1990 Baja 190es with a V8.. Interiors small.. Why?

[dlayman]

Hi again.. Found the above noted boat for sale for $7500.. Yeah, it books for a tad under $3k, but I see people buying them all the time for way over book. Any reason for that? I mean, yeah its a Baja, but from what i've been reading baja's have less than a "stellar" history.

Anyway, this one has a "fresh" 350 and all looks nice from the pic's. I would think a Baja with a cuddy (being heavy?) would need more than a stock 350 to produce any kind of performance, no?
Are the hull and boat design the key to the baja's performance? Or, is the performance of most Baja's in this class somewhat more of a myth?

Also, the interior layout on these boats sure seems cramped. They look sweet, but man, there's not much room in them. My brother in law that has the Supra I was talking about earlier also has a 24' Baja SST with a supercharged 502(?). That thing flies and looks awesome but its such a huge boat and has less room than some 17-18' ski boats.. I'm sure there has to be a reason from a design and functionality stand point but i'm just not to sure what that would be.. Your help and input on this boat and the above questions will be much appreciated...
Thanks

 

[25thmustang]

Re: 1990 Baja 190es with a V8.. Interiors small.. Why?

I can't comment on the boat above, but offshore, or performance type boats usually have smaller cockpit areas. They are designed to be narrow, with big motors out back and small cuddys. Even the larger versions only truly have seating for 5-6 and everyone is stuck in their own chair, not a large open area to move around in.

If it's a less than stellar company, books for $3000 and their asking $7500. I think I know your answer on whether it's worth looking into purchase.

 

[Philster]

Re: 1990 Baja 190es with a V8.. Interiors small.. Why?

Well... they are I/O's with big engines relative to the overall boat size.

A Baja layout isn't much different than mine. See Donzi, Checkmate and smaller Fountains such as the 27' Fever, too.

The nose starts to taper early (sporty/speedy), so the cockpit can only be so far forward and so big. Big engine compartment means it can only go so far to the stern. You get seating for four, more or less.

It's about speed. Why does a Corvette, packing a big motor and killer specs have two seats! WHY not seating for 3, 4, 5 or 6? Then it's an SUV. It boating terms, if you stretch here and there on dimensions, it's a cruiser (slower).

You get a closed bow, generally, because lots of speed and big V hulls mean offshore running or rougher seas... and presto... ya got big water over the bow. Better than in the bow is the thought here. Don't expect the front to sit high and give you a big cabin. The cabin just happens to exist because the bow is closed.

The simplest answer is just to think in car terms. Corvette, Mustang (barely a 2+2), and so many performance cars don't deliver big interiors. Bigger interior equals bigger overall mass = not a sports car anymore.

All the boat makers I mentioned, plus Baja, have played with all sorts of hull sizes and engine sizes, even V6's. Smaller hulls can still pull up to 60 MPH with a 350. Think in terms of sports cars and high perf cars and it'll start to make sense.

.

 

[dlayman]

Re: 1990 Baja 190es with a V8.. Interiors small.. Why?

Thanks, I see what your saying. The look is nothing short of awesome but I guess I just expected more motor for a boat like the one I saw.
But then I suppose the boat wouldnt be safe and/or stable and the price would be much higher as well...
So does the cuddy area make it heavier than an open bow or a reg closed bow? I would think so but maybe their not?

 

[Tommy Monsoon]

Re: 1990 Baja 190es with a V8.. Interiors small.. Why?

Thanks, I see what your saying. The look is nothing short of awesome but I guess I just expected more motor for a boat like the one I saw.
But then I suppose the boat wouldnt be safe and/or stable and the price would be much higher as well...
So does the cuddy area make it heavier than an open bow or a reg closed bow? I would think so but maybe their not?

Get yourself at least a 25' cruiser.........lacks speed ( Motorcycle guy talking here) but its the best compromise for the ladies!

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: 1990 Baja 190es with a V8.. Interiors small.. Why?

High Performance boats are made to haul skinny young ladies in bikinis siting on your lap!

 

[NHGuy]

Re: 1990 Baja 190es with a V8.. Interiors small.. Why?

I get your drift about over book, my boat was bare with just trailer and a banged up prop last year for $5K. Mine looks good but it's interior is OE, still shines well, and has very few marks. The guy I got it from claims "it had a covered lift" on it's previous lake. It's possible it did, because the seats and gel look about ten years newer than it's calendar age. Maybe they built it using better materials or maybe the boat had a good life. Or some combination of those things.
I saw the same model for sale in California in alleged perfect condition with a better trailer for $11,500 on craigslist. I don't know if he got the money but it made me feel better.
Mine is a bowrider, it will do into the 50's with a 19" pitch prop, and goes right on up to max recommended RPM. Now that I have done some tune up work I am considering a taller prop, only thing is, the lake where I go has a speed limit of 45 MPH which my boat does with a full load already. The main reason for me to get a taller prop is to avoid over spinning the engine if and when I decide to risk a ticket.
I think my standing area behind the windscreen is pretty cramped, for reasons noted before, large engine bay, and control position somewhat astern compared to your classic runabout. But what's good about that is I can go out in the chop and not get the beating I used to get in my 1800 lb outboard. This boat weighs somewhere between 2400 & 2700 lbs and has a 21 degree deadrise at the stern. I can stretch out my legs when I sit down at the helm and I have a boat brand I can have a little pride in. Sure it's over 20 years old, but the only boats at my dock that are cooler either have great graphics and recent design (1), or there's the guy with the perfect Century Resorter. He gets my ultimate envy, but I am positive I can dust him out on the broads where he will just have to back it off or get a back spasm.
Oh, the main thing you can do in that ES is roll along at a pretty good clip. It will do skiing and towtoys with aplomb too. It won't handle chop like a 27 footer, but I can't think of a 19 that would feel much better unless you got one of those really pointy deep vee boats. The problem with the deep vee high sided boats is they weigh more and end up slower, they also put out a bigger wake which some water skiers dislike. Wakeboarders like it though.
My 19'6" is plenty fast, yours should be more so. In perfect tune and properly set up you have a fighting chance at 60 MPH in that boat.
Whatever you do don't act impressed when you water test it, don't show your cards. It ain't worth his asking price, unless it's pristine - but it might be worth a negotiated value. Check everything you can. Watch the seller handle the boat and try to see if he's hiding any defects or behavior flaws.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: 1990 Baja 190es with a V8.. Interiors small.. Why?

I don't think a cuddy area weighs much, some cushions, a radio, cooler, hatch & foredeck. 19 footer is not likely to have a head, does this one have a potti?
If the hull is like mine & I think it is, the weight would be good to keep the bow down before you plane. Mine really points skyward if the kids & wife are in back. (I know, astern)

 

[dlayman]

Re: 1990 Baja 190es with a V8.. Interiors small.. Why?

Hey thanks man.. Excellent input..
I really appreciate it..

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: 1990 Baja 190es with a V8.. Interiors small.. Why?

nice read for baja owners

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/baja/142363-baja-history-thread.html

 

[NHGuy]

Re: 1990 Baja 190es with a V8.. Interiors small.. Why?

yuh, but I'm kinda little compared to later Baja's

 

[642mx]

Re: 1990 Baja 190es with a V8.. Interiors small.. Why?

I had a Baja Islander 180 with a 4.3L, it would run mid 50's. A 190es should run well with a 350.

And understand one fact with book values.... You can't buy from a book or sell to a book. Actual value is set by supply and demand. Look at what other (similiar) boats are going for before you make up your mind if something is priced too high.

 

[Lrider]

Re: 1990 Baja 190es with a V8.. Interiors small.. Why?

On the Baja, If, the interior was larger it would be the exterior. I am afraid that it may leak

 

[dlayman]

Re: 1990 Baja 190es with a V8.. Interiors small.. Why?

lol... Good one..

Thanks for all the input.