hey Bill, my personal opinion is that I think it bothers some folks that their design is somewhat different than classic performance boats. I think they're great boats. They have a tremendous amount of room in their cockpits and cabins, are built pretty well and hold their value as good as any other boat. You can't augue with success and Baja sells a lot of boats!

They are great values for the money. Their smooth lines and somewhat bulbous shape are unique in the performance boating arena where sleek shapes and hard lines tend to prevail....

just my casual observation.

- jeff

 

BillR,,,that is a very good question
I for one am appalled at this type of bashing,and am finding it harder and harder to return to this forum.. It is so upsetting to my wife,she talked the other day about trading in our BrandB boat and gettin a brand P.....That's right,a pontoon boat....A patio with a steering wheel and motor.....Of course it would be YELLOW.......

I might even give up boating altogether. Don't be surprised if someday I am spotted at the airport,with a shaved head,a tattered Brand B shirt,a parrot on my shoulder,2 skinny dogs,and my hand out begging for some spare change..All so I can try to get back into the boating world with something other than a Brand B boat....


Well I for one can't wait to see the other answers,because they will most likely be telling the truth

 

BillR,

JEALOUSY!

I don't know why. Everyone that I know that has one loves them. They are reasonably priced and great rough water boats (Outlaws). My 272 seemed to be good in the medium rough stuff, but my Outlaw is much better (Like them both). Mine handles great. I like many different boats. I am just not a fan of the Fountain style, but by no means do think they are junk. Different people, different tastes. I would still let a brand "F" owner hang out with us. (out of pity)

 

Bill,,, not to pick on your buddy, but I think it may have had something to do with his driving,,, I have had a 272 since new in 1997, and I boat on Lake Michigan so 2 footers are a calm day. I have had people on my boat who own 29 - 32 footers who say my boat rides as good or better then theirs.

I have found that people who pick on Bajas, generally have never been on one.

AND, the first comment is usually, WOW, this is a really nice boat.

Just like Bayliner, they had lots of problems in the 80's,,,, HELLO,,, PEOPLE,,,, That was 20 years ago,,,, I would have NO problem owning a Bayliner cruiser now, the only thing about them is they put in Very small power standard,,,, just check a few options boxes and your in buisness.

Back to Baja,,,, pick on them why,,,, Well, when you find you have spent tens of thousands of dollars to do the exact same thing ( and not always better ) your gonna be upset !!!!

 

They do look good.
They use cheap vinyl, stitching is poor, cookie cutter styling and graphics. How many years have their been problems with door handles, cabin door locks etc... Ever walk across the sunpad and wonder why your foot sinks further down on one part more than another???Fit and finish is questionable. Look at the corners on the dash/trim ...excessive caulk and compound. The cabins are poor construction where all the pieces meet. Thin paintwork..., guages not even. Decals not straight. The 272 is popular but truely not a great ride. The 29 outlaw ride is average at best. remember the old 290 not too many years ago?... I ride in these boats all the time and perhaps I am spoiled by some purpose built offshore boats. I have friends who own a 22 caliber right up to the 36, I will get on any one anxiously. They are great lake boats and for my area thats perfect!! Thats all I would need as well.
Baja is inexpensive compared to the market, and that makes them popular. You know what you are getting. They use many of the same parts as the more expensive boats so they cant be all that bad! the hardware for the dash, steering, trim, power, and drives are all the same (for the most part)!

I must say the '03's I have seen look nothing like the models 2 years ago. Fit and finish have improved ten-fold! Which makes most of the above moot(sp).
Dont get me wrong, not many boats are up to the task of true offshore or great lakes boating. BUT WHO REALLY NEEDS THAT MUCH!!! NOT EVERYONE( some really do) I surely dont. I looked the other way from Baja because I did not want to see my boat with the same graphics everywhere I went!
Dollar for dollar they are a good deal. Everyone knows them and you can re-sell em!!!
.02

 

Well, I am going to stick in my .02!

We have own our Baja 272 since September of 97......we love the boat and boating! That is one of the reasons why it is very difficult to even think about getting rid of it for a bigger boat.

We have had minor problems, and if anything was serious, we have brought it to Baja and they have taken the responsility and fix it at now cost to us! How could you beat that????? And as we all know, it could happen to anybody!

As far as the cheap vinyl and stitching! We have never had a problem with ours.....but I guess when you take care of something as carefully at Mr. Ob does, you don't have those kind of problems!!!!

I do have one question for Jeff. When did all the "SKATERNATORS" get back on the board??????

When we are out on the water, and see someone with a smaller boat then ours, whether it is a Bayliner, Crownline, etc., we just treat them as one of the crowd.......we don't judge people by what they are boating in..........isn't that they way it should be??

JB - your signature also says "As long as you are on the water." So why the bashing?????

That is my .02! I just wish people would keep comments like this to themselves.....as long as we are on the water and having a good time, what difference does it make!

 

I have had people on my boat who own 29 - 32 footers who say my boat rides as good or better then theirs.

Geez Bill.......we need more folks like that in the HRPA.

 

In reponse to jb,

All manufactures have quality control issues. Some more than others. If you want a boat that doesn't have a little excess silicone or a little bump in the fiberglass then yes go pay another $ 75,000 for the same size boat and power with another "custom" builder. I can clean up some of the little imperfections (and if I can't Baja will under warranty) and pocket that $75 grand or put it into power or a kick a$$ tow vehicle. As far as the 29 Outlaw ride being "average at best", I have had people ride on mine that have been on MANY different boats (high end also) say mine size for size rides as good if not better than any of the others (particularly in the rough stuff).

 

there are no perfect boats. I don't care who builds it and even the folks that have very strict manufacturing guidelines still have boats with problems rolling out the door.

anyone can find fault with any boat.....

 

Brand B guys sometimes do have a chip on their shoulder but for the most part the majority are good guys. I do have a few friends that have Baja's and I talked 4 of them into geting them. Most of the guys with Baja's are younger guys that really are'nt established yet and just want to go boating. And yes you do get the most for your money in a Baja. But down here most of the Baja guys are whopper queens when it comes to their boats. One guy was hitting 79 mph in his 29' and this guy went apeshit that just told me his 25' did 95. A guy on another board"claimed" his 25 Outlaw would do 80+ offshore and I told him I would do anything to see it. What happened?? He tucked his tail and ran away and started posting under another name. I have nothing against one boat or another, but if I pay $50k for a boat I don't want to see 3 of them on a small lake like what we have here....I almost bought a Baja for my first boat but then I found a Scarab that I fell in love with and had to have...Baja's are great boats and who knows maybe one day Jeff, Gilla, and I will all go and get a deal on 3

 

Being a Brand B owner, I gotta stick my nose in here.
First off, I`m a poor boy. I cannot, in no way afford a Brand C, F , S or XYZ for that matter. 2 years ago I went shopping for a used performance-oriented boat. My budget was for a 21-24' boat for under $30K. I was looking for something in the 65+ mph range too. Here`s what I looked at:
Donzi ZX22. Good looking boat, but you didn`t get much for the price. I honestly never found a used one for less than $35K
Scarab 22. I looked at 3 of these. All were less than 4 years old and all of them needed new interior. Can you say "cheap vinyl"???
Described best by my wife: No frills, plain-looking boat.
All of the Bajas I looked at had many features, nice graphics and just simply looked good!
I bought a `98 Hammer with a 454 a thru-hull exhaust. It had a nice Clarion sound system, dual-batteries, matching canvas cover and was sitting on a great trailer. With less than 90 freshwater hours. I got it for less than $25K tax and all. IT has been 100% trouble-free. I get loads of compliments each time out.
As far as people bashing Bajas, I only see it on the internet!!!! Never on the water....
Why is that?

 

As far as people bashing Bajas, I only see it on the internet!!!! Never on the water....
Why is that? [/B][/QUOTE]

Because no one has the guts to say anything to anyone face.......it is always in writing to get everyone all worked up - or bind their backs!

 

Because no one has the guts to say anything to anyone face.......it is always in writing to get everyone all worked up - or behind their backs!

I couldn't have put it any better myself.

 

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

 

Somebody refresh my memory, but didn't most of the brand "B" stuff on here start out as some good natured ribbing between gilla and boatnut ? :confused1 :bigsmile:
I think somewhere along the line the forum created a brand B monster all in good fun. But we have some newer members that are coming into the middle of the goings ons and might not realize that the brand B is just fun bashing. Hopefully no one is taking this too seriously. As they say, just my 2 cents !

 

Bill,,, not to pick on your buddy, but I think it may have had something to do with his driving,,, I have had a 272 since new in 1997, and I boat on Lake Michigan so 2 footers are a calm day. I have had people on my boat who own 29 - 32 footers who say my boat rides as good or better then theirs.

I really don't think that is the case. He has had boats for 33 years and IMHO, is one good driver. Plus I was there to make sure he did it right!! LOL :laugher:


WMS; that would never happen in the HRPA. Most are hell bent to disparage anything that is not in thier driveway.


JB: vinyl may not be top shelf, but the price is not top shelf either. Stitching is poor? Really? In what way?
"Cookie cutter styling and graphics". It is a production boat, but the same can be said for Scarab, Donzi, PQ etc. We are NOT talking custom made boats.
"Fit and finish is questionable. Look at the corners on the dash/trim ...excessive caulk and compound." I've been on a few brand "B"s and not seen this first hand. In fact, most of what you describe also seems to be the traits of production boats.

 

Brand B works for me.When I head out on the lake, I make sure I have a couple cases of duct tape,6 or 7 different size screwdrivers and umbrella's for all my passengers(for when it starts raining parts).It's really no big deal.:winker: :laugher:

 

In reponse to jb,

All manufactures have quality control issues. Some more than others. If you want a boat that doesn't have a little excess silicone or a little bump in the fiberglass then yes go pay another $ 75,000 for the same size boat and power with another "custom" builder.

Actually, I've seen "custom" boats that don't have the quality and attention to details that brand "B" has. One that jumps to mind is Sonic. The paint work was lousy, lots of caulk every where to fill gaps, questionable fit & finish. . . . . Yet no one bashes Sonic!!!!!

 

Don't let the name fool you. I too am a Baja owner.(1989 Baja 265 Force) I agree I've been in some nicer boats BUT, none with comparable features, power and PRICE ! Yes ! there are many Baja's out there with similar packages.(cookie cutter) How can so many people be wrong. ? I don't remember the last time I got on some one's boat to check out fit and finish ?! I personally have direct hands on experience with the cabinetry end(solid cherrywood) of "Cruisers" 50' Yachts. I will guarantee I could go onto anyone's boat and find flaws !!!

This reminds me of my motorcycle days. I owned a rice burner,crotch rocket, cafe style bike. "If didn't own a Harley you weren't a biker" ?

My philsophy is if it floats and has power. They're a boater ! Some may have a boat worth hundreds of dollars and some hundreds of thousands. I don't really care ?!

I don't claim to have the biggest or the fastest or the best ride but, anyone is welcome on my boat no matter what you float !

PEACE !

 

stuchamp,

I was thinking sort of the same thing but didn't the term "Brand B" get started by a former member that was only here to bash anything that wasn't his? And from there Gilla and Boatnut just kind of took it and ran with it. I'm rather glad I was here to see all of it take place as it made for some very humorous reading.

I can say I've been on a few different Bajas and also been on a 34 Scarrab quite often(my best friends boat) and can say that I don't see the point of spending the extra money.

As far as Baja owners having a chip on their shoulder the ones I know and have met in passing are nothing like that. What is mistaken for a chip on the shoulder is probably only what those who own more expensive boats see when they are looking down their noses.

Do I own a Baja? NO
Would I? YES

 

Very well stated McGilla!!!!!

Stu - yes this might have started with Boatnut and Gilla goofing around, but when it starts to hit close to home and others jump in and start bashing something that I proudly own, I will stick up for myself and others that own a "Brand B!"

I just don't like to see people trash others because of what they own.......we are very proud Baja owners and as long as they take of us, we will proudly own one again!!

 

I can see where these newer members don`t really understand what is going on here. I realize this Brand B stuff is all in good fun. But these other guys don`t see it that way and are jumping on the bandwagon. Skaternator really gave us some priceless entertainment, you must admit. Sometimes I actually miss him for that. I want to say one more thing, then I`ll get off this subject. If there is indeed Baja bashing going on, I don`t see it. If there truly was, Jeff would have already taken care of it. We all poke fun at each other on this forum and I enjoy that. Let`s just be sensitive to those who may not enjoy the ribbing as much. Now, I have to go. Gotta run down to Lowes, I heard they just got a shipment of purple duct tape in!!!! Lord knows I need it! Might buy a new scredriver set while I`m there!

 

There is nothing here that Jeff needs to erase.......people want to voice there opinion about "BRAND B" let them.....but it doesn't mean I have to sit back and take it!!:gunner: :gunner:

 

Well, I am going to stick in my .02!


That is one of the reasons why it is very difficult to even think about getting rid of it for a bigger boat.

Besides being married to a TIGHT WAD!!:laugher: :laugher: :winker:

 

Don Man that was in part the reason for my post above to kinda sorta maybe give some explanation as to the Brand B thing I agree with you that What his namenator was entertaining.

Mrs. OB I would have been shocked and disappointed to see you sit back and take it.