Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 vs Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 or the Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009?

For trailering, the Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009 has the edge at 39 lbs dry weight versus 53 lbs for the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 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 H2X Performance 2009 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 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 280 Sportfish 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Baja Marine H2X Performance 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.

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

Both the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 and Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009 share an 8 ft. 4 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 280 Sportfish 2004 or the Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009?

The Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 and Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 and the Baja Marine H2X Performance 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 280 Sportfish 2004 vs Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009

Baja Marine

Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004

2004

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Baja Marine

Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 vs Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 vs Baja Marine H2X Performance 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 H2X Performance 2009 tops out at 425 hp. Engine specs for the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009 carries 8 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 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 280 Sportfish 2004 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Baja Marine H2X Performance 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 280 Sportfish 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Baja Marine H2X Performance 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

Model280 Sportfish

ModelH2X Performance

Model Year2004

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 4 in

Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches1

Deadrise24℃

Deadrise21℃

Weight - Detail5,300 lbs

Weight - Detail3,900 lbs. (1,769 kg)

Weight - kg2404.04

Weight - kg1769.01

Weight - lbs.53

Weight - lbs.39

Length overall - Detail28 ft

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 0.5 in. (7.33 m)

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Meters7.34

Length overall - Inches336

Length overall - Inches288.5

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (88.9 cm)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches35

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.33

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches0.5

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail200 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (302.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters757.08

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMerCruiser? MX 6.2L/320 hp/Bravo I

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeInboard

Engine maxnot available

Engine max425 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people9 Passenger

Maximum people6

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 vs Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 or the Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009?

For trailering, the Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009 has the edge at 39 lbs dry weight versus 53 lbs for the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 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 H2X Performance 2009 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 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 280 Sportfish 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Baja Marine H2X Performance 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.

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

Both the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 and Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009 share an 8 ft. 4 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 280 Sportfish 2004 or the Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009?

The Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 and Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 and the Baja Marine H2X Performance 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 280 Sportfish 2004 full specs ← Baja Marine H2X Performance 2009 full specs