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42 April 2007 FAMILY & PERFORMANCE BOATING

Words by Christopher Lloyd § Photography by Steven Curry WORDS BY JOSH KAYLOR § PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BAJA MARINE

BAJAForm and Function Combine to Make the All-New Bajaan Ideal Family Cruiser

Baja Marine has been building high-performance powerboatslong before some present performance boat builders wereborn, so Baja understands what it takes to build high-per-

formance boats that have an across-the-board appeal. Since 1972,Baja has continued to be a leader in boating versatility, and theall-new 277 Islander is a continuation along that theme. To Baja,it is the design that performance boating should follow.

What Baja has accomplished is an attractively priced, great-looking boat that combines all the elements of an ideal boat forfamily-and-performance-style boating. Baja began by designing theIslander as a 27-foot powerboat and then implemented the idea ofrecreation and enjoyment into the scenario, and Baja accom-plished what it set out to do by careful engineering and designwork.

Construction of the 277 is impressive, since Baja begins withend-grain balsa-core construction and bi-axial, vacuum-infused hulllaminates for the utmost in strength and durability. Baja usesPlexus bonding for the hull and a top-quality gelcoat to protect the277 from the elements. After the hull is cured and ready for rig-ging, Baja installs stainless steel through-bolted bow and sterneyes, latches, a ski tow and 6-inch stainless steel cleats. Actually,each fastener found throughout the package is stainless steel.Navigational lights and a rub rail complete the package.

There is a 101-gallon fuel cell that will help avoid those time-consuming fuel stops. Filling the tank is a snap, thanks to the pop-up stainless steel fuel cap. The stainless steel three-step swim plat-form allows for easy trips in and out of the water, which is a greatfamily convenience. The Islander package includes a canvas cock-

ISLANDER 277BAJA

ISLANDER 277

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FAMILY & PERFORMANCE BOATING April 2007 43


pit cover, tonneau cover, depth finder and filler cushion package.The package also has a fire extinguisher system, a rub rail withstainless steel insert and the performance Clarion stereo systemwith Sirius Satellite radio.

The result of this design is a V-hull performance boat that hasplenty of storage for recreational tools such as skis and wake-boards, while providing room for 10 passengers. Depending onwhat you will be doing on the water, passenger headcount mayvary but comfort won’t. Inside the cockpit, Baja installed Aerodrop-down bolsters with 34-oz. vinyl upholstery. There is also a rearbench, which nicely accommodates four adults and featureshinged cooler storage below. Entering the mid-cabin or bow seat-ing is a breeze thanks to the full-framed, walk-through windshield.Bow seating or lounging is quite comfortable, as the seat cushionsfold up for recliner seating. The well-thought-out seating allows for10 adults to comfortably enjoy an afternoon on the lake.

The floor of the cockpit has a textured non-slip fiberglass finish,which allows for easy cleanup after a long weekend of heavy use.We found the cockpit and mid-cabin of the 277 to be well laidout, as there are plenty of cupholders, storage compartments andcourtesy lights integrated into both the interior and the aisleway.This makes for hassle-free use while on the water.

Sitting at the controls is a treat as a tilt column with a customblack wheel and satin-finished spokes controls the power steering.Baja believes in quality and performance and installs a set ofLivorsi II instrumentation into every 277, along with a set of Livorsiperformance controls. A set of rocker switches makes working thecomponents a breeze, thanks to the red back-lit assemblies foundthroughout. The entire layout is well laid out, as the gauges arewithin quick view of the driver and everything is within reach.

Base power for the 277, in the beautifully finished engine com-partment, is a 320hp MerCruiser MX 6.2-liter powerplant, hookedto a Bravo One drive. Now, depending on how the 277 will beused, this may or may not be enough power for you, so carefulconsideration should be taken before you check the option boxes.

Baja Islander 277




If you believe that the MX 6.2-liter isn’t enough power, Baja offersa long list of power options, and since the Islander’s base price isjust under $77,000, excluding trailer, tax, title, registration, trans-portation, fuel surcharge and dealer prep, there is room for upgrad-ing before hitting the six-figure mark.

Depending on what you like in your boat, and if you feel thereis no power like a screaming, high-output big block, Baja has fourengine options available, starting with the MerCruiser 496Magnum/375hp ($81,977). For the extra dough, the 496 Magnumwill add around 55 hp. If you are looking for a little more power,the additional $5,269 might be the wise choice, as this shouldprovide an ideal amount of power for such a weekend warrior. Andif that still isn’t enough, the next step up is the MerCruiser496HO, which pumps out 425 hp ($89,615) and is hooked to thestout Bravo X drive. This is a great power level for a 27-foot V-hull,and allows for a speed upgrade while keeping the cost of the 277under $100,000. It will also provide you with a little room for afew convenience options.

If staying under a $100,000 budget is not a concern, thencontinue to look down the option list and you will find the bigboys. Baja also offers the 277 with the MerCruiser 525EFI, which

delivers 525 reliable horsepower with lightning-fast throttleresponse. Optioning up to the 525EFI ($53,077) is not cheap, butit will equip the 277 with a few more goodies beyond the engineitself. The Bravo X gets replaced with the Bravo XR drive, which isadded to handle the additional horsepower, as well as K-planesand a Latham steering option. The Bravo XR is paired with amatched stainless steel prop for increased performance. What Bajahas accomplished with each performance package is a balanced,complete assembly that provides the owner with a hassle-freespeed experience—no prop testing, no buying this and testing that.Baja has done it for you. Baja offers flat-out no-hassle perform-ance, so you know what you are getting going in.



Baja Islander 277

However, the most potent powerplant that is available as part ofthe Baja 277 package is the MerCruiser HP 600SCi, which pumpsout 600 reliable horsepower. Again, Baja paired the power of the3.3-liter Lysholm twin-screw-supercharger-equipped 600SCi with theBravo XR for the ultimate in power combination and dependability.The Mercury Racing 600SCi turns the 27-foot V-hull into a rocketon the water. Since Baja maintained the weight around 5,100pounds, the power-to-weight ratio is impressive for the Islander. Ifyou want speed, speed costs money, and the 600SCi superchargedpackage will add $72,308 to the package. But only you can judgeyour budget and how you want your boat to perform. Nonetheless,our favorite saying around the office goes something like this:“Better to grow into a boat than to grow out of one quickly.” Thisisn’t meant to imply that you need the 600SCi or the 525EFI to betotally happy with the performance of the boat. We think that, forthe money, the 496HO would fit nicely in anyone’s backyard andwould provide years of totally satisfying boating with unmatchedperformance and reliability. But we’re all different, and that is whyBaja has gone through all of the R&D work to offer this selection

of optional engine and drive packages.Baja has done a spectacular job of combining a family-sized

performance boat with amenities and options that can make yourchoice of an 277 Islander your personal blast on the water, bothfor recreation and for attending your local poker runs. We havelots of experience with owning Baja boats, and the 277 is a greatall-around boat we would love to have in our own slip.

Product Profile

Baja MarineDept. FPB

1520 Isaac Beal Rd.Bucyrus, OH 44820

877/321-2252www.bajamarine.com




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Form and Function Combine to Make the All-New Baja an Ideal …media.channelblade.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/... · 2007-03-15 · This makes for hassle-free use while