Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

:rolleyes: I currently have a Baja 25 outlaw and love it. We are wanting to go bigger though. Looking for better ride in rough stuff and cruise, not neccisarily top speed. Would like it to run around 70mph at least though wot. I have found deals on both a 2004 292 Fastech(6.2's) and a 33 Outlaw(496ho's) both with low hours. The 292 is about $20,000 less though. Just curios on others opinions on the two?

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Formula has an air induction hull and the Baja does not. Formula would be faster if size and power were equal due to the hull difference. That being said, the Baja will track/handle better in a turn with more speed...to a point. With fuel the way it is, the 6.2's on the smaller boat will burn a hell of a lot less then the 33 with 496's. Have fun, good luck, both are nice boats.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

I disagree, I think the 33 Outlaw will be faster but who knows ?? Take a GPS and demo both that is what I would do. As for the two boats your not really comparing apples to apples. but Given the two I would go with the Baja.

WILL

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

how about considering investment, quality and re-sale? Baja ha ah ha!




Buy the formula.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Formula, hands down.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Formula

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

I've got a 33 Outlaw and love it. I thought resale when ordering and so did a factory custom paint, making it, I believe, more appealing for resale.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

find a Fountain!!!!!!! or Formula

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

292s are pigs with 6.2s. Buy the 33 Outlaw, faster and has alot more room.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Baja hands down.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

I've had both Baja's and Formulas, and both boats served the same purpose, bought both brands used, resale/detail/fit/finish was better on the Formula, Purchase price was better on the Baja's,had no issues really with either brand, the Baja's handled a little better(true v bottoms) versus the Fastech hull design..Both good boats, but you've got to compare apples to apples, 292 Formula to a 33 Outlaw isn't much of a comparison.......Contrary to what us guys have always tried to get our women to believe,,,,,,SIZE DOES MATTER.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Another thought, rather than a 292 with 6.2's, I personally would look for maybe a 336, or older 311 in good shape. There are a few out there and they are tremendous boats.

The 292 is actually more of a 27 footer with an attached swim platform glassed in. For actual size comparison, the closest to a 33 Outlaw would be a 353 Formula. The 336 would be very close, as the older 311's.

My 89' 311 still does not rattle anywhere. It's not the fastest boat by any means, but it handles the rough stuff as well as any boat anywhere near it's size, better than most. Just my two cents.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Your ugly - no your ugly - no your ugly -no your ugly - oh ya? - ya!
:argue: :argue: :argue: :blaster: :blaster:





Get comfortable, its gonna be a long one.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

They are not the same boat. If your comparing apples to apples, compare the formula to the 29 outlaw. the 33 outlaw is a different boat. if it were between those 2, 33 outlaw all the way. go drive both and make the decision yourself. that 33 is going to feel a lot bigger. If you said you were looking at a 29 formula and a 29 outlaw, thats a different question. those 2 boats, 33 outlaw.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Like mentioned above, the 29 formula is a very small 29 (length and freeboard). The 33 is a much larger, roomier boat.

I think the 33's hold thier value pretty well.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

[QUOTE=Formula Outlaw]Another thought, rather than a 292 with 6.2's, I personally would look for maybe a 336, or older 311 in good shape. There are a few out there and they are tremendous boats.

My boss has a 96 model 336 with 500 h.p.'s and 130 original hours on the boat for sale. This boat is like brand new. It also has a BRAND new trailer. Custom Gaffrig gauges. Let me know if you are interested.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Formula is finished better and is a more solid boat.

The 33 Outlaw will ride much better in rough water. There's a BIG difference between "under 30 feet" and "over 30 feet".

The Formula with twin 6.2/320 horse motors will run pretty good. I guess a solid 72mph (given that the base 300 horse package ran 70 per boattest.com).

The Baja with twin 496HO/425 horse motors should run 72 as well (also from boattest.com).

If there is a ten grand price difference, then that's about right.

The Formula is a pricier boat (in similar sizing), but is smaller, won't ride as well in rough water, but will get about 2.0 mpg at 30mph (2.12 with 300's). 1.9@40mph.
The Baja is larger, roomier, will ride better, will get 1.8 mpg at 28 mph. 1.75@40mph.

My 311 (which measures over 33' with platform) runs similar speeds with 502's and in my opinion doesn't get quite as good of fuel economy as what they are showing on either of these two boats (course it may just be me).

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

I've never owned a Baja but know others who have. I think they that Bajas get a bit of a bad rap. Two things I don't think anyone would argue. 1. The Baja you're talking about is a much bigger (beter riding) boat than the Formula in question. 2. Formula's are very high quality boats. If you look at two similarly powered and sized Formulas and Bajas you'll see that you pay for that Formula quality.

We have two Formulas. My dad's 272 is an '83 with over 1500 hours. Some of those hours (with me behind the wheel) were really hard hours with a lot of wave jumping, and other foolish behavior. It still has all the original rigging including engines and drives (there's something to be said for stock Merc power) and it runs like a top. My 357 is an 85. I also have a buddy with an '85 23' Baja and I can tell you that there is no comparison in the way the two boats have held up. You'd think my Formula was ten years newer than his Baja.

However, given the choice between a 33' Baja and a 29' Formula I think I'd have to go for the bigger boat all other things being equal. After all - size does matter.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

I have a 33 Outlaw and love it. Handles big water very well. Mine has hp 500s but I usally just cruise around 50mph. I had a 29 Fountain which is about the same size as the 292 Formula. The ride difference is night and day. The outlaw mows down just about anything. I have had no problems with mine and the wife loves the room and smooth ride. The fit and finish on mine is great but I do agree the Formula is probably better. That being said, there is no substitute for size. The 33 is a true 33 and over 34 feet with the platform. Mine has the four bolster option which is well worth it Imo. We can put 8 people in the boat. The fountain fit 4, and it was cramped. As far as resale, I don't know anyone that says any boat has great resale right now. Its a buyers market so all boats suck, including Formula. Especially now that you have to compete with Formulas 0% financing. But, I don't buy a boat to sell it; I buy it to use and enjoy it. When I sell it, I expect to take it in the a$$. Boats are not investments they are pleasure. Buy real estate or stocks if you are afraid of what the boat will be worth x years down the road.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Have owned both a baja and a formula,, and would take the baja over the formula any day of the week.. people who talk about fit and finish being better on a formula is a joke,, no offense... :)

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

I just bought a 98 33 Outlaw,I had a 25.One thing that is really cool about the 33 is the cockpit,we were out at Smoke On The Water with six people on board and had plenty of room,it is nice to be able to move around and not feel like you're in a sardine can,and still go 70mph.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

I just demo'd a 383 Formula and a 36 Baja. I bought the Baja. Hands down the Baja rode sooooo much better. Its great that the Formula would be 10 mph faster with the stepped hull and a higher X dimension, but in 3-4' chop I got the $#!& kicked out of me in it at 65 mph where as the Baja can cruise pretty damn comfortable at top speed of almost 80 in the same conditions. The smaller the boat, the bigger this difference too. I'd go for the 33 Outlaw.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

I do not see any comparison between a 382 and a 36 Outlaw. Not even close on construction, fit and finish and for sure price. These boats are at substantially different price points and are designed for and marketed to totally different demographic groups.

Having been around boating for sometime, the Formula will stay in better condition longer and be worth quite a bit more on trade. Baja's are fine boats, but not in the same class as Formula.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

i agree with both testdrv321 and h20warrior with the comparison between the 382 and the 36 outlaw. testdrv321 you left out things like cockpit space, and usable storage. why does formula insist on putting the frig. right in the middle of the only closet? I (and iam sure with the boat that testdrv321 just bought) can afford either the 382 or the 36 and we both chose the 36. I really get tired of people bashing baja's, is it the best out there? no iam not nuts but the 36 is one heck of a ride. I don't remember the formula's being 10 mph faster with the same power either.

the formula you are looking at is 27 feet the baja is 33, if you were deciding between a 353 (have two friends with them, much better balanced boat than the 382) and a 33 that would be a tougher call but i would go with the formula. but with what you are looking at the baja is much more boat.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Baja / Ha ha .....kinda like a the difference between a Hyndai and Vette. Think resale!!!

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

the baja bad rap true or not will hurt resale...3yrs money wise formula all the way... the rest is objective and up to you

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

:drink: I'll have what he's drinking

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Thanks for all the comments.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Was the Formula a 353 or a 382? Having a 382 myself, I find it hard to believe you experienced a rough ride in 3-4's in a 382. Frankly I have to say "bull....". This boat weighs well over 11,000 lbs even when light on fuel. I ran a straight bottom 311 for 12 years before the 382, and the 382 walks through stuff that I would have had to back off in with the 311. It even seems like the steps and air under the hull cushion the landings.

The stepped hulls seem like they are much more sensative to trim. I think drivers new to stepped hulls tend to trim out too much, loosing both speed and ride quality. IMHO, if you had a rough ride in a 382 in 3-4's, you were probably not driving it correctly.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

We've had 3 Bajas and now we are on our third Formula and would nver go back. Formula is just an overall stronger boat.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Just buy a 32 Sunsation and get it over with! :drink: :D

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Formula is a very nice boat but resale is tough when you have the factory giving 0% financing. If you want to step into a new Formula you'll be ok, but if you need to do a private sale it's tough.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

You know,
This cracks me up.
I would hope the resale would be higher on a boat that costs substantially more to start with. If I get 10K more for it x years from now but it cost me 20k more to buy it then where am I making money on this?

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Both are good boats.

I think you will find that the 33 Outlaw is more popular. I know guys looking for them right now.

With boats a foot is like a mile. There is no substitute for length or power.

What ever you buy get the longest and most powerful you can afford and you will enjoy it for a longer period time.

Good luck

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Ive had two of each myself. I prefer the Baja over the Formula. Both are good boats but the newer Bajas are built solid. They get a bad rap as an introductory offshore boat. But Ive got to tell you that I had nothing but great workmanship and a solid hull in my 2001 29' Just my opinion but Baja would be my choice...Hands down

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

I'm not sure how well a 32 Sunsation would stack up size-wise when compared to a 33 Outlaw. As you can see in this picture, that 32 Sunsation in the foreground is dwarfed by that 29 Outlaw in the background.

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

APACHE :drink:

Just kidding, my opinion, for what it's worth. I like the FORMULA over the BAJA, only because I had one and like the "SPORTBOAT" look of the FORMULA. The BAJA has more of an offshore boat look and I think the quality has improved since aquired by Brunswick Corp., same people that own SeaRay. I agree with everyone that is telling you to "go drive the boats and make up your own mind" and I'm not being disrespectful when I say this. Everyone has a different style of boating, myself, I like cruising at 60-65 mph, not 90 or 100. The APACHE does that for me in whatever I want, but YOU need to figure out HOW YOU like to boat, not someone elses opinion of which boat is better. I AM a fan of bigger is better, so if you're looking at a 292 or a 33, get the 33, it's BIGGER, END OF DISCUSSION. BTW, if I sell the 41, I'll either get a 41 "PLEASURE" or another FORMULA. And this is someone that sold a 47 APACHE for a 41 APACHE because I had MORE fun in the 41, it's ALL about what YOU enjoy! Sorry for the rambling, it's Friday night and I had a li'l rum and a li'l wine :drink:

Robert

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Now your talkin!! :drink:

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

Is this a trick question? :p

Re: Help Please: Formula or Baja
 

These kind of theads are interesting. You've got the guys with Formula's bashing BAJA and the guys with BAJAs claiming their ride is the best! Then, after all that, we are comparing brand A to brand B and some guys come in say buy brand C! Hehe! :D

I guess if it were me, I would figure out what my top priority is. Size, Price, Quality? If money were no object, Id go for size and quality. Inspect both boats in person and judge for yourself. Some good points can be made on a thread like this, but 9 times out of 10 these people are going to totally back whatever brand they are currently in. Dont base your decision just because some guy named BubbaOffshoreJunior on OSO says this boat sucks! :drink: