New guy needs help choosing boats....

[collins55]

:beathead

Hi there,


I am a new guy, trying to decide on what my fisrt boat should be. I am not new to boating, but am new to Baja's. However, I know that a Baja is what i want. I really like the 25 Outlaw. Should I go new or used? I know new they are quiet a bit of $$$ and thats ok, but seems like a 2000, or so is quite a bit cheaper. So, I dont know wether to get a used and then upgrade in a few years or get a new one and keep it for a while (financing a while). I would like to use the boat for some overnighting possibly, and maybe some skiing, but mostly just goin fast!!! You guys are the experts...please help. If there are any other boats you would recomend, please feel free!

thanks,

doug
:dancingjalepeno

[missouri]

Welcome.....
Since you asked about BigE's condo I assume your at LOTO....real rough lake and the bigger the better....where you from?

25 OL is a hell of a boat as is the H2X, 272, 252....I prefer used, I figure 100 hrs. is 4 days, which ='s thousands per day pre-owned and you can tell if the owner maintained it properly...
I wouldn't go smaller than the 232 used or the 245 new for LOTO...if you ain't in a 36 f'tr you won't be going to fast on weekends anyway.......try to get as big as you can afford....great lake, lot's of fun and a lot of ppl. here boat there.

[bajacraig]

if you ain't in a 36 f'tr you won't be going to fast on weekends anyway

You can do it in a 33 if your wife is on the dock :biggrin

Same thing I/We tell everone, "Go as big as you can"

Good luck and nice to have you.

[Seize n Ticket]

I think Blake's 25 is still up for sale. There are a lot of 25 Outlaws at the lake and yes, it is rough on the weekends, but a little common sense and you'll be just fine, if that is what you decide to purchase. We started with a 22.5 foot boat then went to a 25 foot boat and now our current boat. While I agree the bigger the better, unfortunately we can't all afford the 40 Outlaw. I see boats of all sizes down at the lake and depending on where you boat a smaller boat may be just what you need. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[TeamBajaMarine]

Yep,
My 25OL is still up for sale and I just took another phone call on it lst night. I am sure I will have no problem selling it once I can get it out of storage on April 1. I would love to see it go to a TBM'er.:headspin

[Seize n Ticket]

Collins55,
There you go. Get on the horn with Blake and see if you guys can work something out. The 25 is a great boat and I think you will be surprised by how well it handles.

[GottaHaveIt]

I've owned my 25 since November 1999 and I'm very happy with it. The hull is designed to handle rough water and there is a lot of freeboard so you stay dry in rough water. The extra weight and 24 degree V hull make it possible to go out on windy days or busy weekends with a lot of boat-wake chop.
There is a lot of storage, and the cuddy is big enough to sleep in, change clothes in, or use a porta-potty. There is a privacy door that can be closed and locked for extra security of your belongings while you're away from the boat too.
Put in a coulpe of 12v WalMart fans in the cuddy and you can sleep down there in relative comfort.
The gas tank is 100 gallons which gives you a LOT of range if you keep the speeds down in the cruising zone. ;)
And at the top end, depending on the engine HP, they will run 63-68 MPH.
Very easily to trailer too. The boat weighs about 4,750 Lbs with gear and gas. With the trailer, you'll be towing no more than 6,000-6,500 lbs. which most full-size 1/2 ton pickups can tow.
I've given rides in my 25 to owner's of H2X and Hammers and they cannot believe the difference in ride. :D

[thosetwins]

My advice with buying a 25ol wether new or used is get the most power you can. Go with NO LESS then a 496HO or 502MAG depending on what year you buy or you end up wanting more! And these motors are good candidates for modification. Also your resale value with these motors will make them MUCH easier to sell when it comes time to move up. These are the facts.:biggrin :biggrin

[TeamBajaMarine]

Twins,
Point is noted and you are correct, but sometimes the budget doesnt allow for the biggest motors with the most power, as in my case when I bought my 25OL. The deal was right and I knew I was a bit underpowered, but it is all the money I had at the time and that being said I am not anywhere near upside down in my loan, nor did I have to sacrifice other things in life, just for bigger power and I wont have a problem selling because someone might just be in the same situation as I once was. You dont have to be the fastest boat out there to enjoy a good dy of boating, so your "these are the facts" comment is not always the case.

[gdsmith56]

I agree with TBM. When we bought our 242 Islander, we realized that the 6.2L was the smallest, 'entry level' motor for this boat. However, it was in our price range, the deal was pretty d*mned sweet, and during the test drive there was PLENTY of power to satisfy our need-for-speed. We only put about 30 hours on it last summer but they were very fun-filled hours and we never once longed for the big-block 496.

It all depends on what your needs are. We're the SMITH's :tiphat and we don't have to keep up with the Jones' ;)

[thosetwins]

Blake point taken and understand that scenario you have explained, but from a pure resale standpoint and satisfaction standpoint you are better off with the small amout it will cost especially on a used boat to have the bigger motor. You will end up in most cases getting that back or losing depending on which way you go when it comes to selling. This is IN MOST cases the best advice. BTW does not matter what boat or motor you buy you will be upside down dependent on what you pay, put down $ and term of financing determines if your upside down or not. My post was in the best interest of the person seeking info. This is fact.:biggrin

[TeamBajaMarine]

As everyone knows I am buying a 30OL and in this case I am only going with 496 Mags, not HO's. The extra 20K for another 100HP just doesnt make sense. So, is this a mistake and will I get killed in resale? I think not.

[bajaneil]

$ 20,000.00 more for HO's over Mags???


A friend of mine bought a new 2002 25 outlaw with a 496Mag and no sst package. A year later I bought a new 2003 25 outlaw with an HO and sst package for $3000.00 more than he paid. Both included trailer. His did not have trim tabs. Mine did. Both purchased from the same dealer.

Neil

[thosetwins]

I just bought a 2004 29SSE with 496 mags no you won't have a problem with either boat 29 or 30 on resale Paid 87k might i add. Your off the point here, we are talking about a 25 OUTLAW arent we? SEEMS like you are taking this personal because you are trying to sell a 25ol with base 454 which is a FINE setup up for someone. This was only solid advice. But i guess not becuase it is not what you wanted to hear. Blake i wanted to donate but i dont even come up as a registered member and dont want to be annonymous,and you seem kind of testy about this subject, I like the site and feel i have something to bring to the board. Hope your not offended, Iam not. Cya

[BDannecker]

Blake,
You can put Whipples on for half that and gain twice what the HO would increase over a mag. AND do it when it's affordable to you... :biggrin

[haulinvols]

Ok i'll throw in on this, get what makes you happy and what fits your budget. Its your first boat if I read your post correctly so make sure you spend alot of time driving different models. There seem to be enough used Bajas out there so you should have a good amount to choose from. It all boils down to how fast you really want to go. I hit mid 60s in mine and, on the lake with traffic that might be once a weekend. I would rather cruise around 55 and enjoy the ride. Like I said drive a few, and pick the one that fits you, the reason they make so many types and power packages is that boating is not a one size fits all pastime. Good luck.

[WHOSNEXT]

Blake, I was talking to Corey at the Boston Boat Show and he told me that the 30 with 496 mags. will run 78 gps? He said that's what it was running at the Winni Poker run last year? Is this true?

[TeamBajaMarine]

Twins,
I think you might be the one getting offended as I just offered my opinion on your quote "these are the facts" I threw in my 25OL situation, just to show that a good, well taken care of boat with small powere will still sell and not get killed in resale. I also threw in my 30OL as an example as, once again, I dont dont need huge power. The point I am trying to make is you buy what the budget can afford and what satisfys your needs, not what resale will do down the road.

I encourage your opinions on the board and like everyone else, you do have something to offer the board and I wouldnt take any of others opinions personal, everyone will have one and we will agree and disagree on things all day long.

As far as you being anonymous and donating, you are THOSETWINS, so you are not anonymous, if you try to make a donation to the board, you may choose to be anonymous or not.

[thosetwins]

I feel like some of my ADVICE was taken out of context I never said anyone would get KILLED on resale, that boating is a ONE SIZE fits all deal , or that it is a terrible idea to go with a less powered boat, or COMPARING a 30ol to 25ol, you guys did that. I gave GOOD advice on this subject and it was only ADVICE disseminate it as you wish. I feel the advice given was in the best intrest of the party interested. :biggrin :biggrin :biggrin

[TeamBajaMarine]

Twins,
Water under the bridge and lets continue seeing your input. Sorry if this got a bit blown out of context or proportion.

[thosetwins]

ALL IS GOOD, Blake I appreciate you, the board and everyone on it. This site is the BEST thing to ever happen for us TRUE BAJA enthusiasts!:biggrin :biggrin

[missouri]

I have been selling a few used single eng's every year and I would guess that 75-80 percent of used buyers that look at mine just know it's a 454 and have no idea there is a difference....you have to go into detail to explain why it's higher....and a lot of ppl. will walk away from a 502 because of fuel economy...I've had 'em walk away because they were too loud.
the ppl. here are not indicative of the average used buyer who seems to more interested in the boat than power like most of us....on boating forums we are much much more concerned with it.....ppl. don't look for it because they don't need to or want to go 65-70...I gave a guy a ride in a 232 w/454 mag and a 454 carbed(300hp)...and he was impressed by the trim in the handle on the mag and that was the only difference to him.
Remember I said I sell a few boats...this is what I've seen on used....

[Seize n Ticket]

Collins55,
Are you getting any closer to what you think you would like to buy or have we just made this a harder decision? I had a 25 foot boat with a 454 carb 300 HP at the lake for 3 1/2 years. We put damn near 400 hours on the boat, so as you can see we enjoyed boating all over the lake. When you hit the big water just take it easy and enjoy being on the water. Like I said earlier it depends on where you boat as to what size you'll need to get by with. When I had our 25 we boated anywhere from the damn to the 66mm and usually stayed at the 8mm or the 13mm, so you know we were in big water often. Good luck and happy hunting.

Matt-you hit it right on! :biggrin

[bottomless pit]

25 Outlaw can be Killer FAST, Just ask the 2 mechanics at Big Thunder Marine who last year tumbled one "End over End!!!"
:x
I still chuckle when it comes to mind!:thatsfunny
PIT...

[bajaneil]

sorry to seem ignorant, but i am curious about twin HOs.

would it really cost 20 grand more for Ho's than it would for regular mags?

Neil

[kidbaja]

Doug,

Since you have been boating before you should have some idea what you want. If you are buying new get the 25 Outlaw with the HO. Like every one says it's an animal. If your buying used buy it from a Baja dealer where Baja is there main line. They are the experts on the boat and can tell you what right and what is wrong with the boat. Make sure they can dyno test the motors and drives. Do not just rely on a water test. You can run the dyno's at full throttle and have them do it. Also have them hook the computer up to tell you actually that the hour are on the motor (just don't rely on the hour meters). Let us know what boat you end up with?? :D

[bajacraig]

Neil
It's the same old story
How hungry is your dealer?
What do they have in stock?
How good are you at negotiating?

When we were lookin, we were told 10m each. But it was an ordered boat and they had me. They always have the upper hand and know if you don't like the power, you will be BACK.

I ran out of money at the HO's but wanted the 500'd BAD.