Baja 38 Special for trip thru Carribbean

[tuffr2]

How would a boat like this be for a trip from S. Florida to the Bahamas then thru the Caribbean? I would want to cruise at 35kts.

Is this type of 'go fast' boat ok for the ocean? I would wait for good passage weather for sure.

Thoughts?

[tuffr2]

Ok - I will add the Baja 'go fast' boat would be 38'. Twin Engine typical looking sport boat.

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[boatpoker]

[bobconnie]

It would depend on the size and limit of your credit card !!

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

...I would want to cruise at 35kts...Thoughts?

You sure?

Fuel will cost you >$100/hour--that's $100 every hour!

[tuffr2]

I have looked at costs of different types of boats. Still not convinced a 'go fast' boat is the best option. Still not 100% sure of the detailed plan. Just trying to formulate viable options.

$100 / hr. is not perfect but the boat would be shutdown at times.

Could this type of boat handle the trip or would it sink?

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[HappyMdRSailor]

Any vessel that has more water and weight in it than the remaining displacement of the hull will sink....

I think...

[Navicula]

100 bucks and hour at 35 Knots
that means you could cross the gulf stream in about an hour....sounds good to me....
what about living on it...
head room...
generator....
anchor.....

it could be fun

[tuffr2]

Living on a boat like this for a few weeks / months will not be easy. The cabin is long and narrow. It has just enough amenities to get by. Here are a few things that I like.

1/3 the cost of a used sailboat.
1/4 the cost of a used cat
Fast enough to get from point 'A' to point 'B'
Easy to tow, comes with a trailer
I can use in the summer on in-land lakes.

Expensive to run - sure.

Expensive to buy - used, not really that bad.

I will able to stand up in the cabin. I will add canvas from the windshield back so it can be closed up. I would probably sleep in the back part of the boat under the canvas.

Again - from boats I have researched there is no easy or perfect boat. I know owning a boat is a big hassle. But to minimize the hassle to fun quotient this might not be that bad.

The goal is to wake up and be on the water. Be able to swim right from the boat and enjoy the sunsets and sunrises just like most of you guys are already doing.





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[nhschneider]

If your primary criteria for choosing a boat is to get from one place to another quickly, then the Baja 38 will probably be OK. For most cruisers, though, a boat represents a series of compromises that each individual prioritizes. For some, the priority is to be able to handle rough weather in stride; for others, the ability to live comfortably on the hook for extended periods of time. The lists go on and on. There is no right answer. However, I know of very few cruisers who would prioritize getting from one place to another quickly. It's kind of the antithesis of cruising in the first place.

Good luck, fair winds and calm seas.

[tuffr2]

I am not really interested that much in going fast. Just that in this kind of boat it is it's nature. I would rather have a sailboat but they cost way too much and a cat is even worse. Plus those boats require way too much 'work' and maintenance. You gotta pay to have them pulled out of the water. The Baja I do it myself. I can also run it myself. I can store the Baja easier.

If I won the lottery I would buy a 50' cat. I take that back. If I won the big lottery I would buy a 50' cat because prices on new cats is a mind boggling 1/2 mil...big $$$

So, as far as sea worthiness, if I was careful, checked the weather etc. a sport boat could work?

Oh...cruising at 35 kts. is about 1/2 speed of these boats. If the seas are smooth I would open it up and run it at $300/hr for 1/4 hr. every now and then.







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[Cheechako]

In general the Baja's I've seen are very nice boats and look to be soundly constructed. Based on apearances alone they are a cut above many of those type. I wont comment on cost of fuel etc. If you can picky your weather windows I imagine it would be fine. Of course a trawler might be safer as are less likely to turn turtle in rough weather. You just need to pick weather windows and plan your fuel stops. There are probably a lot better sites to ask this question than this primarily sailing site though.
AFAIK the Bajas are expensive though... not cheap, the one I looked at was something like 30 ft used , dual diesel engines and about $325,000.

NEVER MIND.. disregard that post. I must have my wires crossed, the Baja I looked at was a Sportfisherman cabin boat... not a long narrow thing. I could swear it was a baja... but I dont see any like it online.

[boatpoker]

It would get awful tiresome having to find fuel every other day and gas in the Caribbean can easily be double the price per gallon that you pay at home. You should also very very adept at re-building carbs as the fuel can be questionable.

If you can afford $1000 for fuel every other day ..... go for it.

[tuffr2]

I might look at trawlers again because they have wonderful living quarters. 2nd to Cats.

But I am leaning toward the Baja. I am warming up to the idea of taking it out of the water when not being used. I already have a big heavy duty dually truck to easily tow it.

Fountain Boats bought Baja Boats. If they got to 300k it has to be the 'new' price in the last few years. I believe Fountain Boats stopped making the Baja brand just a few years ago. The boats I am looking at have an asking price of 45k to 90k used.







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[Cheechako]

I figured it out... I was thinking of Cabo Yachts..... Cabo, Baja, Mezcal, worm... it's all a blurr to me...