Need some advice

**Baja18** · 03-05-2003, 10:54 PM

Hello all, Im new to the forum. I had gotten out of boating for a couple of years (lost last boat to divorce

). Anyway I just picked up a 1975 Baja V1800 with a 1987 Mercury XR2 150. The hull is in really good shape. Im redoing the interior right now, which other than new carpet and a little wood rot on seat frames was also pretty good. What I need advice on is what engine performance mods can I do to this motor? It has a 4" manual jack plate. Also at one time it was set up with a hotfoot and foot trim controls. Those I will have to hook back up. Im also looking for new white faced instruments. So any help on either matter would be very helpful. OK I got my first of many post up, glad to be back on the water

**76baja18ft** · 03-05-2003, 11:10 PM

do you have any pictures?
heres my 1976 model has a 200 evinrude:

**76baja18ft** · 03-05-2003, 11:12 PM

one more. mines an 18 footer too

**Baja18** · 03-05-2003, 11:17 PM

Hey 76, I will try to put some up tomorrow. My interior is diferent than yours. Its got buckets and a stern bench seat. What kind of speed do you get with yours?

**woodco** · 03-05-2003, 11:24 PM

You came to the right place to hang

There is always an
answer here for every question

**76baja18ft** · 03-05-2003, 11:49 PM

this boat originally had barrel seats up front on swivels if i remember right.. and a bench across the back... have thought of changing it back that way.. i bought it from a friend several years ago .. he put the back to back seats in it.. it belonged to another friend of mine in the 80's that the last owner bought it from... i spent many hours in that boat in the 80's... then my friend that had it sold it one winter.. i was ready to kill him.. i really wanted that boat..... then 15 years later its mine... gotta wait for some good things i guess

**outboards4life** · 03-06-2003, 12:07 AM

Hey man welcome to the site. I'm from South Holland. I'm down in Lake Ozark for school. I'll be back home next weeked. 13-16. probably be at Shannons or Kilroys. We will probably be doing a lot of running at Cedar lake this year. New powerhead on the Eliminator. Talk to ya later, Travis

**Scott** · 03-06-2003, 09:09 AM

Howdy there Baja18!

...Got a 77 16.5' myself. 2 years in restoration and will be ready for water this spring. EVERYTHING is new from West Marine, Eddie Marine and Boat US.
We put buckets up front and a bench in the back. (Actually other bucket won't be in for a couple more days) Here's a couple pics.
Keep us posted on yer progress!

**Scott** · 03-06-2003, 09:11 AM

int.

**sho305** · 03-06-2003, 10:47 AM

Welcome to the board! I have a 17' Checkmate that is very close to the Baja. You may want to ask about the motor mods in the tech threads, or look them over as there is a lot in there. Start with a good SS prop if you don't have one. I have new Teleflex white gauges in mine and they work great. They are nothing special, but the $$$ is not bad for them.

Hey Scott, did you buy those seats or have they been redone? I have been thinking of just getting new plastic framed ones(non-wood anyway) but wonder about the bench matching of course. My original bench is trash, and the swivel buckes are ok and glass, but would need custom covers made. Like the way you have gone there.

I also have some little seats in the bow.

**Baja18** · 03-06-2003, 07:05 PM

Thanks for the welcome all!! Scott your project looks awsome! Alot of hard work there. What are you powering it with? And sho305 where did you find you Teleflex gauges at? The XR2 has a quicksilver ss prop. I will try a post on the tech threads for mods. After my wife gets home I will have her help me post some pics. She's better at that stuff than me. As the boat stands does anyone have any idea what kind of speed Im lookin at? Once again thanks for the welcome

**outboards4life** · 03-06-2003, 08:21 PM

Send me an email. If i have time I'll stop by and see what you got. I'll try to help you out any way I can. Let me know if I could help ya. Travis drivintrav@yahoo.com

**Barefoot Bob** · 03-06-2003, 09:54 PM

Gotta love them old Baja's

Scott? Are you ready to hang the motor yet?

**sho305** · 03-06-2003, 11:06 PM

Think I got mine at a West Marine store on sale about this time of year. I have found a little better deals on the net referred from here, or on here in the sale threads sometimes.

I run a Laser II prop on my Checkmate, it has lots of bow-lift that it needs. Not sure if the Bajas like them like the Checkmates do, but you will find out here.

Mine is a bowrider too.