Hi guys, I'm new in to Bajas and i'm looking to buy a 2001 342 w 496's but i'll like to have your opinion about how she will run in a 3 to 5 foot caribbean Atlantic sea (Puerto Rico) up & downwind, I actually own a '99 302 Scarab w 250 merc's and it run outstanding in that conditions, what you guys think does it worth the upgrade in lenght and cabin amenities and how will the rides compare, looking forward to your sugestions thanks.

Welcome to the site and to Baja.

There is no doubt in my mind that the 342 with the relaible 496 package would be a great boat for your needs.

I have ran beside 342's in some rough poker runs and they are a very capable hull.

Good luck

Having had a 2000 342 with 502 for 5 years, I would have to say seas approaching 5 ft on a consistent basis would be too much for this boat to handle. The only difference, other than the engine package(I had 502's) is the size of the cockpit/sunpad between the two years. The 2001 has a larger cockpit with available wetbar/l shaped seating and a smaller sunpad/engine room. Not that I ran the boat in large offshore conditions, the boat was a great lakes boat, we did, on numerous occasions experience rough conditions on Lake Erie/Huron. Wave conditions as you have stated would tax this hull design, which did have a propoising tendency(could think of numerous bow stuffing in following seas). I also would think you would experience issues with the headliner sagging and cabinet/joinery issues from the constant pounding. I also have seen numerous 342's with stress cracks in the deck around the mid cleat along the rub rail from excessive pounding in rough conditions. That being said, it is a nice riding boat, but does have limitiations and is more suited for smaller wave action. Just my opinion.

I guess that answered the guys question.

Thanks for your input, very helpfull.

FOUNTAIN FOUNTAIN FOUNTAIN

Thanks for the Fountain advise, after your imput I''m considering a 42 Lightning and a Corsa 12 meter both are 10+ yrs. older than the Baja but i think I'll get the smothnes i'm looking in our not so flat waters, thanks again for your time and suggestions.

I have to disagree with some here.
If you go to a longer boat it will ride better, I don't care what brand it is!
I haven't owned a 342, but I can tell you that my 33 can take some rough water.
Not to take away from the fountain lovers, but the 342 is a well-designed, solid hull that will ride well safely in most conditions that you would consider.
Every brand has occasional issues with cabinets and headliners from rough water. That's just part of the deal from the rough stuff. I've never had a headliner or cabinet issue in any of the Bajas I've owned. (but I don't chase big water either!).
A 40 Outlaw will take some bigger stuff, or a 442.
Don't be swayed by some who think their brand of boat is the only one capable of anything. There are a lot of boats that will do what you want.

I made an assumption that the sea conditions would only be occasionally and you would not be in those seas all the time.

If it is a matter of going out and the seas pick up and you simply want to get back in safely then the Baja or the Fountain would be fine.

If you are boating all the time in TRUE three to five foot seas then I would not buy a performance boat but instead buy a larger cruiser with a wide beam.

I have been out in the Atlantic during small craft advisories and I can tell you that my Baja 36 outlaw rode better and the passengers were much drier than our friends in Fountains. I have also witnessed first hand a 38 Fountain have issues that we are made to believe only happen to Baja’s. It was 2001 and we were in Key West on the big year end FPC poker run. A hurricane was coming to town and we were told to leave. The trip outside in the ocean was brutal. I was actually riding back in a truck, but I’m still very good friends with the guy that owned the Fountain and his only passenger who at the time also owned a Fountain. The wiring harness broke loose in the engine compartment, the stereo fell out in the cuddy and there was major stress crack that developed on the top deck. There was also a Hustler on the run that had a BIG crack appear on the top deck port side in front of and cockpit. IT WAS ROUGH and all the performance boats took a hell of a beating getting back to safe water.

I have driven and ridden in a 29, 32, several 35’s, a 38 and two 42 Fountains. The 38 and 42 are both very capable boats but the ride does not compare to my Baja and they are a much wetter ride in heavy seas.

Don’t believe me just ask Russ Floyd here on the board in Savannah. We got caught out in 4 to 5 footers and we took water over the bow of a Fountain to the point we were all soaked and I had so much salt in my eyes I could not see.

You know the water conditions better than any of us that you will be boating in and just need to remember that a performance boat is built more for going fast and three to five footers is way too rough to go fast and e safe.

Good luck shopping and I hope you find the right boat for your needs.

I've ran a 33 Outlaw at Lake of the Ozarks for three years now and it's hard to beat the ride. This water is more like a washing machine than 3 - 5 foot seas and it handles this lake well. I'd be willing to give you a ride if you want to come down and try for yourself.