Baha Cruisers ?

[fishstick]

Have a 22 islander and seriuosly thinking about getting a new boat. I have seen quite a few Baha Cruisers and they really look nice. Does anyone have one or anyone have any comments regarding this type of boat?

[Nomad]

I just bought one used and can say they seem about as solid as any boat I have been on. I looked at Wellcraft Coastals, Pursuits, Sportcrafts and many others. The picture of mine is under the "removing boat name from fiberglass boat" thread.

This boat weighs 5600lbs dry. Most guys I talked to that have them, like them. Too soon to confirm if I will like it as much as I think I will. Closest dealer I could find was in Port Clinton, OH. A lot of guys on Erie run them.

Nomad

[SalmonBum]

Fishstick,
The boats looks nice, but this is about it. The hulls are know to have problems, especially before 1996. Supposedly that is when they started to straighten up their act. I know many people with one and most all of them had some kind of hull/stringer repair. Baha's are all over the internet used, and there's a reason a $90,000 27 ft boat new is only worth $30,000 (or less) after only 3 yrs. After that, they are soaked. It's too bad, they are great looking boats. Most of them bought are cause it's a "Showroom boat", but not much of a quality boat. I would stay away from them Bill. Get with me and we will go over your needs and I'll help you find something.

[Nomad]

I talked to number of surveyers who regularly do surveys on them and was told the incidence of stringer problems was no higher than other boats of the same year. I had to call surveyers in Ohio and SE Michigan to find surveyers who encounter these boats on a regular basis.

Only time will tell how any boat will hold up but the one I bought passed the survey with excellent results including a thorough check of the stringers. Get as many opionions as you can and not just from guys who own them. My 2 cents. Good luck in your search.

Nomad

[fishstick]

Thanks for all the replies. The thing I like about the the boat is the deep gunwales, and large cockpit enclosures. I have looked at several hard top boats and that one seems to have alot of room under the "top". I guess I spoiled with my islander, not a hard top but it seems like I have alot of space under the "top". Any suggestions on other models with hard top room would be gratly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill