272. It seems to me that the 272/275 has more room.

If I were you, I would water test each boat if possible. Take your time with your purchase. No need to rush it, if possible. Consider how you plan on using the boat? Overnight occaisionally? Do you have kids? Try and get a feel for the cockpit and cabin. These dealers will let you sit in these boats and get a "feel" before you purchase.

Are you buying new? How do you plan to option the boat? Prices? PQ and Baja are close to us for dealer/factory support. Just some things to think about.

Thanks Guys,

this is the input type I was looking for. Price wise the dealers are so hungry to sell these boats with the economy I can get same price as a used 1-3 yr old boat and that is why I am concentrating on new or left over.

Yes the Baja is longer and you and I know every foot does add to ride performance.

If you think of any other differences let me know. I do have a family so the Outlaw was scratched off the list the instant my wife sat on it cause of cockpit size and headroom in cabin.

Keep it coming if you have more.

We boat on Lake St. Clair that just bounces the water with no rhyme or reason.

I have two kids. A girl who is 12 and a boy 5. It can get cramped at times when we overnight for the weekends. I wish we had a full camper enclosure on ours. That would allow more room at night when sleeping. Maybe you can get the dealers to add the full camper enclosure for you at a reduced price or for free if they are that hungry.

Right now, the wife and I use the cockpit cover and we sleep in the cockpit while the kids sleep in the cuddy. The boat is perfect for us on the weekends.

Since you are buying new, I know when I considered a new boat, typically you could figure 30-32% off sticker. Don't know the math anymore, but seriously, you could figure that much off. Don't let those people bullcrap you about that. I would think that you should still get the % plus some freebies now.

Keep asking away. Also, Baja has a great following here on this site.:cool:

Re-sale - you don't want to have to explain to people what a Powerquest is and why it's a good boat.

One thing I've noticed about PQ - they use the same system of Plexus bonding of hull and deck as Baja.

29 Outlaw - that's only partially true. PQ does use Plexus but they also glass and through-bolt (the same as Formula). I personally witnessed this when they were building my 34. I'm not sure Baja does all three. You are correct about having to explain PQ... they simply have not been out there long enough and there are far fewer of them.

Lucky - One other thing to consider; Baja is striclty a production boat and they specialize in high volumes with little to nothing for customizing. My experience with PQ was that I could specify anything I wanted for colors, where what colors would be, options etc. Not many builders will allow you to "customize" your boat that way. Make of that what you will.

The real test for anyone looking to buy is test ride in your water conditions. Then you can see how it does and if the comfort/speed/handling level is what you want.

Baja uses thru bolts on twin engine boats but not on singles.

Close...but Baja is not "strictly" a production builder. They will do whatever it is that you would choose to do including, but not limited to custom fab. parts, custom graphics, accessories, rigging, engines, you name it. All it takes is $$$

29Outlaw is right on.

PQ is well known the this part of the country. They are built in Michigan.

Baja has custom levels,1-3, that allows you to do certain things within each of those pkgs. Yes Baja does concentrate on production too. They are and have been the highest selling sport/performance boat for a few years. This does not take away from their quality and commitment either or their customer service. Email them and watch for their respone and the timing of it too.

Like Daze said, you can do anything you want at Baja or at any manufacturer, it just takes the $$$ to do it.

Are you sure?

I don't necessarily know what thru bolt is but in looking in the engine compartment on the 275 it looked like their were plates on each side of the stringer with a bolt going through.

Can someone either verify or correct me?

Luv-N-It,

I don't think I have them down to the 30% off list yet and it is on a left over '03. That might very well be why I have not yet pulled the trigger.

I guess at some point one of these guys is going to get hungry enough to drop thier price a little more.

I can have them a check in 2-3 days.

Yes! But he is referring to the hull-to-deck joint, not the engine mounting. All twin engine Bajas have a through-bolted hull-to-deck joint and additionally reenforced with glass tabs.

Bajahahaha
i have a 272 that looks like new, has every option 502mpi, blue book sais its worth 53k,--------lets see!!------been trying to sell it all summer cant even sell it for 38k,
so good resale--- bull shi*
i live in california--not much further you could get from powerquest plant-
-but i have been there seen how they build them & road in them on lake michigan in 7foot swells the boat never
shook made any crazy noises as we were jumping -
it was smooth enough i was standing behind the passenger bolster i probly could have had a cup of coffee as you could hear the drives come out of the water.
im sold--powerquest is a far better boat!!! if you put them side by side you can even tell---my baja has bulges and and un even sides as you look down the sides-like you can see whare the bulkheads are,,the pq you dont sea any of this,with the pq i can get any paint scheam that i want!!

and if your going to messure a pq with a baja 272 its closer to size to the 280 silencer than the 26
the 280 has step bottom faster than the baja

my baja loves to chine walk--sucks when your buddy is looking at you while your boat is bouncing all over

baja is a production boat/ pq is a custom boat


anyway just my 2cents----i know what im buying--if i can get somone to buy my baja

Well I am definately leaning and looking more heavily at the PQ Silencer and the Sunsation 288 right now.

My problem is whether I can afford either one of them.

Dave it sounds like you should talk to Baja if you have all those problems with your boat,I'm amazed it even made it out of the factory with all those structural and cosmetic defects.You can get any paint job you want on a Baja as well,go to the custom shop all it takes is a little more money.

I am a Baja owner and I have to agree with Dave 502, my 1998 272 had a slight blemish in the mold work, but more concernining was the way it chine walked at 65 mph. I would drag the tabs alittle to stablize the ride at a 2-3 mph loss of speed. I also experienced stress cracks around the cabin door. I sold the boat after 1 season. I still like Baja and own a 280 Sportfish. Bottom line, you get what you pay for.

Well guys I have to agree to disagree with you. I now that older Baja's Pre 2000 the quality wasn't really there. But the have changed now I had a 2000 272 boat with the boss package no windshield. The boat was killer looking, received comments every where I went. My buddies had a Powerquest 260, the other had a 27 Formula, we all had 502's My boat was the fastest ever time we raced. As far as Chin walking never had a issue with that unless you trimmed it to the moon. I did have one issue with the boat is cracking around the lower part of the door but, Baja covered it every time. Any issues I had they covered no problem at once. One more thing I sold my boat within one month for a thousand less than I paid for it!:cool:

Why not just write "MY BOAT SUCKS" on the for sale sign? If you want to sell it, you need to do some bragging. Are you sure you know how to drive it? The 272 is a damned good boat! :o

ive done alot of bragging trying to sell it---didnt work!

yes i know how to drive it

dam good boat??? no baja as a whole is more like an average boat

not to say i haven't had a good time using it it hasn't given me any problems besides resale--but in my opinion baja is more an entry level boat

which isn't all bad , bayliner has a large fallowing to--theres a boat for everyone

I wouldn't get all worked up over Dave 502 with only 9 posts.

He is just one of those A-Holes who has an axe to grind and cannot come on here and tell us who he really is.

If his story is true he must have one ragged out boat.

I've got a 98 25' Outlaw,it has 325hrs. on it I have one crack in the corner of the cockpit,other than that it looks brand new no fading,stress cracks,the interior still feels like a new boat,I don't know what people expect out of things, maybe people should think about taking better care of their ****,instead of blaming the problems on the manufacture,you hear it with everything boats,cars,snowmobiles it doesn't matter what it is.I think people just like to hear themselves *****.

Yep, go to this same thread in the PQ forum. He has shown up there as well....under a diferent name. This thread (actually there are 4 or 5 threads working) has been fun to watch. Opinions are like.....well you know.

I am currently a proud PQ owner, but also a proud two time Baja owner. My 272 was solid and NEVER porpoised or chine walked. (My 232 was a different story, but that's OT.) But I have already said my peice elsewhere. And I think Lucky is listening.

I know he test drove a Sunsation 288 yesterday.

I think it may be "Luv-N-It"..........

He's been smelling those gas fumes from that Chevy too long!!!!!!!!!!!!

It hasnt given you any problems because like I said, its a damned good boat! There are 1000s of boats out there that havent sold. Just a bad time, nothing to do with being a BAJA. We have a couple cars on the lot that are almost perfect, and we cant hardly give them away.

I totally disagree with the average boat statement. Take a ride on Dock Holidays boat. If you come back, and still call it average, I will kiss your bare ass on TV (that is if Dock doesnt throw you overboard before you get back!) :D

Isnt 502 the police scanner code for a drunk driver? :drool:

I am a Baja owner and I have to agree with Dave 502, my 1998 272 had a slight blemish in the mold work, but more concernining was the way it chine walked at 65 mph. I would drag the tabs alittle to stablize the ride at a 2-3 mph loss of speed. I also experienced stress cracks around the cabin door. I sold the boat after 1 season. I still like Baja and own a 280 Sportfish. Bottom line, you get what you pay for.

if you dont thyes i posted my opinion in the powerquest forum also---so did lucky--so just replying to him -- and my boat is flawless besides the factory blemishes in the mold

502--if you didnt have a clue already is for 502mpi

and ill bet my ass my boat is in better shape than anyones here---unless your boat has less than 20 hrs on it


i would have to agree a little with bad timming because i to have had 3 cars 2 trucks that i was selling and not much luck---but i have recently sold 2 of them just not the baja

Dock, LMAO! Keep it up and I'm going to buy you that purple 36' Outlaw carpet Greg has for sale in the classifieds.

You are exactly right! I was not on the board yesterday at all. I was sucking those diesel fumes all day long on the road. 11 hrs of 75 mph in Ohio and Pennslyvania....only 20.3 MPG:p :eek: :D

I have a 1996 272. No issue at all with the craftsman ship. I have been in 3-5 ft swells and I felt safe too. Didn't run all out @ 5,000 RPM's, but I really didn't want to drink coffee at the same time either:D

7' swells and can't tell:confused: Wow! By every boat like that. I have personally driven a 280 silencer, did not have a four blade prop, but I tell you want, I drove it on calm water and the thing chine walked so bad I didn't feel safe in it at all.

Now back to the fumes:D

I'll be looking for it. "THANKS"

We bought a new 2000 model 272 and REALLY enjoyed it. It is one of the best all around boats you can buy.

At the end of 2001 season it had almost 200 hours on it.

We paid $64,000 new with a Myco trailer and had added a few extra's like some stereo stuff and a VHF radio. The first guy that showed up to look at the boat wanted it but could not get financed. I was asking $62,500 and the second guy that showed up had $59,000 cash and he got a new boat. It was a very easy boat to sell. A good friend of mine just sold her 232 and it only took about a month.

In the area I am in Baja is much better known than PowerQuest. The very first PowerQuest I ever saw was at the Charlotte boat show a couple of years back now and I fell in love with it. Great graphics, nice styling, etc. It was a 340 with 496HO's. The problem was the price. The new to PowerQuest dealer wanted $189,000 for it!

I bought a NEW 36 Outlaw with 500 EFI's, many more options including A/C with a Myco trailer for less money. Had the dealer with the PowerQuest priced the boat right I would have bought it. But now I am much happier that things went like they did, I ended up with a lot more boat.

As for ride, the PowerQuest does ride nice. But anyone that says a Baja does not is badly mistaken. That has always been a strong point with Baja and a key reason they remain a true deep vee boat today.

The ride was so good on the 272 we had that another friend sold his 29 Fountain after his wife rode in our boat and complained about their Fountain.

As for not being able to get a live person on the phone at Baja, I have found that to be no problem at all. When our dealer lost the line, Baja was very easy to deal with direct and always stayed in touch with me by both phone and e-mail.

No complaints here. I am on my third Baja, I have currently six different friends with Baja's and one is in the process of selling his 25 Outlaw and buying a 33 Outlaw. This will also be his third.

Outlaw hulls are the best ones they make for sure. Great ride in any conditions just slower than stepped with the same power because of the deep vee. Great boats though.

Hell just about everyone today builds a good boat, you can always get a bad one every once in a while, and true you get what you pay for, Baja is not the best but it is by far the worst, so it all goes to how much money you have to spend, what kind of dealer service will you get, and many other factors, dont buy a boat because someone says buy brand X, it is the best, its your money, go out there and compare what you like, you will be paying the note on it
Mark

1999 272 boss package
has everything 502mpi
nada said 54k
i have it for sale for 39k
it is in new condition no blemishes stored inside always

Dallas boats is a boat selling website, you should check it out, he sold my 25 not long ago, 4 the price whats there to lose, nada is not always acurate

can you send me some pics of your 272?
[email protected]

(Post #36)


Hello Guys,

I wanted to take a minute to thank each and everyone who helped contribute their input in my quest to purchase a new boat. It was a very tough choice and everyone I dealt with was very professional and helpful.

This site gave me some great information as well as some things I had not even considered.

All I can say is that it is a Sunsational day today!

I decided to purchase the Sunsation 288.

One of the biggest factors was the length 28' 8" and the fact that I live about 30 minutes from the factory itself.

Thanks again to everyone!

Dave

Congrats Dave!

Post some pictures when you can, and enjoy the boat!

Hey Dock,

I certainly will. I can't wait to get my first offshore boat.

The test drive that Dave took me for was very exciting.

This boat will at least for a short time have more than I need!

Dave

Don't be so sure of that...the 3'itis can come on at anytime and really overwhelm ya!;) Enjoy the boat!