ISLANDER 277 ISLANDER 277

Words by Christopher Lloyd § Photography by Steven Curry
WORDS BY JOSH KAYLOR § PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BAJA MARINE
BAJA
ISLANDER 277
Form and Function Combine to Make the All-New Baja
an Ideal Family Cruiser
Baja Marine has been building high-performance powerboats
long before some present performance boat builders were
born, so Baja understands what it takes to build high-performance
boats that have an across-the-board appeal. Since 1972,
Baja has continued to be a leader in boating versatility, and the
all-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, greatlooking
boat that combines all the elements of an ideal boat for
family-and-performance-style boating. Baja began by designing the
Islander as a 27-foot powerboat and then implemented the idea of
recreation and enjoyment into the scenario, and Baja accomplished
what it set out to do by careful engineering and design
work.
42 April 2007 FAMILY & PERFORMANCE BOATING
Construction of the 277 is impressive, since Baja begins with
end-grain balsa-core construction and bi-axial, vacuum-infused hull
laminates for the utmost in strength and durability. Baja uses
Plexus bonding for the hull and a top-quality gelcoat to protect the
277 from the elements. After the hull is cured and ready for rigging,
Baja installs stainless steel through-bolted bow and stern
eyes, 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 timeconsuming
fuel stops. Filling the tank is a snap, thanks to the popup
stainless steel fuel cap. The stainless steel three-step swim platform
allows for easy trips in and out of the water, which is a great
family convenience. The Islander package includes a canvas cock-

FAMILY & PERFORMANCE BOATING April 2007 43

Baja Islander 277
44 April 2007 FAMILY & PERFORMANCE BOATING
pit cover, tonneau cover, depth finder and filler cushion package.
The package also has a fire extinguisher system, a rub rail with
stainless steel insert and the performance Clarion stereo system
with Sirius Satellite radio.
The result of this design is a V-hull performance boat that has
plenty of storage for recreational tools such as skis and wakeboards,
while providing room for 10 passengers. Depending on
what you will be doing on the water, passenger headcount may
vary but comfort won’t. Inside the cockpit, Baja installed Aero
drop-down bolsters with 34-oz. vinyl upholstery. There is also a rear
bench, which nicely accommodates four adults and features
hinged cooler storage below. Entering the mid-cabin or bow seating
is a breeze thanks to the full-framed, walk-through windshield.
Bow seating or lounging is quite comfortable, as the seat cushions
fold up for recliner seating. The well-thought-out seating allows for
10 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 laid
out, as there are plenty of cupholders, storage compartments and
courtesy 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 custom
black wheel and satin-finished spokes controls the power steering.
Baja believes in quality and performance and installs a set of
Livorsi II instrumentation into every 277, along with a set of Livorsi
performance controls. A set of rocker switches makes working the
components a breeze, thanks to the red back-lit assemblies found
throughout. The entire layout is well laid out, as the gauges are
within quick view of the driver and everything is within reach.
Base power for the 277, in the beautifully finished engine compartment,
is a 320hp MerCruiser MX 6.2-liter powerplant, hooked
to a Bravo One drive. Now, depending on how the 277 will be
used, this may or may not be enough power for you, so careful
consideration should be taken before you check the option boxes.

If you believe that the MX 6.2-liter isn’t enough power, Baja offers
a long list of power options, and since the Islander’s base price is
just under $77,000, excluding trailer, tax, title, registration, transportation,
fuel surcharge and dealer prep, there is room for upgrading
before hitting the six-figure mark.
Depending on what you like in your boat, and if you feel there
is no power like a screaming, high-output big block, Baja has four
engine options available, starting with the MerCruiser 496
Magnum/375hp ($81,977). For the extra dough, the 496 Magnum
will add around 55 hp. If you are looking for a little more power,
the additional $5,269 might be the wise choice, as this should
provide an ideal amount of power for such a weekend warrior. And
if that still isn’t enough, the next step up is the MerCruiser
496HO, which pumps out 425 hp ($89,615) and is hooked to the
stout 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 277
under $100,000. It will also provide you with a little room for a
few convenience options.
If staying under a $100,000 budget is not a concern, then
continue to look down the option list and you will find the big
boys. Baja also offers the 277 with the MerCruiser 525EFI, which
delivers 525 reliable horsepower with lightning-fast throttle
response. Optioning up to the 525EFI ($53,077) is not cheap, but
it will equip the 277 with a few more goodies beyond the engine
itself. The Bravo X gets replaced with the Bravo XR drive, which is
added to handle the additional horsepower, as well as K-planes
and a Latham steering option. The Bravo XR is paired with a
matched stainless steel prop for increased performance. What Baja
has accomplished with each performance package is a balanced,
complete assembly that provides the owner with a hassle-free
speed experience—no prop testing, no buying this and testing that.
Baja has done it for you. Baja offers flat-out no-hassle performance,
so you know what you are getting going in.
FAMILY & PERFORMANCE BOATING April 2007 45

Baja Islander 277
However, the most potent powerplant that is available as part of
the Baja 277 package is the MerCruiser HP 600SCi, which pumps
out 600 reliable horsepower. Again, Baja paired the power of the
3.3-liter Lysholm twin-screw-supercharger-equipped 600SCi with the
Bravo XR for the ultimate in power combination and dependability.
The Mercury Racing 600SCi turns the 27-foot V-hull into a rocket
on the water. Since Baja maintained the weight around 5,100
pounds, the power-to-weight ratio is impressive for the Islander. If
you want speed, speed costs money, and the 600SCi supercharged
package will add $72,308 to the package. But only you can judge
your 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.” This
isn’t meant to imply that you need the 600SCi or the 525EFI to be
totally happy with the performance of the boat. We think that, for
the money, the 496HO would fit nicely in anyone’s backyard and
would provide years of totally satisfying boating with unmatched
performance and reliability. But we’re all different, and that is why
Baja has gone through all of the R&D work to offer this selection
46 April 2007 FAMILY & PERFORMANCE BOATING
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 your
choice of an 277 Islander your personal blast on the water, both
for recreation and for attending your local poker runs. We have
lots of experience with owning Baja boats, and the 277 is a great
all-around boat we would love to have in our own slip.
Product Profile
Baja Marine
Dept. FPB
1520 Isaac Beal Rd.
Bucyrus, OH 44820
877/321-2252
www.bajamarine.com

FAMILY & PERFORMANCE BOATING April 2007 47