Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 boat specs
Baja Marine
Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004
2004
View full specs →
VS
Baja Marine 26 Outlaw  2009 boat specs
Baja Marine
Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 2009
2009
View full specs →

Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 vs Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 vs Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 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 26 Outlaw 2009 tops out at 600 hp. Engine specs for the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 2009 carries 101 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004. 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 Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 2009 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeBaja Marine
MakeBaja Marine
Model242 Islander
Model26 Outlaw
Model Year2004
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches1
Deadrise24℃
Deadrise24℃
Weight - Detail4,400 lbs
Weight - Detail4,800 lbs. (2,177 kg)
Weight - kg1995.8
Weight - kg2177.24
Weight - lbs.44
Weight - lbs.48
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 0 in. (7.92 m)
Length overall - Meters7.37
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Inches29
Length overall - Inches312
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (96.52 cm)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches38
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters7.92
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet26
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 8 in. (8.43 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail101 gal. (382.3 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83
Fuel tank capacity - Liters382.33
Fuel tank capacity - Gal8
Fuel tank capacity - Gal101
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? 496 Magnum/375 hp/Bravo I
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Engine maxnot available
Engine max600 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people8 Passenger
Maximum people6
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity3
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee

Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 vs Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 or the Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 2009?
For trailering, the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 48 lbs for the Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 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.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 2009 has a documented max rating of 600 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 26 Outlaw 2009 is certified for 6. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 or the Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 2009?
The Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 2009 has the bigger tank at 101 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004. That 93-gallon difference translates to roughly 279–465 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and the Baja Marine 26 Outlaw 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.