Newbie Baja questions...
06-08-2017 | 12:53 PM
#1
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Newbie Baja questions...
So I have decided to buy a performance style boat. 20-24' range. I am pretty sure I have settled on an older Baja. I've researched my brains out but I still have questions. I see that offshoreonly seems to have an awesome community so I figured I'd join and ask some questions...
I am looking at older Outlaw 20's, Hammers and H2x's. Hoping to score one that may need a little work for 12-15k, 1997-2002 range. There are a bunch out there. My intentions are to buy something that may need a little work but in the long run would require minimal maintenance since I wont be modifying or modding anything but a captains call type exhaust, and something that wont break down every time I go out. Which seems feasible for the boats I am looking at.
I have read that the mercruisers MPI's and EFI's unmodified are pretty rock solid motors. I have heard they should get anywhere up to 1500 or so hours if they were maintained correctly. More maintenance over 1000 hours. Same thing with the Bravo One Outdrives., even the alpha's for the smaller motors, they are rock solid if maintained correctly and can pretty much last 3x as long as the motor. However, I am seeing boats with supposedly 300 hours getting new motors and out drives and much more work done to them for the ages and hours. Are they just not maintaining them right or is it that this combo is not as rock solid as my research is to be believed?
Seems the interiors get replaced on them which is no big deal. I have seen some with wraps for graphics on the exterior too, not sure if thats a gel coat issue or just removing the 80's syle graphics on some of these.. lol. Do the stringers on these often rot and need work? Do trim tabs make a huge difference? Any gotcha's on these boats Outlaw, Hammer, H2x that are known issues or things to look out for? I am thinking of getting a marine survey on anything I am serious of purchasing, but I'd like to be knowledgable enough to narrow the search in finding a well maintained one.
Thanks in advance for the help...
-Jeff
I am looking at older Outlaw 20's, Hammers and H2x's. Hoping to score one that may need a little work for 12-15k, 1997-2002 range. There are a bunch out there. My intentions are to buy something that may need a little work but in the long run would require minimal maintenance since I wont be modifying or modding anything but a captains call type exhaust, and something that wont break down every time I go out. Which seems feasible for the boats I am looking at.
I have read that the mercruisers MPI's and EFI's unmodified are pretty rock solid motors. I have heard they should get anywhere up to 1500 or so hours if they were maintained correctly. More maintenance over 1000 hours. Same thing with the Bravo One Outdrives., even the alpha's for the smaller motors, they are rock solid if maintained correctly and can pretty much last 3x as long as the motor. However, I am seeing boats with supposedly 300 hours getting new motors and out drives and much more work done to them for the ages and hours. Are they just not maintaining them right or is it that this combo is not as rock solid as my research is to be believed?
Seems the interiors get replaced on them which is no big deal. I have seen some with wraps for graphics on the exterior too, not sure if thats a gel coat issue or just removing the 80's syle graphics on some of these.. lol. Do the stringers on these often rot and need work? Do trim tabs make a huge difference? Any gotcha's on these boats Outlaw, Hammer, H2x that are known issues or things to look out for? I am thinking of getting a marine survey on anything I am serious of purchasing, but I'd like to be knowledgable enough to narrow the search in finding a well maintained one.
Thanks in advance for the help...
-Jeff
06-09-2017 | 06:37 PM
#2
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 430
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From: Shelby Township, MI
As pretty basic answer: The Motor/Drive thing you are asking about is mostly relative to maintaining the mechanical things properly. Some motors have higher maintenance requirements than others, mostly in the high HP realm, are you aren't really looking there. Some of it is driver as well, its hard on drives to catch air and not throttle properly. A good thing to consider is the overall shape of the boat and the seller.
If it's your first boat a survey would b e a good learning experience. Yes when the transom gets wet the moisture often seeps into the stringers. A lot of these boats are trailered and might not be too wet. The exterior colors on a Baja are in the gelcoat, so you would have to repaint or cover them with a wrap if you want a different style.
I'd recommend you also consider a 232. Should be able to find one within your price range, sits in between the Hammer and H2X for length, but the 232 has deeper dead rise thus a better ride. But the deeper dead rise will sacrifice speed. Where/how do you plan to boat?
If it's your first boat a survey would b e a good learning experience. Yes when the transom gets wet the moisture often seeps into the stringers. A lot of these boats are trailered and might not be too wet. The exterior colors on a Baja are in the gelcoat, so you would have to repaint or cover them with a wrap if you want a different style.
I'd recommend you also consider a 232. Should be able to find one within your price range, sits in between the Hammer and H2X for length, but the 232 has deeper dead rise thus a better ride. But the deeper dead rise will sacrifice speed. Where/how do you plan to boat?
06-10-2017 | 07:50 AM
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As pretty basic answer: The Motor/Drive thing you are asking about is mostly relative to maintaining the mechanical things properly. Some motors have higher maintenance requirements than others, mostly in the high HP realm, are you aren't really looking there. Some of it is driver as well, its hard on drives to catch air and not throttle properly. A good thing to consider is the overall shape of the boat and the seller.
If it's your first boat a survey would b e a good learning experience. Yes when the transom gets wet the moisture often seeps into the stringers. A lot of these boats are trailered and might not be too wet. The exterior colors on a Baja are in the gelcoat, so you would have to repaint or cover them with a wrap if you want a different style.
I'd recommend you also consider a 232. Should be able to find one within your price range, sits in between the Hammer and H2X for length, but the 232 has deeper dead rise thus a better ride. But the deeper dead rise will sacrifice speed. Where/how do you plan to boat?
If it's your first boat a survey would b e a good learning experience. Yes when the transom gets wet the moisture often seeps into the stringers. A lot of these boats are trailered and might not be too wet. The exterior colors on a Baja are in the gelcoat, so you would have to repaint or cover them with a wrap if you want a different style.
I'd recommend you also consider a 232. Should be able to find one within your price range, sits in between the Hammer and H2X for length, but the 232 has deeper dead rise thus a better ride. But the deeper dead rise will sacrifice speed. Where/how do you plan to boat?
06-10-2017 | 10:45 PM
#5
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 430
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From: Shelby Township, MI
If you don't plan on spending the night, or need to get the kiddies out of the sun, consider a 232 Islander. Based on the lakes the H2X or Hammer might be decent choices, but you give up the drop out bolsters. Just food for thought. When I bought three (maybe 4??) years ago the drop outs drove me to the 232.
06-10-2017 | 11:22 PM
#6
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From: SF Bay Area
True, the cuddy on anything under 30' can be tight, hot, and stuffy. Others experience may vary. The islanders give you twice the boat for a family and with a Bimini top you can escape the direct sun.
The Merc/Bravo combo will be found on many makes and models, but on that size boat is a proven strong package.
The Merc/Bravo combo will be found on many makes and models, but on that size boat is a proven strong package.
06-12-2017 | 12:19 AM
#8
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From: Channel Islands, So. Cal.
Go as big as you can tow, store and most importantly afford. Check out the 24 Baja Outlaws too. 95 and up and I'm betting you could find one close to your price range. The 24 Outlaw feels WAY bigger than it actually is with a 24 degree deadrise, high freeboard, nice little cuddy and decent cockpit room you can actually walk about a little. They eat up rough water. Amazing boat for the size and price. Most will come with a 454 most like or maybe a 502 and yea, the hours really depend on how well it was cared for but 1000 hours isn't unheard of from a black merc motor.
Agree on survey. Have it checked for moisture in the hull and have the motor leaked down. At least you'll have a better idea of what you'll be getting yourself into.
Agree on survey. Have it checked for moisture in the hull and have the motor leaked down. At least you'll have a better idea of what you'll be getting yourself into.
