jdevelop2

This will be my first boat and I am looking to spend from 15-20k. Would a 1994 Baja bandit be a good first boat? How much on average would it cost to maintain and insure a boat like this assuming it was in good condition? Thanks in advance!

320es

The bandit is a pretty fast hull but not very good in the rough. It all depends on where you are boating if it would be a good choice. Honestly I think for a first boat you should probably look more into a runabout to get your bumps and bruises in. They are more forgiving and I had just as much fun in my first 17' open bow as any boat I have ever owned. Average cost of insurance and maintainence varies by a HUGE margin.

Audiofn

I would look at 24 superboats and Pantera's and the alike.

Jon

dave911

I have no idea.

TexomaPowerboater

To hell with a runabout - the bumps and bruisers will be worse (if your talking about the ride). I drove runabouts for 6 years, when I switched to a performance boat it was like learning how to drive all over again.

I just sold my 24 python with a 502 - it was kick ass. I wouldn't of sold it but I wanted to buy a nicer boat locally - and it turned out to be a POS - now I have no powerboat . Guess I will just drive my dads for free all summer

Insurance on my 24 powerboat - $257 per year.
Maintenance - normal oil changes and winterization = $150 at spring and fall. If you can keep the maintenance and repairs to $400 per year consider yourself lucky
Unscheduled Maintenance - budget $500 per year for anything that might go wrong. Need to have around $1,000 handy to drop just in case.
Gas - $150 per weekend.
Yearly boat registration 50-120 per year - its different per state.

BOAT - break out another thousand - thats no joke.

Were do you boat at? Get a 24 pantera

leespd

baja for sale in ur price range [email protected]

lee

OkieTunnel

Bandits are "squirrelly" but fast for what they are. I would look at a 24 outlaw if you really want a beginning offshore "style" boat. You should be able to find plenty of these in a similar price range and it will be more stable and handle rough water better. Also the baja Islander (open bow) is a little more user friendly but still has through hull exhaust usually and reasonable performance. Stay with a stock motor and drive. For the years you appear to be looking at that would be the Mercury 7.4, 454mag, 502mag, engines mated to a bravo1 drive.

320es

[QUOTE=TexomaPowerboater;2146914]To hell with a runabout - the bumps and bruisers will be worse (if your talking about the ride). I drove runabouts for 6 years, when I switched to a performance boat it was like learning how to drive all over again.

I didn't mean the ride, just learning how not to be one of the idiots on the water, learn how to use trim and read water etc. I just don't really think that most people should start out with 65mph+ boats.