Both the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2008 and the Baja Marine 247 Islander 2010 are deep-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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 - Baja Marine 242 Islander 2008 at 24,0 ft versus Baja Marine 247 Islander 2010 at 24,4 ft. At 4 400 lbs and 4 300 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 - 425 hp for the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2008 and 425 hp for the Baja Marine 247 Islander 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Baja Marine 242 Islander 2008 carries 102 gallons versus 80 gallons in the Baja Marine 247 Islander 2010. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

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.