Looking to buy Baja 16ss, any thoughts?

[Lk40hp]

I'm looking at a 1979 Baja 16ss is very good shapeon craigslist. The paint and interior is great, qnd everything is solid, including transom. Its rated for a 120, but has a 1983 merc 150 v6 with a jackplate, does 65 plus. He is asking $1500. Would love the power but worried about the transom. Should I get it? Is the motor too big? Any comments appreciated as I need to make my decision within 3 days otherwise I won't have the time to make the trip to get it.

 

[Lk40hp]

Re: Looking to buy Baja 16ss, any thoughts?


Here should be a pic of it, before it had the 150 put on it... was able to find the identicle boat with same reg number off bing.

 

[matt167]

Re: Looking to buy Baja 16ss, any thoughts?

That type of boat when new were designed to take more power than they were rated but now over 30 years later, I would take a second look at the transom and rest of the structure. Good shape, I'd have no problem but if it has been patched, no way.., Guys over at Scream and Fly will know more about the handling. I know they will run over 70 MPH with the right power but are pretty squirlly.

 

[Lk40hp]

looking at an Over rated baja 16ss... can it handle the motor?

looking at an Over rated baja 16ss... can it handle the motor?

I just made a new thread asking is the boat was a good deal, but also have another important question... can the transom handle the large motor? The boat is a 1979 baja 16ss. The guy wants 1500. Please leave any input you have as i need to make up my mind within the next few days or i wont be able to make the trip.. Everything is solid and working.
It is rated for a 120, but has a 1983 merc 150hp v6 on like a 2"-4" jackplate. Will it be ok? Any thoughts?

P.s. here is a pic of the boat that I found off bing, before the 150 was put on. has same reg # and looks the same so it is the boat, not a look alike.

 

[roscoe]

Re: looking at an Over rated baja 16ss... can it handle the motor?

Re: looking at an Over rated baja 16ss... can it handle the motor?

Well, since the boat has WI registration on it, I'll chime in.

The boat may be able to handle the extra weight and hp, but no one sitting at their computer can tell you, certainly not me.

But, the larger issue, is that it is actually illegal for the seller to sell it in WI.

And if you are in WI, it will be illegal for you to operate it.

Contacted the DNR earlier this year, and they sent this:


Wis. Stats. database, updated to March 28, 2013.

CHAPTER 30
NAVIGABLE WATERS, HARBORS AND NAVIGATION
30.62 - 2M

(2m) OVERPOWERING. No person may sell, equip or operate,
and no owner of a boat may allow a person to operate, a boat with
any motor or other propulsion machinery beyond its safe power
capacity rating.


There may be other liability or insurance issues as well, depends who you talk to.

 

[3rdtimesthecharm]

Re: looking at an Over rated baja 16ss... can it handle the motor?

Re: looking at an Over rated baja 16ss... can it handle the motor?

A friend of mine had one with a 140 Evinrude in the early 80`s. The transom cracked on his. It was built in N. Little Rock plant when they had one there. It would fly though.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Looking to buy Baja 16ss, any thoughts?

It can handle WAY more power than that and there are guys out there running the same boat w/ 200+ hp. It does tend to want to chine walk though mid sixties. (I'm thinking the smart tabs I put on mine will help)

That is a great deal. Looks to be original gel-coat not paint. You said jackplate if it's hydraulic then it and the trailer are worth what he is asking. The motor is can fetch $1500 alone.

If you are interested in that style boat grab it.

 

[CheckmateEnticer]

Re: Looking to buy Baja 16ss, any thoughts?

I would buy that if the motor runs.

 

[CheckmateEnticer]

Re: Looking to buy Baja 16ss, any thoughts?

I saw you posted on ScreemandFly as well. You will get much different answers over there. I tend to agree with those guys on overpowered boats as they have more experience. If the transom is solid you should be fine but I doubt it is on a boat of that vintage. It looks like it is worth restoring though at that purchase price.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Looking to buy Baja 16ss, any thoughts?

I think roscoe has hit on a deal-breaker.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Looking to buy Baja 16ss, any thoughts?



If you really like the boat, buy it, sell the engine, and find a good used 120 to hang on it.

Oh, By the Way: Too much horsepower is never enough!

 

[Lk40hp]

Re: Looking to buy Baja 16ss, any thoughts?

I ended up passing on it . I would have dealt with the ovee rating part, and thrown a big steel plate over the rransom I had thought... but I asked for more pictures of it, and it is in a lot tougher shape than it appeared to be. Thanks for all the input, sorry if I wasted your time.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Looking to buy Baja 16ss, any thoughts?

Would we be here if we were worried about wasting time?

Good luck on your boat search.

 

[V153]

Re: Looking to buy Baja 16ss, any thoughts?

I ended up passing on it

Too bad, that coulda been a fun boat. Mid 60's is believable, my '81 15ss w/140 Jrude's best is 62.9. There's more there but the chine walk becomes uncontrollable. I run a Bob's 'true tracker' which does help, but don't cure it. Those hulls desperately needed a 'pad'. Btw they were built in Bucyrus OH at the time, right down the road from Checkmate.