Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 boat specs
Baha Cruisers
Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009
2009
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VS
Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 boat specs
Baha Cruisers
Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010
2010
View full specs →

Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 vs Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 — A Close Look at Two Deep Vees

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 and the Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 at 29,5 ft versus Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 at 29,5 ft. At 88 lbs and 85 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 225 hp for the Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 and 225 hp for the Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 23 gal and 23 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 8 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 and Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.
General Boat Info
MakeBaha Cruisers
MakeBaha Cruisers
Model296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition
Model296 King Cats
Model Year2009
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft
Beam9 ft
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches108
Deadrise25°
Deadrise25°
Weight - Detail8,800 lbs
Weight - Detail8,500 lbs
Weight - kg3991.61
Weight - kg3855.53
Weight - lbs.88
Weight - lbs.85
Length - Feet29.5
Length - Feet29.5
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches354
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail230 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail230 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters870.64
Fuel tank capacity - Liters870.64
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Engine max225 hp
Engine max225 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal
Water capacity20 gal
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Gal2
Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 vs Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 or the Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010?
The Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 is the longer of the two at 29,5 feet overall. The Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 comes in at 29,5 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 or the Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010?
For trailering, the Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 has the edge at 85 lbs dry weight versus 88 lbs for the Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 is certified for 8. 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.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 and Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 share an 9 ft beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 and Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 23 gallons and 23 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 and Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Baha Cruisers 296 Catamaran - Tournament Edition 2009 and the Baha Cruisers 296 King Cats 2010 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.