 To an owner of a Baja Marine boat, it’s not just a boat. It’s a lifestyle. The Ohio-based manufacturer markets their high-performance racing watercraft and family-friendly sport boats as having “head-turning style and adrenaline-pumping speed.” And with names like “Outlaw” and “Islander” you can see why theirs is not just another dinghy on the water.
Founded in 1971, the company manufactures a wide range of boats, from 20 to 40 foot hulls. Depending on the size, it can take anywhere from one to three weeks to create one of their lightning-fast crafts.
Construction begins as liquid fiberglass is poured into a mold to create the hull of the boat. Since the design of the hull dictates how the boat moves through the water, Baja employs a team of expert engineers to formulate the perfect relationship between horsepower, weight and drag. The designs ensure superior performance, along with safety and durability.
 After allowing around 45 minutes for the material to cure, the mold must be flipped. It’s easy to imagine that with its large size, flipping a 40-foot version is no simple task. To make the job easier, Matt Pearson, a process engineer at Baja, purchased a Thern pneumatic power winch.
Working with a local distributor, Pearson found model 4771PN to be the ideal winch for his particular application. With machine cut gears in an enclosed oil bath, the winch is build to last – allowing Baja to properly mold plenty of boats. Additionally, the winch is constructed out of cast aluminum for lightweight strength and features an internal mechanical brake for positive load control and ball bearings for smooth and efficient operation. And with its 2000 pound lifting capacity, it was an easy selection for it’s mold-turning duty.
Before installing the winch, the company employed simple manpower to turn the mold. “We went from three to five people manually flipping a mold to one person simply operating the hydraulic controls,” commented Pearson who oversees the production.
Along with its dedication to constructing safe watercraft, the company also concentrates on the safety of its employees – something the Thern winch is also helping with. Manually flipping the boat mold invites opportunities for injuries such as back or knee strains. Says Pearson, “the winch has really reduced any safety concerns.” And with it’s workers safe, Baja Marine can continue building their distinctively styled and world-class boats, leaving boat owners rest assured their power-hungry, speed-seeking lifestyle will continue for years to come.
Thern, Inc. is a major designer and manufacturer of winches, cranes and hoists for virtually unlimited industrial applications. Founded in 1948, Thern is headquartered in Winona, Minn. and markets its products worldwide.
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