I'm looking for your wisdom....

[kozman01]

Looking at two boats. a 1987 18' Baja bowrider, 140 Merc, engine seems to be in great condition, interior is fair/good. No rot apparent. $3000<br /><br />1976 Silverline. 80hp Merc outboard completely rebuilt, interior completely redone and hill painted. $3000.<br /><br />Which one should I gravitate to. I like both of them but the Silverline looks so **** nice. The guy did a great job. The baja has more power. I don't know who has better quality. Just looking for some input, thanks for any help

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: I'm looking for your wisdom....

I assume the Silverline is a closed deck? You really have to ask yourself what kind of use will your boat see. The Baja sounds like it will hold more passengers being a bow rider and it has more power for pulling skiers/tubers/wakeboards. They both sound like good boats but will they both meet your boating requirements? The Merc outboard should be less maint for you especially at winterization time, whatever you decide...best of luck!

 

[magster65]

Re: I'm looking for your wisdom....

I'd go for the Baja and do some work to the interior to clean it up. You'd be out in the Silverline with your pal and the Baja will go flying by you with 6 people in it. Seriously, I think the Baja might be the better quality boat of those two... but it's your choice bubba

 

[JasonJ]

Re: I'm looking for your wisdom....

Don't discount the Silverline, they were built like tanks. They also tend to hold more weight than other boats of comparable size, and have higher horsepower ratings. Just because the Baja has the Baja name doesn't make it the better boat, you have to look at the actual boats, and decide which one will work for what you want it to. Also, there is something to be said for just being able to buy a boat and use it, instead of spending half you life fixing all the things you didn't notice because it had a certain name on the side. Good luck...

 

[kozman01]

Re: I'm looking for your wisdom....

I went and looked at both boats. The Baja needs mucho work to the interior and not I'm really satisfied that the guy and his story really check out. On the other hand the Silverline was a beautiful boat. The guy restored everything and new everything about his motor and boat. I could tell he cared about his machinery and it showed in the other vehicles he owned that were around the boat. I pick the Silverline up next week for 3K. I coun't be happier!!! I'm sure after I get it I'll be on here constantly asking questions. Thanks for your opinions.

 

[kozman01]

Re: I'm looking for your wisdom....

By the way, the Baja does hold a few more people, but this boat is just for me and my 6 year old and a maybe a friend or two. The Silverline seats six and it's a closed bow, but it has a very short closed bow, if that makes sense. The boat appears to be built like a tank as another writer had posted. It just had that "rock solid" feel. I'm sure some of you guys know what I mean.

 

[BrianFD]

Re: I'm looking for your wisdom....

kozman01,<br />I hope you've taken it for a water test before purchasing! There's absolutely no reason not to. You wouldn't buy a car without driving it, would you?<br />Just my $0.02....<br />Happy Boating!<br />Brian

 

[Solittle]

Re: I'm looking for your wisdom....

I hope you got a thorough water test and had a mechanic check the motor. If not I urge you to do so before you take delivery. There are many who post here with tales of woe about boats that looked great only to find major problems soon after they have turned their wallet upside down.

 

[kozman01]

Re: I'm looking for your wisdom....

We met at the lake and took it for a ride and everything work as described. There are of course some issues with the boat, but he pointed them out immediately upon my arrival. What 76' boat wouldn't have issues. The only problem I could find was that the windshield motor gears sounded like they were stripped. I'm pretty mechanically inclined and went over the motor with him. I used to repair all kinds of engines in the Army. I was satisfied with the purchase. Thanks for the heads up everyone. Nothing like educated consumers.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: I'm looking for your wisdom....

sounds like you made the wise choice ... besides, 80 horses pushin a light load aught to FLY, lol, like Jack Nicholson said in Chinatown, how good can ya eat?