Sea Ray to unveil new Pachanga!

[theinterceptor]

The rumors are true! I have confirmed with my source at Sea Ray that a new 22' Pachanga is already in the works. The hull is complete but work continues on the deck. It will look somewhat different than past models. When will it be done? No confirmed dates have been announced.

 

[Dave S]

That's good news. I am looking foward to seeing it.

 

[Tristar Racing]

Work continues on the deck? I think the boat is further along than that. I have been told it hit 74 mph during testing (no clue on the rigging) and that it will be available with a 50th anniversary package; including a red hull with white graphics.

I have unconfirmed info that says the boat will be an extremely limited run, but with Brunswick hurting as much as it is right now, I think they will build as many as they can sell.

It will be officially announced at a Sea Ray meeting (dealer event?) in September.

 

[Bridog]

Just curious. Was the Pachanga a successful boat for SR? I wonder if they are going into this as a result of Brunswick selling the Baha line to Fountain?

 

[Tristar Racing]

Just curious. Was the Pachanga a successful boat for SR? I wonder if they are going into this as a result of Brunswick selling the Baha line to Fountain?

Im not sure how successful the line was, its more of a halo boat for Sea Ray; a fun project for the engineers to design something that gets people in the showrooms to see it. They might not buy a Pachanga, but they might see another boat at the dealer that they end up buying.

This was the idea behind the Viper for Chrysler in the early '90s.

It does seem like odd timing, Brunswick bought Baja and he Pachanga went away. They "sell" Baja, and it comes back. Brunswick more or less forced Fountain to take Baja by the way. Complicated story.

The 22 Pachanga has a decent following still; almost 20 years later and good examples still sell for over $20,000.

 

[theinterceptor]

Work continues on the deck? I think the boat is further along than that. I have been told it hit 74 mph during testing (no clue on the rigging) and that it will be available with a 50th anniversary package; including a red hull with white graphics.

I have unconfirmed info that says the boat will be an extremely limited run, but with Brunswick hurting as much as it is right now, I think they will build as many as they can sell.

It will be officially announced at a Sea Ray meeting (dealer event?) in September.

It sounds like you're speculating here with phrases like "I think" and "unconfirmed info". Anyway, re-read my post. I'll stand by my SR source. Besides, Fountain's troubles (which I outline below) and the sale of Baja assets didn't occur until March '08 so it seems unlikely that the Pachanga could be as far along as you suggest.

Anyway, follow along and you will see that we can thank good ol' Reg for the return of the Pachanga.

Without getting into all the details, Fountain was in danger of default with regard to a certain financial agreement with their lender. Keeping in mind who bailed Reg out the last time, (he now only owns 51.6% of Fountain), Brunswick rides to the rescue by offering the assets of Baja to induce Fountain's lender to execute a waiver which temporarily, suspends action against Fountain and also protects Brunswick's interest in the Fountain company. We have however, not heard the end of this story as the waiver expires on September 30, 2008, whereupon, Fountain will be back in the same...uhm... boat! :grin:

Now then, with Baja by Fountian, Inc., as the new company is called, far removed from Brunswick and SR, the new Pachanga fills the void left by Baja for a high performance sport boat.

 

[Tristar Racing]

It sounds like you're speculating here with phrases like "I think" and "unconfirmed info". Anyway, re-read my post. I'll stand by my SR source. Besides, Fountain's troubles (which I outline below) and the sale of Baja assets didn't occur until March '08 so it seems unlikely that the Pachanga could be as far along as you suggest.

Anyway, follow along and you will see that we can thank good ol' Reg for the return of the Pachanga.

Without getting into all the details, Fountain was in danger of default with regard to a certain financial agreement with their lender. Keeping in mind who bailed Reg out the last time, (he now only owns 51.6% of Fountain), Brunswick rides to the rescue by offering the assets of Baja to induce Fountain's lender to execute a waiver which temporarily, suspends action against Fountain and also protects Brunswick's interest in the Fountain company. We have however, not heard the end of this story as the waiver expires on September 30, 2008, whereupon, Fountain will be back in the same...uhm... boat! :grin:

Now then, with Baja by Fountian, Inc., as the new company is called, far removed from Brunswick and SR, the new Pachanga fills the void left by Baja for a high performance sport boat.

No no no, the only unconfirmed part was limited production status. My SR source gave testing data and info, which to me sounds like the top of the deck is close to done, if not done already.

This boat was in development before the sale of Baja went through, for the record. I was told some design had been done a number of times on a future Pachanga, only to have Sea Ray pull the plug for one reason or another. (it was a real bummer to get excited after being told Pachanga would come back, only to hear a month or so later the project was shelved) According to what I have heard, they are re-using some of these "thrown away" design elements. Also, yes Baja was sold to Fountain, but in reality Brunswick leveraged its previous bail-out of Fountain to stick them with Baja. Brunswick was trying to trim its boating group.

Either way, exciting time for Pachanga fans; hard to believe considering the awful boat market for even Sea Ray. Come the end of August/September, the speculation will be over. I will not be completely convinced though until I see a Pachanga at a dealership.

Keep me updated with your info, Ill let you know what I hear from mine. Im pressing hard for a side profile sketch from the inside. We shall see how that goes.

 

[theinterceptor]

Is your source based in Knoxsville or elsewhere? Anyway, let's not split hairs over the details! Like Dave S. says...it's good news!

I think the Sea Ray people have always been gung-ho on the idea only to have Brunswick put the ca-bosh on it, until now. Even so, it is a very risky move given current economic conditions. Also, I don't see any signs that the preference for open bows and fishboats by the boating public has waned in favor of closed bow sport boats. I had a Scarab a while back and boy, was I peeved when Wellcraft (Genmar) discontinued the closed bow models back in '02. Of course, I understood that it was a good business decision for them at the time.

Personally, I like having a rare boat. The fact that the early 69-71 Pachangas didn't sell well when new helps add to their rarity (consider the C.C. Cobra). As I've said on my website, having an early Pachanga is quite a boating experience! I recently emailed another early Pachanga owner to tell him about the new Pachanga. His response was,

"No new Pachanga can compare to the original!"

We shall see. But then again, how do you compare old school to new school?

 

[theinterceptor]

Also, I forgot to mention something. On the face of this deal, it appears that Fountain needed this deal done more than Brunswick. Keep in mind, it was for Baja assets only. The factory in Ohio goes bye-bye at Brunswick's expense. The sale of Baja assets to Fountain were needed to boost Fountain's net worth and to induce the lender to re-negociate the original agreements, execute the waiver, etc. Without the Fountain aspect I would think Brunswick would rather sell the entire company lock stock and barrel.

 

[Tristar Racing]

Is your source based in Knoxsville or elsewhere? Anyway, let's not split hairs over the details! Like Dave S. says...it's good news!

I think the Sea Ray people have always been gung-ho on the idea only to have Brunswick put the ca-bosh on it, until now. Even so, it is a very risky move given current economic conditions. Also, I don't see any signs that the preference for open bows and fishboats by the boating public has waned in favor of closed bow sport boats. I had a Scarab a while back and boy, was I peeved when Wellcraft (Genmar) discontinued the closed bow models back in '02. Of course, I understood that it was a good business decision for them at the time.

Personally, I like having a rare boat. The fact that the early 69-71 Pachangas didn't sell well when new helps add to their rarity (consider the C.C. Cobra). As I've said on my website, having an early Pachanga is quite a boating experience! I recently emailed another early Pachanga owner to tell him about the new Pachanga. His response was,

"No new Pachanga can compare to the original!"

We shall see. But then again, how do you compare old school to new school?

Agreed, I wasnt trying to argue, more of comparing info than anything. My source is elsewhere internally in Sea Ray, not at Knoxville, which might explain the different info. Just trying to get all the info I have to Pachanga fans.

I wouldnt mind a rare boat, but rare = more cost. Im on a bit of a budget (relatively speaking, budget and Sea Ray never belong in the same sentence :lol and will be stretching a bit for a new Pachanga, but its a promise I made to myself in the 80s that I would own one if they ever made one again.

Comparing old to new is difficult, Im just hoping this new boat encompasses all of what the old 22 was.

Also, I forgot to mention something. On the face of this deal, it appears that Fountain needed this deal done more than Brunswick. Keep in mind, it was for Baja assets only. The factory in Ohio goes bye-bye at Brunswick's expense. The sale of Baja assets to Fountain were needed to boost Fountain's net worth and to induce the lender to re-negociate the original agreements, execute the waiver, etc. Without the Fountain aspect I would think Brunswick would rather sell the entire company lock stock and barrel.

Bruswick must have gotten something for the Ohio factory, because currently they (new group) are refurbishing old boats to customer specs, and getting ready to launch a new company that builds, you guessed it, go fast boats. I guess it never specifically says they will be using the old factory, but who knows.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183608&highlight=faction

 

[theinterceptor]

Bruswick must have gotten something for the Ohio factory, because currently they (new group) are refurbishing old boats to customer specs, and getting ready to launch a new company that builds, you guessed it, go fast boats. I guess it never specifically says they will be using the old factory, but who knows.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183608&highlight=faction

That Faction thing may be nothing more than hot air. Supposedly, Dave Olsen (former President of Baja) and other unidentified ex-Baja employees were going to start the Faction boat company. According to rumor, they were going to knock off the Spiderman boat. Gee, what a novel idea...knock off someone else's old race boat!

However, if you follow the above thread to the last page it appears to be dead in the water with quite a few non-believers posting their thoughts (and re-naming it "Fiction Boats"). Try to do a Google search for "Faction Boats" and Google's response is..."You can't be serious?" :grin:

All kidding aside, there's no indication that Brunswick has anything to do with this nonsense.

Either way, exciting time for Pachanga fans; hard to believe considering the awful boat market for even Sea Ray. Come the end of August/September, the speculation will be over. I will not be completely convinced though until I see a Pachanga at a dealership.

Keep me updated with your info, Ill let you know what I hear from mine. Im pressing hard for a side profile sketch from the inside. We shall see how that goes.

Ok, sounds like a plan!

 

[theinterceptor]

...I wouldnt mind a rare boat, but rare = more cost. Im on a bit of a budget (relatively speaking, budget and Sea Ray never belong in the same sentence :lol and will be stretching a bit for a new Pachanga, but its a promise I made to myself in the 80s that I would own one if they ever made one again.

Comparing old to new is difficult, Im just hoping this new boat encompasses all of what the old 22 was.

I look forward to seeing you on the water in your new Pachanga...

old school Pachanga meets new school Pachanga...
...wouldn't that be GREAT? :smt038

 

[Tristar Racing]

Yea, hopefully everyhting works out.

Any news from your sources? Mine has gone quiet. The suspense is killing me, its been building since 1992, haha.

 

[fc3]

The general manager of a Sea Ray dealer once told me that Sea Ray dealers had the same problem with the Pachangas, Ski Rays, and Lagunas. The salesguys could not talk hard-core performance, water sports or fishing with their customers, so they lost a lot of sales to their competition.

I would guess that a small Pachanga, like a 22 footer, isn't going to attract the hard core performance boater, so it'll probably be successful enough. But I'd doubt that Sea Ray will try to enter the over 30' performance market again.

Best regards,
Frank C

 

[Cap10Pat]

Not sure what this thread has to do with "Classic Searays", except that the model name was used long ago. But under that logic you could include anything here.

 

[Tristar Racing]

Not sure what this thread has to do with "Classic Searays", except that the model name was used long ago. But under that logic you could include anything here.

Wow, someone is grumpy. If it bothers you, dont read it.

For anyone who is interested, to get a general idea of the lower half of this boat go to Bajas web site and check out the Hammer X. The hull mold is the same, but the upper deck will be different. Baja did most of the development for the new Pachanga.

 

[theinterceptor]

Yea, hopefully everyhting works out.

Any news from your sources? Mine has gone quiet. The suspense is killing me, its been building since 1992, haha.

No, it is quiet on my end as well. I was at the local Aquapalooza event this weekend

http://www.searaypachanga.com/documents/images_1.html (see video and pictures here)

and not surpisingly, the staff at MarineMax were unaware of it although they did say they would not be surprised given the recent events concerning Baja.

 

[Tristar Racing]

No, it is quiet on my end as well. I was at the local Aquapalooza event this weekend

http://www.searaypachanga.com/documents/images_1.html (see video and pictures here)

and not surpisingly, the staff at MarineMax were unaware of it although they did say they would not be surprised given the recent events concerning Baja.

According to my new friends who are ex-employees at Baja, a copy of the Hammer X mold along with the plug for the deck of the new Pachanga were sent down to a Sea Ray site in Florida. I was told the deck is styled with cues from the 80s Pachanga line. This lines up with what your source said about having to finish the deck mold.

Hopefully, we will hear something official soon. I just heard from another Baja guy that as little as three months ago Sea Ray had no plans for production, bit to me it seems like a lot of work has gone on just to sit on a boat. My only issue thus far is that the new 22' will be a liner boat, meaning no real stringers. The Baja testers assured me though the liner in the Hammer X was well designed, and that I'd give up before the boat did.

Also, the dealer I frequent knows of the Pachanga, they started me on this whole fact finding mission...

I like the additions to the web site! That blue P22 was redone very nicely.

 

[theinterceptor]

According to my new friends who are ex-employees at Baja, a copy of the Hammer X mold along with the plug for the deck of the new Pachanga were sent down to a Sea Ray site in Florida. I was told the deck is styled with cues from the 80s Pachanga line. This lines up with what your source said about having to finish the deck mold.

Hopefully, we will hear something official soon. I just heard from another Baja guy that as little as three months ago Sea Ray had no plans for production, bit to me it seems like a lot of work has gone on just to sit on a boat. My only issue thus far is that the new 22' will be a liner boat, meaning no real stringers. The Baja testers assured me though the liner in the Hammer X was well designed, and that I'd give up before the boat did.

Also, the dealer I frequent knows of the Pachanga, they started me on this whole fact finding mission...

I like the additions to the web site! That blue P22 was redone very nicely.

Well, I have some more news...

It appears that our sources are both on the same page. I have confirmed with my source that the hull is indeed, the Baja hull. The deck is almost complete and is being worked on, as you alluded to, by Sea Ray's PD&E at Merritt Island, FL.

Here is the clincher...my source also said that the P22 will be built at the Tellico plant in Vonore,TN.

It sure is beginning to sound like a done deal!

 

[Tristar Racing]

Well, I have some more news...

It appears that our sources are both on the same page. I have confirmed with my source that the hull is indeed, the Baja hull. The deck is almost complete and is being worked on, as you alluded to, by Sea Ray's PD&E at Merritt Island, FL.

Here is the clincher...my source also said that the P22 will be built at the Tellico plant in Vonore,TN.

It sure is beginning to sound like a done deal!

Good to hear. Still on time for a late August announcement.

I really hope they dont mess this boat up; from the conversations I had with the Baja guys it seems at least the bottom half was a good design...