Thoughts on 1989 Baja 210 sport 350 i/o

[tfmech]

I am thinking about picking up a 89 Baja 210 sport with 350 I/o. I am thinking about getting it to replace my hydrostream vulture. My fiance hates the way the vulture rides in anything more then a 6 inch chop. Just looking for some info because I have not found much on the 210 sport. Like how they handle at speed how fast are they capable of with enough power. Any info or thoughts would be great

 

[Scott Danforth]

agreed with your other half on the hydrostream. fantastic flat water boats. a larger bow-rider will ride better.

However - its a 28 year old boat, so expect the worst and hope for the best. read the DIY stickies in the hull restoration forum , specifically link 14 http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat-...at-information on rebuilding stringers, transom, and deck. also, read this sticky http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gener...er-s-checklist

 

[tfmech]

The one I am looking at had new stringers and floor in about 06. Owner assures it is solid but I am going to give it the fine tooth comb over before I fork over the cash he is asking for. It was a boat mechanics personal boat since it was about a year old.

It is a closed bow. Some of my big questions mostly about the hull handleing characteristics in 1-1 1/2 foot chop. Speed I am a fuel mechanic so I can't leave any v8 alone especially a SB Chevy so when it it gets a turbo and couple hundred extra ponys how, did they handle at 75-80 or do they even need to go that fast. It is going to be sketchier then the hydrostream or better. I have always had fast outboards this is the first attempt at a fast inboard.

 

[southkogs]

Realize the hull was designed for certain "hull speeds." That means you don't get quite the same results as when you add HP to a car - you don't automatically get all of the speed you want out of it. With the hull on that boat, as you add power I would think it'll climb higher up out of the water and eventually get kinda' unstable. There's a point where the hull just gets up on the surface and inertia takes over.

I would think that hull at 75 or 80 in 1 foot chop would be like sledding down Mt Everest. You'll be over the water more than on it.

 

[jbcurt00]

Google or youtube

Chine walking

I doubt your Admiral (fiancee~wife) will care much for it. Considerably less enjoyable then your current boat in 6in chop.

Chine walk can occur on flat water too, doesnt require any chop, once the hull becomes unstable.

 

[tfmech]

Guess I was asking two separate questions there should have separated them.

Am wondering how the 210 hull does in 1-1 1/2 chop at any speed really. The hydrostream doesn't matter if it it trimmed down nose down with the v in the water it is still beating across the water at 10 or 40 mph.

Second what should I figure the max speed the 210 hull should go is is 75-80 a reasonable expectation for that hull design with the right setup and power?

You are right a 1 1/2 chop at at 80 in 21ft boat would be a bit dicey

 

[211libwtfo]

I would suggest more of a deep V. We have a liberator 21' and mows right over 3'ers on the river 40mph cruise no prob. And my wife (admiral) was a very very sketchy wave person but not anymore. I think the hull walls come up something like 9 degrees I'm sure someone knows for sure. Chaparrals have a nice deep V also.

 

[Scott Danforth]

If you want to go 70-80mph, you need a go-fast hull and the appropriate go-fast power plant. Most likely 28' long or moree

Watercooled turbos for marine use are really expensive. A supercharger would be a better option. Then there is the current drive on the Baja. Most likely an alpha 1. So your limited to about 300hp. Moving up to a bravo and your limited to under 500hp. The Bravo XR1 is good for 600.

Unlike your hydrostream hull which is designed to go fast, the Baja hull is intended to be a general use hull. However unlike the hydrostream where 6 foot rollers mean you get wet and pucker the upholstery up your backside, the cobalt would be a lot less scary.

However if you want to run 40+ mph across 1.5' waves, get a true offshore hill

Your then looking at Cigarette, FasTech, Fountain, Donzi, Welcraft, Intrepid, Nortech, etc and not a SeaRay, Baja, Tinker, Four Winns, Cobalt, etc

 

[bajaunderground]

I had a 1982 Baja BR186 (which became the SunSport a few year later, same hull design, less a few new pieces). Back in 1980's they were still hand laid hulls and were built fairly stout. I could run her at 65mph with a 200HP Mercury and a 21P prop spinning ~6,800rpms... very, very stable...only got chine walk in 1'-1 1/2' chop, easily controllable with trim. An outboard and an inboard have considerably different handling characteristics and I have yet to see chine walk happen as easily and/or as pronounced as I have with an out board.

I think with motor that could run in 70-80mph range you'll find that boat would tolerate it from a strength and durability standpoint...assuming the hull and substructure are sound? Over on the checkmate-boats.com forum, they call the early Baja's "clones" as their early hull design were 'borrowed' from checkmate...which can be very, very fast boats

Is this roughly the boat?

Have her checked out (mostly for rot) if you like the results, make an offer and see what she'll run...my guess in basic trim 55-58mph???

 

[tfmech]

Alright come on you guys have to give me the benefit of the doubt that if I have a hydrostream and am talking about building a 75-80mph hot rod I know how to drive a boat and that I know what chine walk is. I will just give you my favorite one when I got see some retards in a 20 Ft bass boat find out what chine walk is the hard way while they were trying to catch one of the wilder sleepers I bolted together. It was a 13 foot 8 inch tri hull with a high compressio140horse rude on a 6 inch lift plate. Talk about ill handling it was a rocket in a straight line on the slick water though.....I didn't even buff it out so it just looked like a true sleeper unless you noticed that it wasn't a 85 horse hanging on it or the funny smelling gas.



That just one of the wild ones I have put together. I can build the power that is not a problem it might be turbo as I can get a hook up on them or, blower or might just go all motor. If it needs a bravo drive it will get one. I am not real worried about the mechanical part as much. Horsepower is one of my specialties



I was looking for something in the 20-21 foot range that was little more in the middle of being of full off shore hull and the vulture that is not beating and bouncing of the water if you just looked at the ripple in the water wrong like the vulture and when the water is slick in the late afternoon I can pour the coals to it and get up there in the mid seventies and still look like a power boats not your grandpas bayliner or have to have a 502 to get there. I am guessing it is going to be closer to the hydrostream and further from 24 donzi and can cut the waves at 40mph. But that is just a guess because I haven't owned one or ridden in one that is why I am looking for info on them or best of both world someone that has had both or ridden in both that could give me a idea.

Is there anyone one here that has had a Baja 210 or 220? I know they made them with big blocks too even with outboard the big block ones were said to run in the high 60s stock. If you had owned one what did it ride like. How fast did you have it going anyone have any videos besides what's on you tube. They had too make a good amount of them because there are a few for sale just don't see much info on the hull specs, dead rise, dimensions besides length and beam.

 

[tfmech]

I had a 1982 Baja BR186 (which became the SunSport a few year later, same hull design, less a few new pieces). Back in 1980's they were still hand laid hulls and were built fairly stout. I could run her at 65mph with a 200HP Mercury and a 21P prop spinning ~6,800rpms... very, very stable...only got chine walk in 1'-1 1/2' chop, easily controllable with trim. An outboard and an inboard have considerably different handling characteristics and I have yet to see chine walk happen as easily and/or as pronounced as I have with an out board.

I think with motor that could run in 70-80mph range you'll find that boat would tolerate it from a strength and durability standpoint...assuming the hull and substructure are sound? Over on the checkmate-********** forum, they call the early Baja's "clones" as their early hull design were 'borrowed' from checkmate...which can be very, very fast boats

Is this roughly the boat?

Have her checked out (mostly for rot) if you like the results, make an offer and see what she'll run...my guess in basic trim 55-58mph???

Thanks I am going to go with enough time to check it out really well. Yeah they look pretty close to an checkmate enchanter maybe that is why I like it. It seems funny there is not more info on them. That is what I was guessing on the handling I just wanted some people that have had one of one that is close to the same model to concur the info the owner has been giving me. The more info the better. Thanks

 

[tfmech]

Only only one classic Baja owner?