New here and really new to boats. All I do know is I want one! We race cars and have for years. A company recruited us close to the Columbia river and a boat would be nice. I read the Baja Hammer is the corvette of boats…I found one with about 260 hrs on it - as the title states a 1997. The dealer claims- Engine, outdrive, trailer, trim tabs have been serviced and RPM Approved. They are asking $15k. Does this sound reasonable (using the little info I have!)?

It's a good price for these days, especially. Frankly, it is nearly impossible to find ANY used boat, and Bajas are hard to find to begin with (the TRUE boats built in Bucyrus, Ohio) anyway. Should have a 454 or 454 Magnum in it. 260 hours is crazy low but not unheard of. I just sold my '92 208 that only had 390 hours on it. The Hammer is a nice boat for inland lakes, typically a bit faster than a lot of other similar sized boats. Like any used boat, it can be a crapshoot as to getting a good one, or one that needs some TLC, or one that needs to be retired.

Hire a marine surveyor to inspect the hull with a moisture meter, sounding and maybe even coring then trial run the boat and all systems.

Baja's are known for rot and I'm speaking from experience with a transom and one stringer being replaced in my 1996 302 with 420 hrs. now. None of the penetrations through the transom were resined from the factory so WHEN seals go bad water soaks the wood core and it rots. Additionally, a wood stringer was rotted due to the hole for the bilge pump not being resined, factory just left bare wood exposed. Luckily it's just an engine mount stringer so only 4' long but an additional $1,500 in work but it is a common failure point based on seeing others with the same issue.

Thank you for the replies! The Baja is at a performance boat shop with a good reputation if that makes a difference. We would be river running and taking it to the reservoir therefore no big water. I like the Baja but found a 2001 Carvelle Interceptor 232 sport cuddy with a 496 mag in it. I know this is a Baja thread and I like the hammer very much. There are threads about the gel coat having cracks on Carvelles and build quality not being as good. Have you guys heard anything about these? No wood construction is attractive!