1990 Baja 250 ES

[Baja1]

Hello All,

I am new to this forum, but have been reading a lot of the posts. I have a 1990 Baja 250 ES that I bought about 4 years ago from a "friend". I had a rock punch a hole about the size of a nickel in the keel. After some investigating...(cutting out the floor, finding about 100 gallons of water between the gelcoat and the interior fiberglass matte, soaking the balsa core) I've found significant rot in the stringers. I know that the rot has been occuring for more than four years, some of the wood is completely black and I can push my finger right through. (I moved to NC last year and finally brought my boat down last month). I'm trying to figure the best way to replace the stringers. I know one side is completely shot. The boat has sentimental value, plus I can't afford a new one. So, I have decided to restore the entire boat!!
I was wondering if someone has had the same issues with a boat made by Baja. I've seen a lot of replacements done on open bows and small fishing boats on this forum, but not much with a cuddy cabin. Any input would be helpful....I have some pics, but I haven't downloaded them yet, plus work is still in progress. I don't have a shop to work in so, the work that I can do is in my driveway on the weekends!! (HOA rules-3 days in the driveway at one time)
Happy boating!!

 

[klos]

Re: 1990 Baja 250 ES

I'm working on the same job right now on a Baja Force 200. I have had a couple of Bajas now and a few more in the family. I have found that they build a real nice looking piece of crap. Even though they have there problems I still love these boats and with some hard work you can repair them way better that the factory built them.
Not getting it indoors is going to be tough but it can be done outside.
If you can email me some pics aaronklos@aol.com and I can try to steer you in the right direction.
Also this site will be one of your most helpfull tools. I've gotten a lot of great tips from these guys.

 

[strizzy]

Re: 1990 Baja 250 ES

Yeah unfortunately, Baja's aren’t the best built boats, but they have a great price tag on them and are tons of fun. My shop picked up a '92 262 Baja (Ba-Junk as we call them, no offense, we have lots of names for lots of boats. ie. Rot-Line for my Crownline) and it was delaminating at the stringers. Thing was just hammered though and the past owner(s) didn’t do a thing to take care of it, which is probably why it ended up at auction...

With some work, you will have a great looking boat. Hell that’s half the fun, being able to take all your friends and family out on something you slaved over and watch them enjoy it!!

 

[hoytheld]

Re: 1990 Baja 250 ES

ba-junk...maybe true...but this is one bad a$$ mo-fo here!!

http://www.bajamarine.com/index.asp?display=brochure&tab=0&modelid=79019&reqtype=1,9,17,19,23

 

[Baja1]

Re: 1990 Baja 250 ES

Klos, when I get them downloaded, I'm going to post them as the work progresses. I will say it has been a total pain in the a$$. I removed all the seats and in the interior. I've been working on building all new forms for the cockpit seats---rotten to the core.
I'm a low voltage electrician, so I can work with my hands. I enjoy it, I only wish I had the facilities!! I'd definitely appreciate anything you might incur, I'll do the same!!

Strizzy--I've seen ALL your pics for your project--very nice. I was impressed. I actually showed my wife to let her know that I can do it myself and save us a lot of $$.


Thanks guys,

 

[klos]

Re: 1990 Baja 250 ES

You guys are lucky your wives are so supportive. Mine, not so much. She thinks I spend more time with boats than I do with her. She's probably right

Baja1, this project will seem very intimidating when you begin but it’s really not that bad. In fact you will probably enjoy it. My first project Baja was about six years ago, after that one was complete I found myself constantly on eBay, boat trader and the local newspaper looking for more project boats.

Srizzy, great lookin ride. How long did it take to complete?

 

[strizzy]

Re: 1990 Baja 250 ES

double! ah

 

[strizzy]

Re: 1990 Baja 250 ES

Thanks klos! Eight weeks, thats working only a couple nights a week, no weekends.

Yeah I am pretty much expecting to do another boat next summer, more of a flip for that one...my girlfriend says I'm gonna get attached and start my own fleet...we will see!

 

[Baja1]

Re: 1990 Baja 250 ES

Hey all,

Work is progressing. I've finished two of the seat forms and started the single bucket seats. Boy, I think they build each seat with one whole tree apiece!!. Lots of cuts, small pieces and lots of slivers!! I'm going to build them all and then coat them with fiberglass resin to seal them from getting wet and rotting again! (I was workiing on a job site and was able to get a lot of the wood from the site!!)
Anyway, I'm getting ready to upload some pics this weekend!!.
I have two questions....

1) What is the best way to upload them? I have noticed that some of the pics don't show up!!!

2) Anyone have any good advice on how to find new foam for the seats? I've been looking on the 'net and I've been told to checkk with upholsteres. I think going to upholsteres might be costly, but I'm not sure. if anyone has any suggetsions, feel free.

Take it easy!