New to me Baker

[mototrig]

Hello- Long time follow of S&F, first time posting. I'm a big fan of the mod VP boats. The boat below isn't my first choice but it's clean and within my price range.

Having said that:
I'm going to look at an '84 non tunnel Baker 20' (not the RST) with an '88 Evinrude 235 next weekend. I've searched and read many tech articles on the 235 but haven't found any info on this hull. If anyone has experience I would greatly appreciate your input on the hull. Particularly how it handles chop and how it handles with a little bit of speed. This will be my family boat for the river. Anything in particular to look for in the motor would be appreciated too. Thank you. Adam

[JBS]

Good quality boats. Good power too. A friend had one back in the day and handled the ICW with no problem.
Check the floor and the transom for rot.
235 were strong motors,just thirsty.

[CUDA]

Should be a good ride, how is transom, stringers? Pretty boat.

Had one those motors a long time, carburetors SUCK

[mototrig]

Great, thank you. What is ICW?
I hear you about carb'd motors and fuel, I'd much rather have an optimax or e-tec. We usually don't just beach somewhere we like to go a lot of different places. we regularly put 100-150 miles on the river in a 3 day weekend. If this 235 is too thirsty it may not be the right boat for me.

[JBS]

ICW is inter-coastal waterway.
235 is not that bad on gas if you don't hammer it,had one on the Allison.

[JBS]

I think the 235 was replaced in early 80s with a 3 liter 225HP,which was a better motor imo.

[mototrig]

I'm usually a ⅔ throttle cruiser. I hammer down once in a while in moderation. I'm usually fuel concious.

[JBS]

Sounds like me in the Triad. Just a real fast river boat.Usually I'm running 35 to 40 most of the time and get decent fuel burn on a 200efi.

[Baker343]

Sounds like me in the Triad. Just a real fast river boat.Usually I'm running 35 to 40 most of the time and get decent fuel burn on a 200efi.

I know a little about the Bakers.
This was my 85 Baker which was a boat show boat and originally came with a 145 Rud when I bought it many years later. It was I very light lay up because you could not be on the deck. I put a 81 225 on it and hurt alot of feelings. In 85 Jerry Baker changed the deck and made the 18.6. In 86 Jerry altered the bottom and cut back the center sponsion about 6 inches for quicker lift for roundy rounds. Your deck was ran until 84 on v-bottoms and Modvp bottoms. Jerry made solid boats and was heavily involved in building and sponsoring racers. I own one of his 18.6 Modvp hulls and a Baker Rampage I race in the Parker Enduro. OMC's are solid motors and when treaded right will give plenty of smiles

[mototrig]

Sounds like me in the Triad. Just a real fast river boat.Usually I'm running 35 to 40 most of the time and get decent fuel burn on a 200efi.

That's basically it for me.

[mototrig]

I know a little about the Bakers.
This was my 85 Baker which was a boat show boat and originally came with a 145 Rud when I bought it many years later. It was I very light lay up because you could not be on the deck. I put a 81 225 on it and hurt alot of feelings. In 85 Jerry Baker changed the deck and made the 18.6. In 86 Jerry altered the bottom and cut back the center sponsion about 6 inches for quicker lift for roundy rounds. Your deck was ran until 84 on v-bottoms and Modvp bottoms. Jerry made solid boats and was heavily involved in building and sponsoring racers. I own one of his 18.6 Modvp hulls and a Baker Rampage I race in the Parker Enduro. OMC's are solid motors and when treaded right will give plenty of smiles

Thanks for the info Baker. Sounds like you have quite a history in Mod VP. Growing up I had a friend who I was always on the water with. One of his boats was a Baker RST with a 2.5 Merc. It was fast, ha raced a lot of people in it. And we ski'd from it just fine.

[racer]

Last year for the 235 was 1985 so engine is not an 88. As for the hull Dad and I built the plug for that boat.

[mototrig]

Last year for the 235 was 1985 so engine is not an 88. As for the hull Dad and I built the plug for that boat.

That's good to know. Maybe he was mistaken.

On another note I grew up down the street from your shop. Dad and I bought all our boat parts from John's. Your SST is my #1.

[Dave S]

That's a real nice classic.......Keep it with the 235.......classic combo......

[Bodhi]

I've had a few v6 evinrudes throughout the years and they aren't exactly the best on fuel, but as long as you prop the boat right for what you'll be needing it'll be fine. That four blade should be a nice family friendly cruiser and will keep the rpms down