"2 footedness" is kicking in.....Going from practical boat to a less practical one...

[gtochris]

"2 footedness" is kicking in.....Going from practical boat to a less practical one...

I've grown up with a bunch of boats, 19ft Regal cuddy, Sea Ray F-16 Jet boat, Sea Doo wave runners, various aluminum boats and outboards and pontoons.

We've had the Stingray for 3 years, I liked the lightweight/ efficiency, but it is VERY rough riding which has been a turn off, It's been great for wakeboarding/ skiing. We dont like the seating layout and would have prefered the "sport seating" with the 2 buckets/ bench. Essentially, it is the well maintained used car that looks great and performs well and doesnt cost anything to keep. It will be a great boat for the next owner!

I've been looking, my ideal boat is a 21-22ish foot Bowrider with a 5.0MPI or a 350 MAG Alpha 1, I would like something quality with a deeper V hull and have been drawn to the Ebbtide/ Rinkers/ Sea Ray Select of the 02+ vintage as they seem quality and I want newer. I would also entertain another Stingray as I think the newer ones are better built and the 220/ 230SX is a sharp boat and a good performance value and I could live with a small cuddy.

My partner has other ideals, we are in our later 20's and although our car choices have generally been muscle cars: 2 Mustang GT's, the GTO, and a Camaro, I know those cars have limitations and largely impractical.
I recently rode in a Baja 20ft Outlaw that may be available for purchase in the spring, no windshield, no cuddy (just open space), Mercruiser 5.0 MPI engine I like, cuts through the rough water beautiful, and price is in the ball park.

He is pushing the purchase since it's newer/ we know the owner/ great history/ beautiful eye catching boat, It feels just like our cars and that attracts me to it also. I just realize the limitations and dont want to have regrets. We do rarely go out with more then 4 of us total so that part is OK. I'm also debating if it's capable of pulling for wakeboarding since it is a "go fast" type boat that probably doesnt plane untill higher speed...

OR should I just take a plunge like this since, "only live once, get it out of my system"?

 

[NHGuy]

Re: "2 footedness" is kicking in.....Going from practical boat to a less practical on

Re: "2 footedness" is kicking in.....Going from practical boat to a less practical on

The Baja can tow at low speeds, but if you want to keep the bow out of the air it requires trim tabs. If it already has em all you need to do is drop them to run at below planing speed. If it does not have tabs you could put your riders out front during the low speed pulling. I towed an air chair last August at about 18 MPH which is just below my planing speed. So I put a grown up in the bow seat.
My boat has no tabs but I want them.
What I like about my Baja is I can run it through any chop that my wife can stand to ride in!
She's a bit of a chop & wave wuss, which makes no sense cause she grew up on our lake when boats were flatter bottomed and harsher riding. I guess they went slower.
One of these days I'm going to win the lottery and get a boat which has a lot more weight and deadrise. (vee bottom angle)
ps. My brother has an 04 GTO, and a 69.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: "2 footedness" is kicking in.....Going from practical boat to a less practical on

Re: "2 footedness" is kicking in.....Going from practical boat to a less practical on

buy a boat you realy like!

 

[gtochris]

Re: "2 footedness" is kicking in.....Going from practical boat to a less practical on

Re: "2 footedness" is kicking in.....Going from practical boat to a less practical on

The Baja can tow at low speeds, but if you want to keep the bow out of the air it requires trim tabs. If it already has em all you need to do is drop them to run at below planing speed. If it does not have tabs you could put your riders out front during the low speed pulling. I towed an air chair last August at about 18 MPH which is just below my planing speed. So I put a grown up in the bow seat.
My boat has no tabs but I want them.
What I like about my Baja is I can run it through any chop that my wife can stand to ride in!
She's a bit of a chop & wave wuss, which makes no sense cause she grew up on our lake when boats were flatter bottomed and harsher riding. I guess they went slower.
One of these days I'm going to win the lottery and get a boat which has a lot more weight and deadrise. (vee bottom angle)
ps. My brother has an 04 GTO, and a 69.

This model is a closed bow but un-finished, just fiberglassed inside, a person could go their but it would be tough. Boat doesnt have tabs but is an Alpha1, I was thinking, maybe if it were a problem I could get one of those "fat-sacks" and add 200lbs or so to the bow when I am going wake-boarding?

In any event- That boat was winterized for the season, I'm going to see if I can swing it in the spring. I took lots of picture of my own recently but will not list it until the spring incase I cant come up with the difference.