What to do
 

Hi I'm looking at 3 different boats not wanting to spend over 20 grand.
1. 1991 baja 260 with 340 hrs $13,500
2. 1997 baja 240 listed for $13,200 with low hours
3. 1995 baja outlaw 24 with new 454 with only 30 hrs on motor and warranty thought this month on it $19,995
Since this will be my first boat not sure really what to look for and what's is the best boat for the money
The only thing that really turns me off about the baja 240 and the outlaw is that you have to crawl though the opening
to get into the cuddy witch seems like it would be a huge pain in the butt. Also the fact the outlaw has pink in it witch is a huge turn off but a brand new motor with warranty seems nice. The walk though cuddy in the 260 is nice but buying a 23 year old boat doesn't sound to promising and I think it would be really hard to resale when the time came to upgrade. But it also has low hrs and has been very well takin care of which is a plus.
Thanks any input would help don't want to make 13 or 20 grand mistake.

Dont be in a rush,,wait it out and you will find what you want..look at other brands as well ..dont just focus on baja..look at checkmate,wellcraft scarab and formula as well.lots of deals out their..

this one is clean http://louisville.craigslist.org/boa/4054699863.html

Yeah I have looked at a bunch of other brands have been looking for about 5 to 6 months now. Looked at a couple fountain fevers, sunstations to. Not in a big rush just wondering about what I have found around here don't want to drive all over the place looking at boats. I was just wondering what people thought of these

What yall think of this http://louisville.craigslist.org/boa/4041961177.html

First boat?? I would stay with a naturally aspirated merc 454 or 502. You need reliability before a temperamental engine frustrates you and takes you out of the game.

I can speak for the 91 260 as I had one for 14 years (96-2010). Great boat as it has lots of room in the cockpit. Not fast, maybe 55, and because of 21 degree deadrise, can be a little rough ride when the water is chopped up. Trim tabs help this if installed. I had done lots of upgrades on mine thoughout the years including marine air. Sold it to a friend for $12000 in 2010. That 252 on Craigslist that FIXX posted is a great looking one.

If you willing to stretch your budget by about $5k, I have a 2003 Velocity 260 w/496 mag for sale. (Not knocking Baja, but Velocity Boats are built and designed much better) Starts every time, gets good fuel economy and can run upwards of 74 GPS. It has a 2 year old interior, runs like a champ and needs nothing. Also comes on an aluminum trailer.. If interested PM and I will forward more info and pics.

I agree, whatever you get, make it stock engine so you can get used to boating, you don't need any additional headaches on your first boat.

Out of the 3 I would go with the Baja Outlaw 24. It's got an old school offshore look and a deep vee. Don't forget you have drop down bolster seats too. I would make sure the engine is stock. Don't get the modified at all because the reliability is not their.

My Dad downsized this season from a 30 formula to a 2000 24' outlaw. He said he's just getting to old to handle a bigger boat (banging off docks :whistle:) but will never have a cruiser lol. Anyway, I have went out with him several times this season trying props and I drove it quite a bit. I was actually surprised how well it handles, very predictable and can hold its own when things get a little rougher. His has the 502 and runs about 68-70 with 3 blade and 64-66 4 blade and planes much better. Bolsters are a must in my book so that narrowed it down for him also. It's pretty much a proven hull that's been around for some time now, Hope this helps you out, good luck!

So what's next? :whistle:

I'll vouch for this boat, it's clean!

out of the 3 I'd take the 24 outlaw . if your budget does have some stretch i would be willing to hear an offer on my 25 AT .

I'm hopefully going down to Louisville Friday to look at the 1995 baja outlaw as long as my bank says its worth what there asking for it.

No boday has asked.

Where are you going to boat? How many people do you want to take with you? Do you plan to over night on it? What do you have to pull it with?

Here is a nice one... :)

http://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/boa/3999379815.html

Lake missinawa in Peru Indiana it not really big and not very choppy I have a 06 dodge 1500 4x4 lifted tires its big enough to pull what I need it for as for staying out on the boat not very often and may four to six people plus I have my first baby on way is the main reason for my spending limit

Sold my 2011 Harley street glide thus summer for a boat and have been looking for a while I'm one of those kind of people how loves to have big toys lol

They didn't make the 24 in 2000, 98 was the last year. If its a 2000 it's a 25.

PM sent

Be sure to have a marine surveyor look at it before you buy it.

Just so you know what some other 24 outlaws are going for.

http://rochester.craigslist.org/boa/4082921373.html 1998 baja 24'

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/boa/4127120926.html 1993 baja 24'

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/boa/4011431432.html 1998 baja 25'

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/boa/4003588591.html 2000 baja 24'

Make sure you have someone look it over for you good too a couple extra eyes never hurt.

Dont be afraid to look for someone asking 25k for there boat they would most likely take a lower price this time of year.

Any boat will be fine on that lake as far as ride

I would be after the 260 in that case. Most room and comfort in that size with a baby. I had one and loved it.

Looking at to go with a 36' concept I think.

My 22' Scarab is my first boat, after having it for a season and many nights staying at the lake on it I recommend buying the largest boat you can afford especially with the kid on the way!

I'm sorry I put the year of his formula. The baja is a 98 24' outlaw, Thanks for the correction.

Look at my 242 in classifieds it's completely updated twin 350s livorsi gauges real nice boat it's a formula 242 for sale on oso

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o54136-en.html

That's a nice boat.

Price looks good also!

Indeed, I would take that over any of those Baja's.

24 outlaw all the way...no question about it!

I hope your not going to look at the 24 Outlaw at Searay of Louisville ,its junk!

Here's one for you. Just like a Baja or Donzi. Very similar. 1994 Infinity, 265. Cuddy, Porta P. 454 Merc Mag, Bravo 1. Silent choice, Trim tabs. etc. Tandem trl. (needs fenders) New starter, Water and circ, pump. Nothing to do just wax, put your graphics on it (all white),. and gas. Now the good part. :) it's only $8500.

Whatever you buy, make sure you have the hull checked out for moisture / rot. There are a lot of boats out there that may look pretty nice on the surface, and may even run nice, but if they were left outside in the elements, even on a trailer, there is a chance that there could be some rot hiding in the stringers and/or transom that could turn into an expensive PITA. There were a LOT of boats built, especially in the 90's, where corners were cut on the construction and surfaces were not sealed properly when screws were run into fiberglass-encapsulated wood. I have seen too many horror stories about inexperienced boat shoppers getting stung - and sometimes the seller is honest but does not know himself that he has a rotten boat.

If you can find a boat that was trailered and stored inside its whole life, you may have some peace of mind. But I have seen too many boats that were owned by idiots who stored them in a gravel lot with a leaky or non-existent cover, left the plug in, and then forgot about them all winter while they filled up with water and rotted away. Be careful!

Good point Bud. And be aware of "northern" boats, with winter/frost issues. Especially more then a year or two old. Unless the boat was stored inside, heated place, you Will HAVE FROST ISSUES, HAIRLINE CRACKS, ETC. Even if the boat was "winterized" adequately, there WILL be freeze related issues. I know, I'm from Chicago. (BTW, just for the record, My Infinity never seen snow or frost. I bought it new in 94, spent the summer in Chicago and moved to FLA early fall. )