Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

[Shakeydeal]

I am looking at the boat stated in the title priced now at $3500. Add says it has, new lower unit installed last spring, new gimbal bearings, all new bellows, plugs and wires, new alternator, battery and starter and a stainless prop. Owner states it runs great and is great on gas. I have yet to lay eyes on it but am wondering if anyone has experience with this boat? If so what should I be looking for in specific as far as common trouble spots/concerns. I am also hoping to take it for a test ride and any advice on what to look for during the test would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Shakeydeal]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

OK, well how about just informed opinions then?

 

[emilsr]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

Depending on the year model, rotten transoms and stringers have been known to happen.

If you're not sure what to look for I'd strongly suggest having a survey done on the boat prior to purchase. Not only will you get a professional opinion on the condition of the boat, but during the survey you'll gain some valuable insight.

 

[Bayliner1952]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

I've got a 3.0LX on my 19' cuddy and I love it. It's great on fuel and enough power for me and 5 of my friends. Pulls a tube and does well in the salt water. I have a 19p prop on it. last season I had a 21p and it had a tough time getting out of the hole. IMO the 3.0 is a fantastic motor.
Good luck

 

[tschmidty]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

Specific boat model questions usually don't get answered because so few people have experience with that exact model. There are lots of great posts here and elsewhere about what to look for for a new boat. You also don't mention the year which is pretty important for any advice. In a general sense how did the previous owner treat it? With that parts replacement list, it could also have sprung a leak in the bellows and sunk at the dock necessitating replacing the starter, etc. Who knows? If you are paying a good penny, get a survey.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

A 3.0 in a 19' boat isn't going to be a speed demon. Not sure how old it is but your biggest concern in any older fiberglass boat is rot in the wooden components of the hull: deck, transom, stringers. ANY soft spots in the deck could be (and usually are) indicative of more serious rot below in the stringers. Is it a Mercruiser drive?

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

What year, seems like a hell of a deal if its all in good condition.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

6 replies in 2 minutes. Wow! I bet all of us thought we were the first responders.

 

[Shakeydeal]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

Wow! That was fast and furious! Looks like a survey is the best course of action for me. Thanks to all.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

I know a couple of 190 Islanders; it's a neat boat. The ones I've been around are pretty fast with a V6. No experience with the 3.0, but it should be pretty good on gas.

 

[mikel1291979]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

I have a baja 190 islander with the 4.3. Great boat with a very nice performace hull. It won't have the greatest hole shot with the 3.0, but it will have decent top end. I don't think you will have a problem with 1 skier. Pull as many tubes as you want. $3500 is a very good deal if it's solid and runs well. I love the baja lines, and it does get noticed on the water.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

What year is it?

It might be a liner boat, meaning the majority of the structure is a fiberglass liner instead of a traditional floor and stringers. Baja had some issues with the bigger models but I never heard of any on a 19'.

Still should be balsa cored I believe.

Team baja .com will be more specific.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

What year is it?

It might be a liner boat, meaning the majority of the structure is a fiberglass liner instead of a traditional floor and stringers. Baja had some issues with the bigger models but I never heard of any on a 19'.

Still should be balsa cored I believe.

Team baja .com will be more specific.

teambajamarine.com has what you're looking for.

The 202 (we loved ours), 247 and 277 Islanders were all liner boats; all the other Islanders had traditional stringer/bulkhead construction.

 

[Shakeydeal]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

The boat is an '89. From pics it looks sharp. Owner states vinyl is cracking but not how badly. I will look at it next week with whomever does the survey and hopefully take it for a test ride at that time as well. I have one unrelated question, what is with NADA values? They seem at least a thousand dollars low on every boat.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

NADA is pretty worthless, especially for older boats.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

teambajamarine.com has what you're looking for.

The 202 (we loved ours), 247 and 277 Islanders were all liner boats; all the other Islanders had traditional stringer/bulkhead construction.

Great answer.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

The boat is an '89. From pics it looks sharp. Owner states vinyl is cracking but not how badly. I will look at it next week with whomever does the survey and hopefully take it for a test ride at that time as well. I have one unrelated question, what is with NADA values? They seem at least a thousand dollars low on every boat.

Post up the pics!

NADA is pretty worthless, especially for older boats.

This.

 

[LiquidAssets]

Re: Experienced opinions on Baja Islander 190 w 3.0L Engine

I own a 1989 Baja Islander 190 with the 4.3 engine. I purchased it last fall and I could not be happier. In my opinion, you can not find a nicer boat that's 22 years old for the money. And that's the whole point right? Get the biggest bang for your buck....
My boat did not have an hour gauge, so I assume it will be the same for this boat (I could be wrong though).

The boat is good on gas, so the 3.0 will be even better. I love this boat because you can chill in the middle of the water and listen to tunes, with plenty of seating. You can cruise at faster speeds, you can pull skiiers/tubers and you have enough room for 3 people to fish.

For a financial comp, the guy I bought it from was selling it for $4700, I got it for $4200 and the boat was in mint condition. I have had several seasoned vets look the boat over and they put a $5K price tag on it. I'll take an experienced boaters appraisal over NADA's. So I think if the boat you are looking at is in good condition, $3500 is a good price. Heck you might even be able to get it for a bit cheaper.

I posted a pic of mine in the marina, apologies if the pic is so small, it's all I have on my PC at work.

Good luck! It's been a great boat so far to my family.