1989 Baja Islander 190

Slide behind the wheel and you’ll feel right away why these late-80s Islanders have a cult following. The low-slung helm, deep, secure cockpit, and long foredeck give it that classic performance-boat stance, but it’s still friendly for family duty. The open bow is surprisingly generous for a 19-footer, with enough depth to keep kids feeling secure when the afternoon chop kicks up. Hull lines are pure Baja—sharp entry, flared bow, and that signature sheer that still turns heads at the ramp. With its light use and long indoor hibernation, the gelcoat, hardware, and original character have a time-capsule feel you just don’t find in most boats of this vintage.

This size and style of Baja is tailor-made for the nearby chain of mid-sized, winding lakes. At 19 feet, it’s nimble enough to slip into coves and under smaller bridges, yet heavy and deep-V enough to smooth out busy weekend wakes. The open-bow layout lets your crew spread out on long shoreline cruises, while the punchy sterndrive setup delivers the hole shot you want for tubing and skis on calm morning water. Easy to tow behind a modest vehicle and simple to launch at smaller ramps, the Islander 190 fits perfectly with local lake-hopping, after-work runs, and full-day family outings.