At 34’2” overall, the 342 is big enough to give you a smooth ride even at high speed. And when we say “high” we mean it…our out-of-the-box 342 hit a top-end speed of just over 70 mph which is plenty to rearrange everybody’s hairdo. Her traditional deep-V bottom tracks straight and true with no tendency to chine walk, and Baja continues to make its case against step bottoms by proving it with the sure-footed carving and handling of the 342. And thanks to the fuel economy of the Merc 502 EFI sterndrives, the 342 can run for nearly 400 miles at 42mph on a single stop at the fuel dock. Down below she has adult-size luxury accommodations for two, or four in a pinch. But the cabin—with its full galley and enclosed head—is also a pretty nice place to hang out while waiting for the rainstorm to pass by. All in all, the 342 represents a way to get into performance boating at a price point that won’t sink your boating budget.
