Baja 33 Outlaw

I'm at ease doing 40kt in a production boat; I've driven off-the-rackers to 55kt before without feeling the need to change my diaper, but let me tell you, 65kt is something else again. Oh yeah, especially when you are offshore, flying from crest to crest, in an over-the-counter production boat.

Contained by an Aero drop-down bolster seat, with a CD player linked to a subwoofer pumping out that classic Talking Heads tune, I'm On The Road To Nowhere, I held back the tears as the Baja 33 Outlaw moved past 55kt on the liquid-filled speedo.

I held back the tears thanks entirely to my polarised Maui Jims. Incidentally, the Costa driving goggles with side vents belonged to the importer, but I'm sure he'd throw them in if you're interested.

A terrific grab-it-and-go sportsboat, the Baja 33 Outlaw won me over. It's a boat in which the benchmark 40kt feels totally meek, but 55kt is as comfortable as sitting on the speed limit in a sportscar on a three-lane highway. As for 65kt... Well, I didn't need to change my diaper.

Indeed, the most impressive thing for would-be speedboat buyers is the awesome power remains in check. The hull travels on rails, or at least that's the sensation. It's my guess you'd have to do something pretty stupid to run into trouble. Something stupid? How about starting the twin V-eights right in the middle of lunch at the marina? I got looks of disdain, but even more heads were turning as I careered out through the Gold Coast Seaway.

More importantly, I didn't lose my head while on my flight of fancy. It took all of four minutes to reach Surfers Paradise in seas that weren't quite as smooth as a baby's bum.

The sleek boat offers little wind or water resistance and can maintain a fast clip in more than a mild sea. The fine handling and tracking can be traced back to the so-called True V hull, the set-up of the drives, steering and throttles, and the props.

With 24° of deadrise and the latest MerCruiser performance-geared Bravo One XZ drives, the 33 Outlaw has a low slip factor. The sportsboat makes light work of crossing waves, doesn't launch into the air, and speed isn't lost during hang time. The re-entry is on the cutting edge. You stay dry as a factor of speed as much as anything else.

Offshore the boat imparts the feeling of cleaving the waves rather than running over the top of them. Before long you gain trust and conviction.

Before long, you immerse yourself in the adrenaline-rushing drive.

The steering set-up is something you won't want to let go - it's honeysweet.

ENGINEERED FOR SPEED
Owned by Genmar, parent company of Sea Ray and Boston Whaler, Baja has a longstanding reputation as a performance boatbuilder in the States. The company uses such things as acceleration response forecasts in two-metre seas, impact pressure point predictions and feedback from happy customers to shape its boats.

The Outlaw range starts at 29ft and runs to 40ft. On each model, it seeks a speed advantage via that all-important power-to-weight ratio. The 33 Outlaw weighs 3401kg with twin big-block V-eight MerCruiser motors. The motors account for more than 1000kg between them.

The smooth hull is fashioned from Baltex end-grain balsa coring, with biaxial knit cloth glass which needs little resin. Special I-beam stringers are glassed in for stiffening. The hull is handlaid with reinforcing on the strakes, engine compartment and the keel.

Hull and deck are bonded, screwed and through-bolted. The feeling you get is one of a very stiff boat, with no shuddering or vibration at sea.

From the outside it's apparent a lot of emphasis has gone on styling. The 33 Outlaw had serious eye candy in the form of a Boss graphics pack which includes gelcoat and flashes designed to intimidate, a custom steering wheel, custom dash with Gaffrig gauges and colour-coordinated bezels, and special clip-in carpet and groovy upholstery.

A few options were thrown in for good measure: a performance exhaust with a Corsa Quick and Quiet Plus system for muffling the motors at the marina. While it surely works, nothing can hide the fact there are two V-eights aboard. Especially if I warm 'em up.

There was a low-water pick-up for the XZ drives, Keikaefer race controls and K-planes (oversize tabs) with sight indicators, and a stunning alloy swim platform which sets the boat off. Optional push-button hydraulics were added to the engine box, which lifts to reveal enough chrome to shave by.

An optional engine freshwater flush system was added, along with a transom shower, toilet upgrade, triple bolster rear bench seat, stereo and bigger motors. The base 33 Outlaw comes with twin 310hp engines, whereas we had twin 470hp Mercs. Go the bigger motors.

A SOCIAL LAYOUT
Of course, it's imperative that a high-speed offshore runner has a well-planned cockpit free from sharp edges, with seating that keeps you contained, sufficient handrails for security, some kind of windbreaking devices, low internal noise and so on.

It goes without saying the 33 Outlaw had all this in a beautifully moulded package.

Passenger capacity is listed as eight, with safe seats for five for high-speed work. A lot of nice touches are included in the deck, such as chrome-brass T-bar handholds alongside the rear bolster lounge. Guests will white-knuckle these.

The spacious cockpit has fully-lined sidepockets with drinkholders, a moulded wind deflector, grabrails on the back of the skipper and copilot seats, prestretched vinyl upholstery and a low-profile bowrail. The optional hot-cold deck shower works off a heat exchanger.

For all that is comfortable about the cockpit, the 33 Outlaw isn't just a point-and-shoot dayboat. You could get in a lot of trouble in the cabin, which includes comfortable overnighting facilities for a couple and two extra berths if needs be.

A privacy curtain separates the forward V-berth from the two single berth-cum-lounges near the companionway. There is a head in a lock-up moulded compartment, storage for the Bond Street suit in two hanging lockers, plus side shelves for personals like a shaver.

The compact galley has a sink and fridge and optional microwave. The floor is fully carpeted, the lounges and berths finished with terrycloth slipcovers, and scatter cushions have been used to good effect. Twin hatches let in fresh air, while the downlights are kind of sexy.

FAST FIX
So what do you do with a boat like this? For starters, it's a quick fix for adrenaline junkies. You can blow yourself or your guests away in half the time. That private beach, neighbouring port, or waterfront restaurant is just an eye-watering plunge away.

You could run to a waterfront digs, kick your heels up, then camp aboard till morning calls. It is not a homebody's boat, but a performance craft for sports buffs with a comfortable bed to boot.

It's my guess that young professionals - those for whom the Scarabs were everything - will love the Baja 33 Outlaw. Yet it is a lot more sophisticated than many petrol-swilling sportsboats. Just don't count on cafe-racer economy.

While underfloor fuel capacity is 700.3lt - you need to add some jungle juice to boost the octane level - the twin 8.2lt V-eights aren't known for being frugal. And with such impressive performance on tap, it's unlikely you'll ease off the throttles.

At around 40kt, the boat's range is in the order of 200nm. Top end is around 70kt and, as I've alluded to, almost anyone can find it. Problem is, once you find it, there's no turning back. Suddenly 70kt becomes the benchmark.

Base price for the 33 Outlaw was $225,000 with twin 385hp 454 MerCruisers. As tested here, with all the cool gear, it was selling in the order of $350,000.

It's not cheap but it makes a statement, gives thrills without spills, and might just find a home in big city like Sydney. I guess the only thing to look out for in the 33 Outlaw is the sheriff.

HIGHS

LOWS