Baja 184 project & pixs

[Maximerc]

Ok I got the boat weighed this morning 2660 pounds on the trailer. Tounge weight 180 pounds. Took measurements in the water 7 1/2 in free board to the engine well and 21 inches to the point of the bow (this is to the surface of the water). In the pictures you can see the nice matching seats.

All the wood under the side bolsters is rotted to nothing. The ones that are white with grey are the ones I have redone already.

The bove picture you can see the transome plugs are all loose, and when I drilled into the transom the wood appears to be saturated. Under the front seat

it had carpet wrapped clear around ant the water saturated the wood , you cant see much here but the wood under the carpet is pulpy

<br /><br />Hope to get a engine stand built today and maybe pull some of the seats out.

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

Well I did nopt get the engine stand built but I did get the seats and the bolsters off the sides, they were pure rot! When I bought the boat it had parts of a old tarp on it and parts of a blue tarp. Well I did ok on the price so I am not too hurt. I drilled a core sample in the floor the floor looks ok but other stuff under there looks scary. More pixs soon

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

That is a gorgeous boat. I hope you keep posting pictures as work progresses. Looking forward to seeing it back on the water.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

Beautifull boat, sure worth rebuilding. Seems heavy for its size, to mee.

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

What a beautiful boat. I can't belive it has so much hidden rot.<br /><br />If the floor and transom is sound, you could just replace the backing boards and put the orig upholstery back on for the seats/side pannels.<br /><br />But it does seem a little heavy.<br />The trailer probably weighs about 800 pounds or so. The hull with no fuel or gear probably weighs about 1,000, and if that's a Merc. 2.4 it will weigh right at 400lb.<br /><br />If you've got rotten wood, you probably have some waterlogged styro. under the floor. That would account for maybe a couple hundred extra pounds if its in really bad shape.

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

Thanks for responding to the weight ~ ! I thought it seemed heavy to me, but was not sure with the trailer under it. Pretty sure the transom is soaked , the drain hole fitting is terrible, and when I drilled for a depth finder the wood was dark and seemed wet. Core sample of the floor is ok at the center but I took a knife and drove it into the stringer and came back with black wood mush. I know this boat sat out uncovered and I bet not even tipped up. The Merc is a 2.0. unless some one changed the block cause I know it was rebuilt. All I know is even at this weight it will get out there and move. 14x22 pitch prop.

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

More in deep ! (pictures)<br /><br />

<br /><br />This is under the floor did not think it looked too bad till I took a knife and dug into the stringer

<br />The floor starting to come up.. the really bad places are where screws went through the floor.

<br /><br />floatation foam is interesting its soaked on the top and the bottom faily dry in the middle.

<br />If you look in the corner by the floor peice you can see (maybe) went through and caused the stringer to rot under it. Most of the stringer is saturated. You can also see the hole where Baja poured the foam on the floor piece standing up.<br />

<br />Some day it will look like this again ! Or better.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

That's a great looking boat! I've got a Sunsport very similar to yours although mine doesn't need the same TLC. I've got a 164 w/110 HP Johnson and 13.5 x 20 Raker. My boat has very low hours, is a 1988, and has always been kept inside. I wish I had the extra two feet!<br /><br />I'll keep my eye on your project and maybe I will be able to lend a hand (and learn a few things about the innerds of my own boat)!<br /><br />How fast will she go anyway? Mine's quick as snot but I can't get past the 55 MPH barrier, 50 MPH is my top speed with the 20 inch prop (my favorite). Getting the water out of that foam should shed a bunch of pounds. Baja seemed to build their boats right though, do you plan to reconstruct things pretty much like it was originally? Is the gel-coat in good shape? What year is she? Calico.

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

Calico<br /> Mine was neglected , shredded tarp sittin flat in the sun. Gel coat is not good. The engine had a rebuild around 1999. And it has the nice loader trailer. I researched these boats out pretty close, looking for something that was fast. easy to ski behind , easy to trailer,good seating. I paid a bit more than I should have, but the Merc ran good and it was what I wanted.<br /> With the extra weight I am now obviously floating (soaked wood and foam) I took it to the lake stripped. It maxed out at 57 and the merc was screaming for more prop (redline). When I get the butt lightened (transom seems saturated) I am gonna have to get a go fast prop for it. I am sure that 62 should be reachable (without the wife and kid screaming at me to slow down) I am running a 14 x22 prop now. Guessing a 24. Will be asking folks here. BTW with the 22 it pulled me skiing with 3 adults and 4 10 year olds in it. Power is not a issue ! <br /><br />How does yours ride? mine seems a bit harsh on waves but I am hoping that this is cured getting back the balance.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

Wow, your's is a really fast boat!! I think boats of that design perform best when they are between 18 and 21 feet long. Mine rides really rough but then it's only 16' and some change. On days with a little wind chop and no wakes I can really book along. And the Sunsport is definately a ski machine, we use ours for tubing a lot. Where is your tow pole? Your spash well is a little different than mine, does the pole thread in right behind the back seat?<br /><br />I have found that Baja only painted the wood that makes up seats and bolsters etc. on my own boat. The floor appears to be glassed, at least where I can see it. Do you have an issue with your windshield pinching together at the top due to flexing at the helms? That would be my major complaint with my boat, but I'll be fixing that this winter. I'm also looking to move my front seats back a little, shorten up the back seat, and put on an engine setback in order to get more lift at the bow and run in cleaner water. I think prop slippage at speed is a limiting factor with the outboard mounted on the transom on this particular hull.<br /><br />Man you don't know how many of those Bajas I see sitting around all broken down with For Sale signs on them around here. It's sickening, they are really great boats. They made a 204 too, but I've only seen the Sport (runabout, closed bow) model. If I found a Sunsport 204 bowrider in the same condition as my 164 I'd have to trade up.<br /><br />Again, great boat! Calico

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

Tow pole, had a place in the rear floor for one but I have no Idea where it is or how it was fastened. Could you shot a pic of yours ?? would love to see the boat anyway ! Have seen the 20 ft boats but they all seem to be inboard. I looked a long time at Checkmate Eluders they are cool looking too. But could not find one around my area.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

What year is that boat.... I keep coming back to look at these photos (fantastic looking boat). Read all the posts again, but still can't find where it says what year it is?

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

That will be a cool boat. My buddy has a 1980 16 ft Tahiti ski boat with a Mercruiser 470 I/O that I fixed for him. I had the short block professionally rebuilt, then I reassembled it. At 175 horses in a boat that weighs around 1900 lbs soaking wet, that thing pulls your lips up over your head at speed. He wants to sell it, I am really tempted, but I have no use for it. Its still cool though, is even more low slung than your beast. Good luck with it...

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

MaxiMerc, I don't have a picture hosting site set up. I'd be glad to email you pictures of the boat or any specific parts of it though, just drop me an address, maybe you could post my pic for me? Anyway, my ski pole drops through an aluminum grommet in the stern deck right behind the back seat, it is anchored below to the floor. My pole is located right about where your fuel filler is, if I'm interpreting your pictures right. My rear deck has a little more horizontal space before sloping into the splashwell than yours appears to. It's a nice setup as it is solid and out of the way.<br /><br />My splashwell also doesn't totally drain out because the holes are a bit high, I stick a long strip of terrycloth through one of them that acts like a wick to pull water out in case it somehow gets wet on the trailer.<br /><br />Again, I'll send you any pictures you need, I haven't found a host yet that won't spam me to death. So what year is your 184 already?!

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

Sorry everybody its a 1984. I have owned it for a couple of years. My email is stm62@hotmail.com would love to see your pixs

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

you can post pics for free at www.myfishingpictures.com<br /><br />just like i did with this one here....

<br /><br />that was my 1976 mercury 1150 that i sold on ebay for $1101, and bought a 1989 merc 90hp. been kicking my self since!!!

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

Phatman....... What were you thinkin??? You know that boat will never look right , and without that big straight 6 up in the airstream your boat will never turn right. Nice Palm trees, quite a contrast to my fall pictures LOL

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

i bought boat,motor, trailer for 800. been sitting for 20 years.<br /><br />i ran my magic fingers across the merc motor and made it run like new. sold the motor for 1100 and bought a 1989 merc 90hp 3 cylinder w/ t&t for 800, and then traded the boat and trailer for a 1970 VW squarback and a bimini top and a aluminum bow rail.<br /><br />i made out ok.<br /><br />but all bullzhit aside, your boat is freakin cool looking !!! i love baja's

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

Maximerc, If this works out you'll be seeing the ski post on my boat. I guess on my boat the rear deck has been extended into the cockpit by that upholstered section behind the back seat. The post's base is anchored into the floor.<br />

[/url][/IMG]<br /><br />It occurred to me I don't have too many good pictures of the rest of my boat. I'd have taken some but it's been raining here for a week now. I don't want to hijack your post anyway. I'll make a new post though when the sky clears up a bit, keep your eye out. If you need to see anything specific just ask!<br /><br />Calico

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Baja 184 project & pixs

looks great . Very clean !! Keep her covered up and sweet looking ! Lookin forward to seeing the whole thing. Hey do you think the standoff works good?