1986 Baja Sport 220 project

[skirtchaser]

Hi all new to this forum. Wanted to share my winter project with you guys and pick up some pointers along the way.I am totally excited aboat this project this style boat brings me back to the good old days the boat is a 1986 Baja 220 sport with a 260 mercruiser l. Gonna try to get some pics up.

[skirtchaser]

263326263327 Bought the boat running but with a vibration in the motor with the intensions of doing a motor build anyways. Full interior is being done now. I will post pics as that progresses. I have about 5 hours with a buffer and an oxidation remover compound.

[skirtchaser]

263331263332263333263334263335Couple more pics kinda where I'm at today also some pics of the new interior design.

[Velocity72]

Almost bought one of these once. I had an '89 210 SunSport years ago and always enjoyed it. The 220 has a timeless style in my view. Most of them with the small blocks ran right around 60. Nice project.

[GrumpyGoat]

Just purchased an 85' 220 with the 260 Merc. Similar project plus floor replacement :/. Very curious to see how your interior turns out. Good luck to you!

[282]

Always liked the look of that boat also! Good luck

[skirtchaser]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I got some more work done wich included the purchase of a brand new set of Chevy performance vortec heads and a edlebrock air gap manifold.

[skirtchaser]

264141264140 Couple more pics.

[MODVP22]

I know a few people here that have that exact boat. To get it to run they had to put a shorter drive and more power behind it. They ran well with a bracket and V8 OMC as well

[looper300]

very true i have the same exact boat 1989 220 sport kevlar with a 4.0 v8 ona gill bracket boats an animal great rough water boat i see 79-81 depending on conditions but will run 75 alll day with a full boat boat very good hull and a head turner!
http://www.towboatphoto.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=696866&g2_serialNumber=2

[skirtchaser]

Those are some very encouraging numbers Looper I am very interested to see how this handles the chop.Interior is comming along ok the carpet is in and some of the woodwork seat boxes side panels and stuff.I'm at the point where the engine is about to go to my builder I have been trying to figure what comp ratio I should run the boat weighs 1900 lbs acording to nada And from what Ive read it seems like everyone is running 8.5-9 should I play it safe or run a 9.5-10.1 motor?I wouldnt think of doing it if I was pushing around another 1000-1500lbs.The build is going to be a 355 vortec heads flat tappet cam with roller rocker air gap manifold new holley carb I am thinking 600cfm.

[skirtchaser]

Any small block guys out there?

[fast fun 2]

Call Jason at Performance Marine/Saris Racing Engines in Lake George, not far from you and the best int he business.
518-644-3080

[magnum2.5]

here are some pic's of a 21' BAJA I had for awhile, had a 300GT JOHNSON V/8 offshore motor, ran a 28 RAKER mid 70's...had more in it though...went to the BAHAMAS, cool lookin boat...265276265277265278265279265280

[Capt.Insane-o]

Bravo I hope.

[mrtlbeez]

If it was my boat and you're thinking of building a stroker motor for it I would build at least a 406. Remember, there is no substitute for cubic inches.

[skirtchaser]

I know a 383 would be great But I am working with a alpha drive so I didn't want to push my luck too much. I spoke with a couple guys and it looks like it's gonna be 9.5 .

[Capt.Insane-o]

ugh...300hp at the very most, and no lumpy dumpy cam. I've scored huge on bravo assemblies on craigslist and e-bay over the past couple years.

[skirtchaser]

265355265356265357Progress on the interior!

[skirtchaser]

Capt insano its gonna be a mild build mild marine cam 325-335hp.I know my drive is gonna be my achiles heel so I am planning on putting a Bravo on it but it probably be in summer of 2014 so for now I'll pup it. Iv'e read some guy's have had good luck with drive showers and synthetic oil.

[b0atguy]

Some of the early Bravo's had issues so be careful with the late 80's / early 90's versions unless they have been updated. I have blown early bravos with stock BB power.
Put a drive shower on that alpha and it should last a little longer for you.

b0atguy

[MODVP22]

I know a 383 would be great But I am working with a alpha drive so I didn't want to push my luck too much. I spoke with a couple guys and it looks like it's gonna be 9.5 .

My neighbor had the same boat with a 454 and an Alpha...course it was a turd...now he's got a Bravo 1 and a built 454

[Phillip Mason]

Hey guys , I just saw this post. Boat looks like its coming together great! I'm looking at an outboard version of the same boat, anything I should look out for?

[XT-Innovator]

Skirt, This post makes me want to get started on my 86' 220 Sport project. Both me and my brother purchased 86' 220's with stock 260's this past summer. His is pretty much turn key condition, and mine seemed to run ok and I took it on a houseboat trip this summer, but it needs soft flooring and paint work bad. I worked in the engineering dept. at Baja for over 24 years, and my partner designed Baja interiors from 88' to 2008 when Baja closed in Ohio. Let me know what we can do for you on the interior, canvas, or OEM parts.

www.xt-innovations.com (http://www.xt-innovations.com)

XT

[MODVP22]

Skirt, This post makes me want to get started on my 86' 220 Sport project. Both me and my brother purchased 86' 220's with stock 260's this past summer. His is pretty much turn key condition, and mine seemed to run ok and I took it on a houseboat trip this summer, but it needs soft flooring and paint work bad. I worked in the engineering dept. at Baja for over 24 years, and my partner designed Baja interiors from 88' to 2008 when Baja closed in Ohio. Let me know what we can do for you on the interior, canvas, or OEM parts.


www.xt-innovations.com (http://www.xt-innovations.com)

XT

there's a 220 that runs on the Ohio river by me that is almost the identical colors. A good friend of mine and also member on the boards here had also worked at Baja when they closed up in 2008

[XT-Innovator]

there's a 220 that runs on the Ohio river by me that is almost the identical colors. A good friend of mine and also member on the boards here had also worked at Baja when they closed up in 2008

Well he will know who Dave, Lane, Bev, and Rusty is from PD&E. I spend allot of time over on OSO, but I need to get on here more often and post some of our projects. Sorry, for the hijack on the 220 Sport. Any updated photos?

Dave

[skirtchaser]

Thank you for all the comments guys.I have some updated pics. Hope you enjoy them.272078272079272080

[skirtchaser]

Couple more of the interior The interior was inspired by a 1983 Checkmate Enchanter . my son actually made those drawings that a local upholstery shop. I think they really nailed what I was looking for.272081272082272083272084

[skirtchaser]

Here are a couple shots of the Cockpit cover.272085272086

[skirtchaser]

Motor is not in it yet waiting for it to get back from my friends house who is building it. Decided to go with a 355 balanced rotating assymbley roller motor.Ran into a small issue with the heads (clearance issues) waiting for them to get back from the machine shop.272087272088 Just mocked up here for the pic.

[Brabender]

Sweet:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[GrumpyGoat]

Absolutely beautiful, sir. They definitely nailed it.

[XT-Innovator]

Absolutely beautiful, sir. They definitely nailed it.

+1

We should start a 220 Sport club! Need a set of Livorsi gauges now. I love the grant GT wheel, and I have a set of Blue Gaffrig gauges, but I see you deleted the blue in the interior.

XT

[skirtchaser]

Xt I agree! Not to many of these around. I think you should start yours.Those gauges wound be awsome but I was thinking chome or brushed aluminum

[XT-Innovator]

Xt I agree! Not to many of these around. I think you should start yours.Those gauges wound be awsome but I was thinking chome or brushed aluminum

Get the Livorsi platinum face with chrome super bezels! You can add trim rings to them also. I used these in my Baja 184 SS.

XT

[skirtchaser]

XT Those gauges look awsome. Do you happen to know the deadrise on this boat?I have done some research but no difinitave answers.

[XT-Innovator]

XT Those gauges look awsome. Do you happen to know the deadrise on this boat?I have done some research but no difinitave answers.

YEA, it is 15 degree. Same bottom was used for the Bandit hull plug, but the strakes were changed. Not a wave crusher, but faster than most 22 footers with small block power.

XT

[XT-Innovator]

We just modified a Checkmate 2400 wake tower to fit a customers older Baja 196 Sunsport and I just had to see how it looked sitting on my 220. Not to shabby! Comments anyone? I can do it for less than most new custom fit towers.

XT

[skatermike24]

Awesome looking boat , always loved the 220 and the 240.

[JohnR]

Nice boat but a wake tower has no place on a performance boat in my opinion.

[rockyone]

Nice boat but a wake tower has no place on a performance boat in my opinion.
:iagree: Thats like puting ground effex on a 70 SS chevelle !

[XT-Innovator]

Installed the tower on a customers Baja 196 Sunsport and it looked pretty good!

XT

[JohnR]

A wise man once said that beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

[MODVP22]

We just modified a Checkmate 2400 wake tower to fit a customers older Baja 196 Sunsport and I just had to see how it looked sitting on my 220. Not to shabby! Comments anyone? I can do it for less than most new custom fit towers.

XT

Is the windshield going back on it?

[XT-Innovator]

Is the windshield going back on it?

Yes, re-powder coating the frame and tinting the glass now.

[skirtchaser]

299195

[skirtchaser]

299197

[skirtchaser]

299198

[skirtchaser]

299289

[MODVP22]

how's it run with that Alpha One on it? My neigbor upgraded his to a Bravo 1 and so far loves it.

[skirtchaser]

So far it's been really strong I currently have 45 hrs on the motor and I have dropped the oil twice and it's clean.

[rockyone]

So far it's been really strong I currently have 45 hrs on the motor and I have dropped the oil twice and it's clean.
Bring that thing up to sacandaga this weekend were having a little romp, BTW looks great!

[skirtchaser]

Was planning on going looks like it's going to be a great day. What's going on up there?

[skirtchaser]

Another shot at the Scotia Landing.299326299327

[rockyone]

Was planning on going looks like it's going to be a great day. What's going on up there?

Check out june 5-8 in the upcoming events about 30 hot boats hanging around Northampton state camp sites!

[glhs]

here is my 220 sport picked it up 2 weeks ago 308083

[glhs]

here is another picture308084 I really like this boat

[Velocity72]

Very nice. I like the new graphics. Is that paint on the hull with vinyl graphics, or a full wrap?

What year and what motor is in it?

[glhs]

thank you
it's paint
Its 87 with a 5.7 tempest 300 all stock boat is in great condition and looks to have had very little use

[Velocity72]

Great find. I'm guessing low to mid 60's?

[looper300]

308154

Some 220 sport action in the offshore racing circuit!!!

[MODVP22]

308154

Some 220 sport action in the offshore racing circuit!!!

back when those boats were new, some real mean ones were rigged with a Gil bracket and 3.6 V8

[Wildman78]

Another shot at the Scotia Landing.299326299327

That's sweet. You are local to me also.

[skirtchaser]

August 2016 and still going!351881

[skirtchaser]

A shout out to Dave at Xt innovation. For trying to help me find a bow hatch for this boat. I thought we had it licked but ot turns out that they made a few different sizes. Still looking for a boat hatch for this boat!! Thanks Again!

[rockyone]

Was that the island in mosquito bay on sacandaga?

[skirtchaser]

Actually this is mayfield end of the lake,Priddle point.

[MODVP22]

looks good man. XT does great work. They just did an interior for my buddy. How's it run?

Is that a model you hired, or your lady;)

[skirtchaser]

looks good man. XT does great work. They just did an interior for my buddy. How's it run?

Is that a model you hired, or your lady;)



Currently runs low 60'S Currently running stock ignition and exhaust ss prop 21 pitch x 14.8. So there is room for improvement for sure. Hull does great on flat surface to a light chop. :-)

[jamsteel]

Hi Looper, I have a 1986 BAJA 220 sport with a 1986 300 Johnson v8 on a Gil bracket. I bought it with the prop shaft brooken off. I replaced it with a 1 1/4" 19 dpline shaft . i have tried a few different props a 25 mirage + , a 24 pitch Bravo 4 blade. The boat is a real slug getting it out of the water on plain , as the bow starts to come down and starts to plain out it takes off like a rocket, with the bravo it runs a flat 70 MPH on GPS. Any suggestions appreciated. This boat was in storage for 18 years, so its like new. Thanks.