Baja, sunsation, formula
 

Hi ya'll. Like to move from 24' family boat to twin engine sport boat. Last sport i had was 20' 460 jet boat in 1984. Have not been on any sport boat since. By reading and looking at boats during poker runs, tickfaw 200, I like the sunsation and formulas for the years, 2004 to 2007, and price. Not sure what sunsation ss closed bow sells for, Mcob list for 99000, more than I like. Dominator 32 with 496 motors is better priced. Formula 292 is another choice. Looks nice. 353 may be too pricy. 312 possible if good shape. Next is baja 30, 33 outlaw. Graphics not my favorite, do they rattle or squeak? Hate rattles. Would be because of price, although they list for just as much. First would be sunny 32 dominator, ss next. Second, 292 will I want a 32 with bb before long? Last, baja for price point if less money. Oh, I did stand in a 32 fountain last year, super nice shape, but no. Couldn't hardly sit and didn't like water through vents issue. What ya'll think. Has anyone seen the dominator in maurepas, la? Been listed for a while.

Of all those boats you mentioned, by far the best choice is a well maintained Formula 353 or Baja 33 Outlaw, preferably 2004 or newer. I owned a 2004 33 Baja and loved it for its size. Very easy to drive and dock. Predictable with lots of room. Excellent ride. My best friend had a 353 Formula which was a great boat also excellent ride, but I liked the layout of the Baja cockpit better. The Baja was not a step hull and was about 1-2 mph slower than my friend's 353. Both had 496 Mag HOs. The 353 did have a slight problem with porpoising. Both had Bravo I 26P props.

I do not recommend the 312 Formula, which is what my friend had before his 353. This boat really had a problem with porpoising, especially with 2-3 people in the back seat. It also rode amazingly rough, slamming down after waves unlike the 353 or 33 which land much more softly.

I do not recommend the Sunsation. Although they ride fine, there are model years with hull structural issues. Two 32' models cracked the hull midway after jumping freighter wakes in the Houston ship channel about 8-10 years ago. One so badly it sank and the riders had to be rescued.

Don't forget to look at 35 or 38 Fountain. Very good riding in the rough and faster than the others above with stock power.

Happy hunting!!

Don't underestimate Baja just because they are well priced. Nice boats, 30' is a true 30 footer (excludes boarding platform) so it compares to some larger boats that include platform in their overall length. Simple straight bottom 24 degree Vee, easy to drive. Stepped boats are always a bit faster but need a bit more learning and attention to get the most out of them.

Sunsation had changes in the hull. I think around '05 (?) they introduced the extra step design. Do some searching on here, lots of info to be found.

Formula is the smallest but a very solid build, quite heavy but get a great rap. Most had twin 350's or 6.2's and a few with scorpions. Scorpions will probably cost a few more bucks and a bit more on maintenance just to gain a few mph. How important is the top speed?

Three different boats, all have their strong points, have a look at a few first then maybe a drive if you can. You wouldn't be unhappy with any of them if you accept their size and performance limitations. What is most important to you??

Happy shopping!
RR

EDIT: Wile I was typing, On Time mentioned the 'F' word, Fountains are great and the 32 is not the roomiest in the stable. Always a few nice looking 35's advertised and certainly faster than most other boats with comparable power.

There is a reason why a Formula is more expensive than a Baja. It is a better built boat. I own a 292 and absolutely love it (353 out of my price range and towing capacity). Just my opinion.

I had 2 Formulas as my first 2 boats, an F3LS (21') and a 242LS, which I didn't mention because smaller than what OP was looking for. Both boats were fine, and rode great for their size. The 242 hatch lifting ram fell off one day and we discovered a totally rotted transom that cost $5000 to fix. The previous owner had added thru-hull exhaust and we thought they probably didn't seal the openings well but the entire transom was mush. My Fountain is built solid as a rock but many people don't like the "beak"...my wife and I got over it and never looked back...

The problem w Formulas is the crap swim platform that the exhaust runs thru in the corners. I have heard about lots of rot.

Our 29 Outlaw is still running Strong w over 1200 hours or so on the bone stock- Never touched- 454 Mags MPIs. And once you have an aluminum swim platform it will be hard to have a boat without one.
The 33 Outlaw is one of the best buys for size and room. IMO
Have fun shopping

+1 on the 33Outlaw, owned one for several yrs, great boat........

Be fair with Sunsation, that did happen with the "Dragon" themed boat but it also had big power and the guy stuffed the nose and wrecked the boat. Freighter wakes are no joke! There also have been a few spinouts with the early twin step hulls that resulted in scrapped hulls. The bottom was changed a year or so later to try to keep the boats and their owners out of trouble. Remember Tres Martin has been involved with Sunsation's hull designs on a few boats now and I would say he would be the best guy in the business to help design safer step bottom boats.

33 Outlaw has one of the best side profiles out there too!

Yes I've heard about Tres' involvement and like him a lot. I took his class after we got the 42 Fountain and always use his great advice. I have nothing against Sunsation was just sharing what I remember. Their new CC's are beautiful especially the 34.

We have lots of folks down here tempting fate and jumping those enormous swells but the only other boat I heard of cracking was a 45 Sonic w trips that was repaired and still lives in the area.

Looking for something that is comfortable to drive and handle. Access to bow from cockpit ffor launching would be good. Bikini top for wife probably necessary. One that could be added and looks neat. Baja is larger cockpit so not sure how it would look. Top speed not biggest issue. Yet. Fountain 32 too tight. Is 35 better? What about left hand controls? Driving each one won't be easy due to location. like to go to different lakes, probably won't happen, so boating south Louisiana is my boating area. Just need to pick one and drive. Probably would like whichever I drove first. Need starting point.

Here is one that isn't too far from you as a starting point. (Just saw it on craigslist I know nothing about it.) Looks good in photos.
https://collegestation.craigslist.or...419248606.html
Good luck.

The formulas with the rotting swim platforms bolted on and stopped in the early 90s .He's talking about a formula a lot newer than that. Any formula after 1998 only has wood in the transom . Jeff wurl

Then concentrate on Fountain 35, Baja 33 Outlaw, Formula 353, in no particular order. I suggest 2004 or newer because of the more modern engines. 496s with 800 hours are still going strong.

Ok, thanks. Bimini top better for boat. Bikini top for wife, well. Lol

Re 353 porpoising
 

I have never had a problem with porpoising on my 353 - fyi.

I never had a porpoising issue either....... I think it will be up to you in end. What boat is going to suit your needs and Wants best.

Whats the tow truck ??....the El Camino wont do well with a 38.....:lolhit:

I've always liked Formulas, my last boat was an awesome Fountain but from what you've written above, I'd be looking at Baja first. Stock 496's for decent performance and excellent reliability, good cockpit with higher sides and easy to drive.

RR

P.S. I was going to ask for a pic of the "bikini top for wife"... haha!

I see several comments regarding Formulas porpoising. The 312 was terrible at it. My wife would joke about it to me afterwards. The 353 was much milder, minimal really, but worst at about 3200-3500 rpm as I remember. I asked my friend why he couldn't stop it. He said it doesn't run as well if I trim it down. I said well yes but you are porpoising! He liked it trimmed bow up and perhaps too much. I never got a chance to drive it. My 33 Baja would not porpoise no matter how I trimmed it. My 42 Fountain won't porpoise. My 35 Marlago will porpoise trimmed up too high with a full tank of gas but will not porpoise if 1/3 tank or less. The ski boat won't porpoise.

Jus' sayin'.

are non powered seats in the Baja a big deal? Also, would 500 hrs be any problem on 496ho's? If boat looks good have to believe motors were properly maintained. The scan of motors would help with hours, will it tell anything else? How about drives at these hours? See one Baja with 500 and formula with 280. Price difference is 15000. Any thoughts?

In order, I think powered seats are important. 500 hrs not a prob for 496s run moderately with oil changes every 25-50 hrs. Be sure they used a quality multigrade oil and not 40 or 50W single grade. Scan will tell you number of hours and how much time spent at each rpm. Drives are dependent on several factors including props and how much wave jumping was done but again at least annual oil changes are mandatory for good service. Take off the props and check for twisted splines. Grab the drive in the down position and lift it and see how much play in the bearings there is. Prices are set to what owner thinks he can get and how fast he needs to sell. Go see the boats if they look good to you but absolutely, get a marine survey.

We love our 33ol.. lots of room, rides well and great lines. You’ll see us at tickfaw 200... usually at prop stop! Non-powered seats.. honestly I rarely put the bolster up, usually slouch down and relax 90% of the time.

Hoping to be in a sport boat this time around at tickfaw 200. Nice boat. Read about what you have done: good job.

How does someone go about buying boats when weather is cold and want to do test run? Do dealers or private owners have any problem about going out in the cold? Can you get a feel for the boat if freezing while doing it? Just bundle up I suspect.