Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 vs Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 or the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004?

For trailering, the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 96 lbs for the Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 is certified for 9. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 measures 111" wide, compared to 1" for the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 or the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004?

The Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 has the bigger tank at 22 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 and Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 and the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 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 .38 Special Performance 2004 vs Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004

Baja Marine

Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004

2004

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Baja Marine

Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 vs Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 vs Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 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 9 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 .38 Special Performance 2004 and Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 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

Model.38 Special Performance

Model280 Sportfish

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 3 in

Beam8 ft. 4 in

Beam - Meters2.82

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches111

Beam - Inches1

Deadrise24℃

Weight - Detail9,600 lbs

Weight - Detail5,300 lbs

Weight - kg4354.48

Weight - kg2404.04

Weight - lbs.96

Weight - lbs.53

Length overall - Detail37 ft. 7 in

Length overall - Detail28 ft

Length overall - Meters11.46

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Inches451

Length overall - Inches336

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail220 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail200 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters832.79

Fuel tank capacity - Liters757.08

Fuel tank capacity - Gal22

Fuel tank capacity - Gal2

Operational Info

Maximum people9 Passenger

Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 vs Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 or the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004?

For trailering, the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 96 lbs for the Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 is certified for 9. 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 .38 Special Performance 2004 measures 111" wide, compared to 1" for the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004. 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 .38 Special Performance 2004 or the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004?

The Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 has the bigger tank at 22 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 and Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Baja Marine .38 Special Performance 2004 and the Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 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 .38 Special Performance 2004 full specs ← Baja Marine 280 Sportfish 2004 full specs