Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998 boat specs
Baha Cruisers
Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998
1998
View full specs →
VS
Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009 boat specs
Baha Cruisers
Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009
2009
View full specs →

Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998 vs Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998 vs Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 310 hp, the Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998 has a 85-hp advantage over the Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009's 225-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009 carries 244 gallons versus 9 gallons in the Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 30,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail28.00 ft
Length overall - Detail30 ft. 0 in
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet30
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters9.14
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches36
Beamnot available
Beam10 ft. 6 in
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters3.2
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches126
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise15℃
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail8,000 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg3628.74
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.8
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal244
Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69
Fuel tank capacity - Liters923.64
Engine makeMercruiser
Engine makenot available
Horsepower310 hp
Horsepowernot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeinboard
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail244 gal
Engine maxnot available
Engine max225 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity25
Water capacity30 gal
Holding tank capacity - Gal4
Holding tank capacity - Gal16
Holding tank capacity - Liters151.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters60.57
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail16 gal
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeBaha Cruisers
Modelnot available
Model300 GLE OB
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2009
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998 vs Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998 or the Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009?
The Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009 is the longer of the two at 30,0 feet overall. The Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998 is rated to a maximum of 310 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009 tops out at 225 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009 is certified for 9. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998 or the Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009?
The Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009 has the bigger tank at 244 gallons, versus 9 gallons on the Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998. That 235-gallon difference translates to roughly 705–1175 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998 and Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Baha Cruisers 278 Fisherman 1998 and the Baha Cruisers 300 GLE OB 2009 are built by Baha Cruisers. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.