Offshoreonly.com - All BAJA owners please advise me as to what to do...

If you are capable of waiting...

Wait one season a buy a BIGGER used boat. It will keep you from getting 4-foot-itis sooner than you think. I would not recomment buying a new boat. They ALL have gremlins. If you pick one up 1-2 seasons old, it should have all the gremlins worked out before you buy it. Pick something up with stock power and extended warranties, and you should be able to get 3 seasons of trouble free/warranteed boating with no problem.

My reasoning:
I almost bought a new 22/23 Stingray when I was interested in this sport. Before I even bought one, I found myself stretching pictures on the computer making it look longer than it was. I waited a season, and dropped my name with a few boat dealers; telling them I was looking for something not the norm, but still starter boat capable. One called out of the blue one day; and I ended up with a 99 Sonic w/ a HP500EFI. It was two seasons old, both owners before me had traded up to 31 Sonics after one season. The engine had been replaced under warranty (rev limited let go and seized 6 pistons), and the boat had an extended 5 year powertrain warranty as well as Sonic's 5 year hull warranty. I still chased a few gremlins, but for the extreme majority of owning it 3 seasons, I only had to be towed in once, after rupturing a hydraulic steering line on the transom. I sold the boat sight unseen across the country, and the new owners could NOT be happier.

I could have afforded an upgrade after 1-2 seasons, however, I opted not to go to the 31-33 foot range. I saved up and waited, and went right to a 37' Active Thunder. Patience does pay off. Even if you opt for a little less motor in the boat than you want, you can always get more HP. You can't stretch a boat. My 37' has 496HOs and I miss my 500EFI. However, I can always swap to new blue warrranteed motors someday or better.