What to get: Sunbird 18ft/115hp OB -or- Baja 21ft 200hp OB

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gixxerjim

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Mar 14, 2007
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My sister and her husband with two young kids are shopping two 1992 model year boats, both in very good condition, both Johnson outboards. The Sunbird is an 18ft bowrider with the quiet rider 115hp motor ($4500obo), the Baja a 21ft bowrider with a 200hp outboard ($3400obo) in similar overall condition.

I am pushing hard for them to go for the baja, bigger, more hp, better name (?), and even cheaper etc. Am I missing something?
 
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ulo

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May 19, 2011
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Re: What to get: Sunbird 18ft/115hp OB -or- Baja 21ft 200hp OB

I'd get the Baja if storing wasn't an issue. 18ft will probably fit in a garage, 21 might not.
 
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gixxerjim

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Re: What to get: Sunbird 18ft/115hp OB -or- Baja 21ft 200hp OB

Good point, they have a deep garage though so no problem there. I am just wondering if there is anything intrinsic problems or shortcomings of either of these boats or outboards? I kind of like the quiet drive on the Sunbird ( outboard is concealed under a panel above the transom, looks like in I/O)....but the Baja seems like a LOT more boat for less money give equal age and condition....
 
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solmate

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Re: What to get: Sunbird 18ft/115hp OB -or- Baja 21ft 200hp OB

If both in similar condition go with the bigger boat. The small kids get bigger & an 18' boat will shrink quickly, it will save them from getting 2 footitis later.. trust me, we all get it at one point or another & kids want to bring friends. My 2 cents
 
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gixxerjim

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Re: What to get: Sunbird 18ft/115hp OB -or- Baja 21ft 200hp OB

10/4 I am currently suffering from 3 foot itis myself. Unfortunately it is apparently not contagious as my wife is not similarly afflicted.
 
Bob_VT

Bob_VT

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Re: What to get: Sunbird 18ft/115hp OB -or- Baja 21ft 200hp OB

I am NOT a fan of the sunbird's construction at all....... I would go Baja
 
silveraire

silveraire

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Re: What to get: Sunbird 18ft/115hp OB -or- Baja 21ft 200hp OB

Bob_VT said:
I am NOT a fan of the sunbird's construction at all....... I would go Baja
Click to expand...

sunbirds not known for their good construction. It still comes down to how the boat was maintained. Bigger almost always better.

chad
 
26aftcab454

26aftcab454

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Re: What to get: Sunbird 18ft/115hp OB -or- Baja 21ft 200hp OB

silveraire said:
sunbirds not known for their good construction. It still comes down to how the boat was maintained. Bigger almost always better.

chad
Click to expand...

yep
 
NSBCraig

NSBCraig

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Re: What to get: Sunbird 18ft/115hp OB -or- Baja 21ft 200hp OB

Easy call is this a trick question?

Baja!
 
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americaneagler77

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Jun 15, 2011
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Re: What to get: Sunbird 18ft/115hp OB -or- Baja 21ft 200hp OB

if condition is equal then baja. but we have a 1991 sunbird corsair 205 in our family with a 5.0 v8. the boat is BEAUTIFUL sleek and goes over 50 mph. despite all the neg we heard about the name we went with it over a 1992 chap and have no regrets. the boat is original and in great shape. but as i said if theyre really equal then baja.
 
Beefer

Beefer

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Re: What to get: Sunbird 18ft/115hp OB -or- Baja 21ft 200hp OB

Baja is a much better boat. With that said, there's probably a reason it's priced lower then the Sunbird. Have it looked at by a surveyor.
 
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gixxerjim

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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171
Re: What to get: Sunbird 18ft/115hp OB -or- Baja 21ft 200hp OB

Turns out the Sunbird is immaculate, the Baja, er yeah not so much. I drove the baja last night. Great power, great hull, interior needs some redoing, needs some odds and ends. Still a ton of potential for the right buyer at $3400. Sister and hubby not looking to work on it so they bought the Sunbird. I reeeeaaaally like the baja, but don't need two boats right now.
 
silveraire

silveraire

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Apr 23, 2006
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Re: What to get: Sunbird 18ft/115hp OB -or- Baja 21ft 200hp OB

you realize that we are going to need pics now. Congrats to the family on the new boat

chad
 
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