Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 vs Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 or the Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009?

For trailering, the Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 44 lbs for the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004. 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.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 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.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 share an 8 ft. 6 in 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.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 8 gallons and 8 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and the Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 are built by Baja Marine. 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.

Boat Comparison

Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 vs Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009

Baja Marine

Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004

2004

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Baja Marine

Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 vs Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 vs Baja Marine 247 Islander 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 Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 tops out at 425 hp. Engine specs for the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 8 gal and 8 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 Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 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

MakeBaja Marine

Model242 Islander

Model247 Islander

Model Year2004

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise24℃

Deadrise23℃

Weight - Detail4,400 lbs

Weight - Detail4,300 lbs. (1,950 kg)

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - lbs.44

Weight - lbs.43

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 5 in. (7.44 m)

Length overall - Meters7.37

Length overall - Meters7.44

Length overall - Inches29

Length overall - Inches293

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86.36 cm)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches34

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.44

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (302.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMerCruiser? 350 Mag/Bravo I/300 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeInboard

Engine maxnot available

Engine max425 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people8 Passenger

Maximum people8

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 vs Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 or the Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009?

For trailering, the Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 44 lbs for the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004. 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 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 Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 share an 8 ft. 6 in 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 Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 8 gallons and 8 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and the Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 are built by Baja Marine. 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.

← Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 full specs ← Baja Marine 247 Islander 2009 full specs