Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

Everybody cheats, even Baja. My H2X measured 24' with the swim platform. Same exact length as my buddies 22' scarab. I knew that when I bought it though.....

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

Sunsation 32ss = 31' 7" w/platform
IMO less than 30' wo/platform

Baja 30ol = 30' 1" wo/platform
32'2" w/platform

There were some previous posts that say the Sunsation is a bigger boat... The facts show that is impossible...

IMO, there are many different boats brands out there for different people with different tastes. A perfect boat for me could be trash to you.

Test both boats, and choose what is best for you and your family. Just my .02 :drink:

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

Jupiter,

Like I said, "I have never met a boat I did not like".

And certainly Sunsation makes a good product, and a nice looking product. It comes down to a matter of personal taste and for me I like the offshore styling of the Outlaw which rivals the Cigarette look is more pleasing to me. I especially like the aluminum bolt on swim platform over the molded fiberglass style.

Actually Baja has been in business longer, has a racing history and built the pace boat for the APBA a while back. They have the largest share of the performance boat market which means you will see more of them on the water for sure. Does that mean "ME TOO"? It tells me that they have a good product at a good price, a strong dealer network and a product that appeals to the masses.

They have introduced "FIVE" new models in less then three years with some of the most extensive R & D in the industry.

The combination of graphics and colors is huge and they also have two levels of custom shop boats and work with Clayton at Custom Kolors for those that really want something "TRICK".

I just went to the Sunsation website I guess for the first time ever and to me, and this is just my opinion, I'm not putting down the product, but they are limited on models and they all look alike to me. So I see your brand as a "me too", and I guess I can understand how you see Baja. Again it comes down to personal taste, price level, local dealer, etc.

Thanks

Dock

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

Oops, I almost forgot.

I really do like the layout of the cuddy in the Sunsation 32SS.

From the pictures on the website they did a real good job in that department.

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

I've driven both brands of boats, though not these specific models. I have ridden in a 32SS though. Crawl inside and out of both boats, run both boats, get a feel for the support you will get for either boat from the dealerships you plan to purchase the boats through, and then make your decision based on what you feel is the best overall boat/deal. IMO, you won't go wrong either way. I would be proud to own either boat.

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

I believe a Sun w/o the platform is 30'3" compared to the actual 31'7" LOA. That comes out to a 16" difference or 1'4". Probably the least amount of most mfr's. Transom angle is very shallow as well (almost straight up & down).

The SS is a combination of the regular Dominator (deck) and the Innovator (hull/bottom). I actually was tryijng to convince Dave Hare to build me the first SS version (I fondly dubbed the "Terminator" and think they should call it that to avoid the constant confusion) but was told at the time that they were not going to build another version of a 32' boat. Well by the end of the first year of owning my ordered Dominator, sure enough due to popular demand out came the SS model, and I was just a tad ticked.

The SS interior both cockpit and cuddy are designed and layed out by McLeod. No option, it's standard setup. I've been on the 30 OL in Miami and was impressed by the new technology employed in design, but found the cuddy & cockpit to be a bit borish and not much different than older models. The Sunsation on the other hand has undergone constant changes and improvements.

As far as ride is concerned, I would be willing to bet that nobody, and I mean nobody, has put the Sun boat thru the paces more than I, and I could possibly include the brother's Schaldebrand. I ran over 350 hours in my 288, and have roughly 190 hours in my 32 Dominator with twin 496HO's. I'll guarantee the majority of those hours were in the snottiest water the ChesBay/Atlantic/James/Elizabeth Rivers/ Albemarle Sound could hand out and that was not being shy about getting on top and making those puppies work. I'm not talking lake or river wind chop neither. Tidal waters. I have also logged approximately 4-5 hours in the Innovator and I'm familiar with that hull's differences/nuances compared to my standard hull. These boats are outstanding offshore powerboats that really handle the snot and don't crack up. Could be heavier, but then they would be slower. There's always a tradeoff.

With regards to styling; solid construction meaning it can take a "real" whipping on real heavy water and not spider or crack or have cabinets come off; factory support "IF" needed, personally I've required none (made more impressive by re-reading my experience paragraph above); very sexy dash/cuddy layout/design work; very practical cockpit design where nothing is there strictly for aesthetics, it has purpose; and the fact that there's not one around every corner. Compared to pricing, I would without question give the nod to Sunsation when comapring these two.

I like Baja's especially the bigger ones, but when comparing just the 30 to the 32SS we are really talking two separate classes of boats. But as someone said above you go look, drive, and walk away with the one that knocks your socks off despite what we say here. One could look at all these comments and come away with the knowledge that no one said anything derogatory about either one really. So that speaks volumes about both. Taste and the feel good affect is what will do it for you in your decision.

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

From what I seen at the St. Louis boat show Sunsation did a great job in every department with their boats. Quite a few examples of pride in workmanship were easily apparent at that show with them being right across the aisle from the Baja display. The pride in the small builder thought process along with workmanship, vs the big production built boat, was very obvious.
Baja is a fine product that builds many boats.. Along with that you get the issues at times typically found with production built boats. To think your getting the attention to detail found in a semi custom builders boat is just not practical - and will never happen. All the wind testing and R&D in the world won't change that. It was really a apples to oranges diffrence from gel work, rigging, lay-out and even on down to fit and finish and the prices reflected that, as well they should have. Customer Service is a given with the Sunsation, where it's a hit and miss with Baja as proven by many threads everywhere about Baja Customer Service and issues by Baja Customers.

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

Forget the platform /no platform yakkin...... go into a 32SS cabin and a 30 OL cabin and there is no question..... 32SS is bigger.

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

Hey ChromeGorilla,

Just curious why you are using two different screen names?

NefariousOne = ChromeGorilla.

What's up with that?

Dock

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

When I moved up here to SC my email changed. Plus I started using Firefox vs IE. When I tried to log in it said oso had done something to the accounts and click here to get your password blah blah blah...... well my Chromegorilla had my old email addy so I couldn't access it, so I created a new one with the new email account. SO I just planned on using the NefOne name from now on..... so how did the CG posts appear you asks...ahhhh....

My wife connected with IE the other day (which surprised me cause I have been having major problems with IE and haven't been able to use it at all) So when I clicked over to OSO I was already logged in as CG... dunno how but I was.(Like a "remember password deal thingy") I didn't know I was using IE and assumed I was using Firefix. I thought I had logged in as Nefone..... After a few posts I saw I was actually posting under the old account. Thats why I have been trying to just post under the new account in the last few posts.

Shouldn't be a problem , cuz IE pooped itself again on my puter and I can only use Firefox.... which is fine by me...

So CG everywhere else but...NefariousOne here.....

I actually pointed out in my very first post as NefariousOne that it was in fact me....Chromegorilla. Never tried to hide it.

and so ends the story.... :drink:

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

Hello everyone!
Just arrived home from the airport (from my trip South of the border to test a Sunsation 32SS) and found so many postings that I can't address them all. All I can say is thanks to all of you....it was very much appreciated. To sum it up, I am going to order the 32SS with 525's tomorrow. As I mentioned before, Joe was sick with sun poisoning so I couldn't visit the factory so I visited a dealer in Grand Haven that had one in stock (496HO's). It was the only time I could get away and wanted to make my decision. Marc (the GM of Wharf Marina) was very pleasant to deal with and has 3 brand new Sunsatons in stock (288, 32 open bow, and 32SS). It's a new line for them and I'm confident they will do very well. I went for a ride in the boat and was very impressed. Talked to Joe on the phone and found him to be most accomodating. Here's what my decision was based on:

Past Baja Experience.........had a 25 OL (2000) and loved it.
Present Baja Experience....Flew to dealer in Western USA to see and drive in a 30OL.....loved the boat and was promised quote(I wanted 525's, Mcleod II bolsters, ITS drives etc) by Tues following week......Wed I called asking for quote....nothing......Friday.....still nothing. (In fairness to this dealer, I think they were waiting on Baja to get back to them which surprises me that a big company like Baja doesn't have a simple system in place that could answer dealers requests in a matter of minutes!). Anyway, gave up here and contacted another much bigger dealer......made an offer and was promised a phone call by noon the next day with what I thought would be a done deal or counter offer.......I called him at 3 oclock and left him a voice mail asking him if he had forgotten about me.....3 days later....nothing and today (about 2 weeks later) still nothing. In the meantime, I sent Baja 2 emails........one asking about the effects of ITS drives on the 30OL and the other asking them to courier me the new colors for 2007........to date, no return emails and no package with current colors. I asked myself if this is the kind of service I am getting when trying to spend very close to 200K, what is going to happen if I have a problem!!! As I'm sure you all can appreciate and have experienced,it takes a lot of time to research a boat and this was a total waste of my time and now I had to start all over again. I looked at Fountains, Cigs (both out of my league for what I wanted) and someone suggested I take a look at Sunsation. I talked to 3 of their dealers to get a feel for pricing.......each and every one of them got back to me the same day and were most accomodating. I talked to the Sunsation head honcho of Sales (Dave) and he didn't do any bad mouthing of any other boats and told me that he would fly myself and my wife to the factory to see what a Sunsation boat is all about......no obligation to buy. I should also mention that my correspondance by phone and email was done on a Saturday and Sunday with him. Joe (one of the owners) tells me on the phone that they will have the boat completely tested and rigged at the factory because of the great distance I am away from the nearest dealer and already had a plan in place how he could still service me directly from the factory (through a Mercury approved dealer which we have several here) and that he would personally make recommendations to me (he said of course it's up to me whether I choose to do so or not) on how to best set up this boat. Anyway, it was a no-brainer for me and at this point in time, I have no question in my mind that I have made the correct decision. The biggest problem..........no boat til August ! Thanks again guys/gal.....your help was very useful in educating me about these 2 boat types.

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

Wise decision Grasshopper. :cool: Congrats!

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

Agreed, you won't be disapointed!

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

Dun,

Congratulations on your Sunsation decision. You won't be disappointed. Note that Mitcher T will be painting your new boat and there are quite a few positive threads on OSO regarding him and his work.

A lot can be said for being able to deal with the owners directly on customer service issues. Sorry to hear Baja dropped the ball on their customer service, their CSR's must not have heard the phone ringing with all the wind tunnel testing going on! :D

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

good luck with the boat and 525's, nice!

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

Congrats, good derision. I'll look for it in the "Just Left the Factory" section on the Sunsation web site.

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

I'm jealous. :snide: a 32SS with 525's. Very nice package. So what other options are you getting?

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

Reckless32...they come pretty much loaded up....ordered the 525's, Mcleod seats are standard/required,engine flush kit, painted dash panels, billet colored throttles/drive controls, deluxe stereo, table, drive showers, painted fairings, matching deck graphics and a nicely done up trailer. Should turn out nice......hopein so anyway!!
Dun

Re: Baja 30OL or Sunsation32SS
 

LMAO :D :D

Just got back from 1 day at McLeods and all day today at the factory. New pics tomorrow. Did not get to start engines, but lots of other things to tinker with.