What is this thing? (tri-hull?)

[bashr52]

I may have a possible trade for this thing. He's looking to downsize, and I'm looking to upsize. He said without looking at the title, all he knows is its a 16 footer from the 80's and says Baja on the side. Looks like a stable fishing platform for me, and less cramped than what I currently have for sure!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: What is this thing? (tri-hull?)

Baja is a pretty well respected boat company. They made a line of shallow trihull bass boats back in the 80s, and this is apparently one of those.

Could be a good boat if you are a bass fisherman. Not great in big water, though. Very stable platform.

All the usual considerations apply. Check transom, soft floor, and good outboard.

 

[bashr52]

Re: What is this thing? (tri-hull?)

He said the floor and carpet were replaced last year, and the outboard was gone through at that time as well. Has a 60hp Johnson. Before I do the deal if he decides its something he'd want to trade, then I'll be sure to look it over good before handing him my keys and title.

 

[JoLin]

Re: What is this thing? (tri-hull?)

Warning flag.

He replaced the floor. Everything I read on this forum points to the distinct possibility that if the floor was soft, the transom and stringers are probably worse. Be cautious.

 

[cpubud]

Re: What is this thing? (tri-hull?)

replaced floor is a big warning sign.def need to check stringers and transom.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: What is this thing? (tri-hull?)

I don't know if the floor replacement means the rest is bad.

The transom is sealed from everything and only poor install of a motor or thru hull in the transom will make it go bad. That's what killed mine bad owners not builders. I'd still check it though by drilling some holes thru the inside to find wet wood.

It probably doesn't have a stringer, 16' like mine have a floor support not a stringer and that boat has a shallower hull.

It's a balsa cored hull so be aware of that, performance boats are still made this way but again it can lead to problems if a past owner was clueless.

Baja has always been a pretty upper level boat by build quality.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: What is this thing? (tri-hull?)

Oh and nice motor.