Baja 302 Performance (Not in Production)

Brief Summary

The 302 is designed for the boater who is interested in serious performance and fast ride. She’s an attractive sportboat which features overnighting accommodations for two, an enclosed head, and galley.

Key Features

• Spacious cockpit
• Seating for eight
• V-berth for overnighting
• Galley with refrigerator and sink
• Enclosed Porta-Potti
• Swim platform
• Large sun pad
• Drop down bolster seats
• Stereo with CD player

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	30' 6''
Beam	8' 6''
Dry Weight	6,800 lbs.
Draft	3' 2''
Deadrise/Transom	24 deg.
Max Headroom	N/A
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Fuel Capacity	150 gal.
Water Capacity	9 gal.

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	3.6 seconds
0 to 30	6.3 seconds
Ratio	N/A
Props	26-inch
Load	3 persons, 3/4 fuel, minimal gear
Climate	85 degrees, 80% humidity, wind 10 knots, seas 1 feet

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 425-hp MerCruiser 496 MAG HO
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	2 x 320-hp MerCruiser MX 6.2L Bravo 2 x 375-hp MerCruiser 496 MAG 2 x 425-hp MerCruiser 496 MAG HO 2 x 470-hp MerCruiser 500 EFI 2 x 500-hp MerCruiser 525 EFI

Captain's Report

Tested by Capt. Chris Kelly
The 302 performance was born to run, but has many features that make her ideal for entertaining. With a large beam and extra room down below for a V-berth, galley, couch and more it’s no wonder the whole family will enjoy the thrill and comfort this boat has to offer.
Cockpit Layout
The cockpit is inviting to guests, and the hull is just as lethal to the waves as its bigger brethren. And when you’re ready for some water sports the extended swim platform aft makes easy work of getting in and out of the water. There’s a freshwater shower located at the transom to wash off the salt before boarding the boat. If you would rather just relax and take it easy the sun pad over the engine compartment is the place to be, and offers comfort while lounging around.
The cockpit is spacious for a performance boat. There’s plenty of room for getting around and there’s also plenty of seating for all your friends. In the back there’s a long bench seat with storage underneath, and this is also where you’ll find access to the batteries. Another nice feature are the built-in head rests, which provide good support to passengers while speeding along at over 60 mph. Further forward two drop-down bolster seats provide comfortable riding accommodations, and help keep you locked in place when slicing through the seas. The drop-downs make it easy to sit or stand when the going gets fast. Over at the co-pilots seat is a dashboard, cup holder and CD radio for entertainment.
Behind the Wheel
Over at the helm the driver has all necessary gauges laid out in front. The Teleflex gauges are very readable and the Gaffrig controls provide performance throttle control. The custom adjustable steering wheel is also a nice touch, which adds to the comfort when driving this responsive boat. When it comes time to dock or drop the anchor it’s a narrow but easy step up and over the windshield to the foredeck. There’s good footing up here and a stainless steel bow rail runs the length of the bow providing support.
Accommodations
If your looking for a boat that can also serve double-duty as a comfortable weekend boat for poker runs and quick getaways, then the 302 Performance may be right for you. The cabin on this boat can sleep two in the forward V-berth with privacy curtain, and with the couch and table in place you can serve several guests down here if the weather turns. The galley features a single-burner alcohol cook top, refrigerator and stainless steel sink. There’s also an enclosed head with porta potti.
Specs
What really sets this boat apart from other sportboats in its category is the range of engine choices. With a push of a button the back sun pad lifts up to reveal the MerCruiser power plant. You can also choose from 5 different setups to fit your needs. Our test boat had the 425-hp 496 MAG HO. There was plenty of room around the single engine for daily checks of the fluids and oil, and with the Bravo 3 drive and trim tabs she delivered an exciting ride. The 302 Performance has an overall length of 30’6" with a 8’6" beam and shallow 38" draft with the drives up. She weighs in at 6,800 pounds and carries 150 gallons of fuel and sports a 9-gallon fresh water tank.
Handling
The 302 Performance handles all conditions well. We found that there is a little more plane height than the other boats, and this can be countered by leaving the trim tabs down while getting up to speed. The deep-V and hard chines helped her to hold through the turns and really take the waves well. We found her best cruise to be at 43.4 mph at 3,000 rpm, giving us a range of 230 miles. And with the 425-hp MerCruiser MAG HO we got her up to 66.6 mph at full throttle.