Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 vs Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 or the Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006?

For trailering, the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 82 lbs for the Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006 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 342 Performance 2006 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 or the Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006?

The Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006 has the bigger tank at 185 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004. That 177-gallon difference translates to roughly 531–885 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and the Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006 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 342 Performance 2006

Baja Marine

Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004

2004

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Baja Marine

Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 vs Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 vs Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006 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.

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 342 Performance 2006 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

Model342 Performance

Model Year2004

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise24℃

Weight - Detail4,400 lbs

Weight - Detail8,200 lbs. (3,719.5 kg)

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg3719.45

Weight - lbs.44

Weight - lbs.82

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Detail34 ft. 2 in. (10.41 m)

Length overall - Meters7.37

Length overall - Meters10.41

Length overall - Inches29

Length overall - Inches41

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (101.6 cm)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters1.02

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches4

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters10.41

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet34

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches2

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail185 gal. With optional generator: 145 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters700.3

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal185

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMerCruiser 496 Magnum/375 hp

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Maximum people8 Passenger

Maximum people8

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity4

Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 vs Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 or the Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006?

For trailering, the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 82 lbs for the Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006. 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 Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006 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 342 Performance 2006 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 or the Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006?

The Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006 has the bigger tank at 185 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004. That 177-gallon difference translates to roughly 531–885 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2004 and the Baja Marine 342 Performance 2006 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 342 Performance 2006 full specs