opinions on 20 outlaw

[collins55]

hi everyone,

still trying to decide what to get. what is everyones opionion on the 20 outlaw. my main concern is the ride is rough/choppy water. I will mostly be on a smaller lake but would like the ability to go to a bigger lake such as Cumberland, Dale Hollow, or LOTO...would the 20 outlaw be ok? Or would it be so rough I would hate it. Any help is greatly appreciated! thanks a bunuch!

doug:dancingjalepeno

[haulinvols]

Collins, where are you located? As far as the 20, we love ours. Our Rivers are not quite as rough as Loto, but it can still get nasty on weekends, and ours is still a comfortable ride. If I remember this will be your first boat. That said I think you would enjoy the 20. If you were spending the majority of time on rougher water, I would say go bigger, and I think everyone would agree. However, if you are going to spend more time on a smaller lake and plan to do water sports, the 20 would be a great choice. Feel free to email me with any questions you may have about the 20. Before 7:00est use Jmmckenz@travelers.com and after 7:00 pm use Haulinvols@aol.com

[Pointerman1967]

I'll let you know after Sunday. Taking my 20 OL out for the first time. This is an upgrade from my SleekCraft SST so the ride should be night and day for me.

[bajacraig]

The lake is like 90 miles long, I would say that in the first 30 miles I don't see any boats under 25' after 12:00 noon.

Some coves and 1/2 the lake would be ok but not Party Cove and that end.

[bottomless pit]

Last year a lady drowned in the capsize of a 32 foot boat leaving Party cove. I left at about the same time and it was very rough.
pit.>:

[TeamBajaMarine]

In any 20 footer, I hope you have a good chiropractor, kidneys and health insurance.

[haulinvols]

Now Blake, you forgot about a good sense of humor. Just kidding. What it all boils down to is what type of boat will fit your needs. I like to go fast as much as the next guy, but at this point in my life a 20 foot boat works. Hey at least its a Baja. I have had a 28 footer and a 35 footer but that was before I was married (ah the single life) now I got to buy the wife a new car, buy the new house, start saving money for kids later (ouch) and so on and so on. So right now I am just lucky to still have a boat. The great thing is I have a wife that likes boating and has given me permission (hey marriage is a partnership right?) to buy a larger boat as soon as we finish paying off her truck. Aint life grand. :beathead

[82C3]

I have 1 of the three things you listed Blake, I guess I'm a third okay.:) I boat on small lakes with my 202 Islander and use it up on the big Lake Winni in N.H. and have had no trouble with the rough water in the broads. I could not go 40mph through the big chop but I did not get beat up either. My family and I love it and if I got anything bigger it would be to big for the lakes right near my house. I talked to the Baja rep at the Boston Boat Show and he drove one all last summer and loved it to. They are a great 20 footer in my humble opinion.
Tom Bolduc
03 202 Islander
I won't divulge which one of the three I have Blake, you'll have to just use your imagination.

[TeamBajaMarine]

I should have put a smiley face after my post, I hope you reliaze I was being sarcastic;) Any boat is a good boat and like I have said before "you are one step of anyone else who soesnt own a boat" Just be careful in big water.

[82C3]

When I go to the big water I'll be looking for you this summer @ lake Winni, that is if Hp5oo and firehill have not taken me on the fishing trip they promised me. They said something like they bought some shoes for me?:eek
Tom Bolduc
03 202 Islander

[missouri]

The lake is like 90 miles long, I would say that in the first 30 miles I don't see any boats under 25' after 12:00 noon.I see a lot of 'em after noon, just not on plane...:biggrin

I'd say to small for LOTO but there's a guy with one down by me who flies (literaly) around in a 20 OL...he doesn't spend a lot of time in the water, usually airborne but does he ever have fun!

[Reload]

Small lake a 20ft is fine, larger lakes and rivers like up here in MN, you would not be able to keep it on plane. Trust me I have had em. You would need a good Dentist to keep the fillings in your teeth.:rollin Step up in size a little if it's possible for you.

02 25 OL

[Seize n Ticket]

If you go the LOTO you need to saty around the 31mm and up or you will get the heck beat out of you...unless it's during the week. The 25 would be the next logical choice. It is to trailer and will run in some of the bigger water as welll as eat the 1-2 foot chop. Not sure what the difference is price wise, which is what it would come down to for us...hence the 29 Outlaw instead of the .38 Special.

[22 twilight cruiser]

just my 2 cents......Ive spent most of my life on Lake Erie, and ran in some....lets just say less than perfect weather.....it comes down to common sense and how to control the boat when conditions get rough....If your only going to do a lotto trip on occasion....I wouldnt worry about it.....just need to be less aggresive when conditions are less than perfect....get the boat that fits you....I know several boaters that have small bowriders that goto Cumberland all the time.....and a 20 outlaw will handle better than those boats.

Jay

[22 twilight cruiser]

and thats LOTO.......can tell im not from that area....lmao

[haulinvols]

I should have put a smiley face after my post, I hope you realize I was being sarcastic Blake, no problem I understood your tone. I am just curious. We don't know for sure (unless I am missing something) that he lives near Loto. He also talked about Dale Hollow and Cumberland, as well as Loto. I boat on a large river system and do fine with the 20. The 25 at this time was just too much for me until I get things taken care of around the house. We are talking about a $30,000 plus difference between the two. I had to take three basic things into consideration when I purchased mine. Price, what I was using to tow with, and overall cost of ownership. I am sure he is thinking of similar things but without knowing his situation, it is hard for me to really make a suggestion as far as what type of boat will work best. :biggrin

[eddie]

Have you considered used? Price and size was a factor in our purchase as well. We went back two years from our current boat to go bigger. The 25 Outlaw gets around pretty good at LOTO and great at home where we boat on the river.

Now what you don't want to do is get in the back of the BTM poker run - OUCH. 25 didn't like that last year, what else can you do when the 40 - 29's are out front? :samurai

[Pointerman1967]

OK, took my 20 out for the first time this weekend. Here are my initial impressions and let me preface this with saying that my previous boat was a very shallow modified v-hull (Sleekcraft) and I only drove the boat for about two hours this Sunday. Still have a lot of learning to do in this boat.

1. Boat seems extremely hard to steer off plane. Maybe I'll get used to this, but I was constantly working the wheel when going through 5 MPH zones.

2. Boat handled chop created by the "Delta Destroyers" quite well. We only had one bone jarring landing and quite frankly that is because my wife was nervous and I slowed down too much.

3. I had some chine walk around 60 MPH that made me a little nervous about pushing the boat further. I'll continue to experiment to see if I can eliminate this with trim or tab adjustments.

4. Boat seemed to want to porpoise at higher speeds. Once again I am sure this is part of my learning curve, but I'm used to fighting the porpoising at slow speeds. Seemed odd to me.

Over all, the boat handled everything I tossed at it. It is very different from what I am used to, but I know I will adjust. It did very nicely with the larger boat wakes and I can't wait to see how it performs in some of the rougher water in the Delta.

[haulinvols]

Pointer, the wandering at slow speed is unfortunately a nature of the beast kind of thing with the 20. I have driven a couple and they both do it, I have found that the smaller corrections you make the less it wanders. I think when you get the chance to fool around with the trim you will eliminate the porpoising. It took me a couple of outings but I was able to get it under control. I have not had a problem with chine-walk but, I don't have the same drive train as you do. Maybe the extra weight has something to do with it. Keep me posted, I am glad you had fun in it. :biggrin

[kidbaja]

The 20 ' Outlaw can handle anything you can throw at it. I just read an article about a 20' Outlaw. :dancingjalepeno "A 20-foot Baja boat ricocheted off the I-77 causeway in North Carolina recently, which resulted in the boat flipping onto the road and into the path of an oncoming automobile. The vehicle struck the boat while it was still spinning, reports powerboat.com. The impact sent the boat's passengers - all of whom have ties ro NASCAR - to the hospital. Amazingly, no one was seriously injured in the accident." :headspin I don't know about you but if a boat can handle that, I think that boat can handle any lake.

[Pointerman1967]

I don't even get that story. The boat was being towed, but had passengers in it?:huh

[firehill19]

I believe it hit the side of the causway from the water, then ran up on land and ended on the roadway. Lot's of speed!

[BajaChick]

Here's the link to the story from the Charlotte Observer...

www.charlotte.com/mld/cha...225.htm?1c (http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/breaking_news/6584225.htm?1c)

Cheers,
Leslie

[BajaHotShot]

Hey Collins55,
You should buy my Hammer, much faster than the 20 and better looking (I think). Better ride and better value (less depreciation from a new 20), also only 137 hours. Check it out on bajaboatsforsale.com

[haulinvols]

Better value? Not sure about that, its all relative to how much you pay. Much faster? Not with a stock 454, somewhat faster but around here anything much faster than 65 is just not safe, too much junk in the water. Better looking? Total matter of opinion. Not trying to ruffle feathers but, I looked at used Hammers and new 20's. Overall cost of ownership to me was better on the 20, so that is what we bought. I love all the Bajas and to me as long as your in one your ok in my book. Lets face it, a 20 foot boat with 260hp running in low to mid 60's it pretty impressive. Granted it is an entry level model, and is not the most expensive boat (new or used) you could buy, but it fits the bill. I'm not new to boating, nor is it hard for me to pay the bills, but this go around I wanted something easy to tow, good on gas, and new enough to get a decent rate and term. The fact Baja made a model that fit the bill was a bonus. Will I have something bigger in the future, probably, maybe a 25 Outlaw or the 23 Outlaw they have been talking about. But not any larger than that. It's just not worth it to me anymore. Just my .02

[mgar4]

Want to chime in here:

My Hammer is great on gas, plus the hammer has the cuddy as well, its not much but you have that option. Also the swim platform is not an adder! I looked at both, test rode in both, but ended up saving a whole bunch of money on a used Hammer with 111 hours. I'm getting 68 on speedo, have some options I might not have opted for if I went new, but I didnt have much to spend, so keep that in mind. All preference:spineyes

Cheers:biggrin

[haulinvols]

Mike, your right, it is mostly preference. Also, what is available in your area also does make some difference. Not too many Bajas around here so picking is slim for used. When we purchased ours, I had not found this site, so I had no input on dealers or used Bajas in other areas. I love them all but for us the 20 was perfect. I get a little head strong sometimes cause it seems every time the subject of the 20 Outlaw comes up everyone is quick to bash it. It is a great boat and I have no regrets on purchasing it. :biggrin

[BajaHotShot]

Matt,
My only comparison to the 20 OL is the 1995 20' Hotshot that I owned before the Hammer. I know that the two are different, but are still close. In my mind the two (hotshot/hammer) are different enough to justify a Hammer. My comment on value was regarding depreciation/resale. I bet that in a couple of years you would lose more cash on a new 20 than on a used Hammer. My thinking was that the used Hammer has already taken its depreciation hit from its almost 40k retail price tag.....but it is preference in the end.....also getting the right boat for the intended use/water.
Also, not bashing the 20, just trying to sell my Hammer. :D :D

[srpbaer]

OK..HaulinVols.....you will have to agree all Baja are great boats. I think all that is being said here is "bigger is better". We all agree on that but not all of us want "bigger". I have owned both the Islander and now own a H2X so I will admitt both were great boats. I do feel the Hammer is a super "inbetween" boat that will go fast, cost resonable in fuel, and yet it will be smoother. On the resale issue, most will opt for the larger ride. Now one word of advise, don't think the hammer or the H2X won't outrun you because both are much faster. A good running Hammer with the stock 454 will run 68-70 GPS ..The H2X will do that and a bit more if it is the HO 496. On water, that is considerable faster than 60-62 of the Outlaw. GPS will tell the real story here. The main difference will I will not spill my "adult beverage" at at that speed....I only live 130 miles northeast of you so COME GET YOU SOME!!!!!! (jUST KIDDING)... Seriously, we do need to get together this summer and boat on Boone Lake some weekend. Yours is easier to tow than mine!!!
Oh one more think....GO GATORS!!!!! (now I know you hate me). PS...I do really like the 20OL...Just like to pick at you..
Peace brother:smokin :tiphat

Forgot to ask you...did you get your Baja from Shadracks???
Josh is the man as is keith...tell them you know me and they will barr you from their place!!!!!:dancinbanana

[haulinvols]

Jim, it's all good. Never said the 20 would outrun a Hammer, just said that a Hammer with a stock 454 would not exactly tear me a new one. All in all I just got a little irritable at the comment, no big deal. I know that mine is no comparison to a H2X, but that is not why I purchased the 20. All are great boats. I did buy mine from Josh, he is a good guy and treated us well. I will definitely get up your way this summer, and don't get me started on the Gators. I did not mean my comments to upset anyone here as we know its hard to tell how someone feels on a computer, what upset me is we have probably confused this poor guy beyond reason. I just hope he buys a Baja. Nothing more nothing less.

[srpbaer]

I agree with all you said. We all are Baja fans and that is what is important. We all go the boat that fit our needs. I love all Bajas. One thing is for sure, the 20OL is a screamer!!!
Incidently, I am a gator grad so I just had to start chitt.
See you this summer.
JIM:party

[haulinvols]

I won't hold the Gator thing against you, at least you are not a Vanderbuilt grad.:lol :lol

[82C3]

Hey Matt I love my little 202 Islander too. I would have bought the Outlaw but wanted a little more seating room for the family and friends. Where I do most of my boating anything bigger then mine would be to big. It is for those times at Lake Winni that I wish I had a bigger boat but only then. Mine does fine up there, just can't run with the big boys in the chop. That's what friends are for!:biggrin
Tom Bolduc
03 202 Islander

[kent20outlaw]

Pointerman1967,

Your experiences with the 20 are common. I'll try to comment by number.

1) Like Matt said, the nature of the beast with single engine boats. Be sure to make small wheel movements. Over-correcting will start an oscillation.

2) Hitting the wakes at 90 degrees is smooth. Quartering them will jar you.

3) Yep, chine walk is an issue. Another 20 OL owner on my lake has the same problem. But, it must be possible to get used to it because I don't remember worrying about it or remedying it as time went on.

4) As for porpoising, trim the bow up until you start to porp. then trim down slightly.

BTW, that accident involving the 20 OL on Lake Norman happened just shortly after I test drove then purchased mine from the same dealer.

Take care,

[BajaHotShot]

Hey Matt,
Like you said they are all great boats. And all that matters is that they are all Baja's.:tiphat

[Spec Op]

I think everybody here has the right idea, having a good time out on the water is the important thing, after that comes the ribbing about each others boats. I bought a 96 Outlaw 20 end of last summer and I love it. I put it on all of the inland lakes here in michigans upper peninsula, even had it on lake superior once and lake michigan a handful of times. The wife was leary about a boat, but now she loves it as long as its in calm water(she didnt like superior). I want a 25 (maybe in a couple of years) I like it out on lake michigan, and a 25 would be better for that, but I dont regret buying the 20 its a great first boat for me, I cant wait for the ice to melt!