Baja 26 Outlaw and Pro-Line 23 Sport Hemingway Edition: New Releases from Baja Marine
Baja Marine drew considerable attention at the fall boat shows with the introduction of the Baja 26 Outlaw, the brand’s first outboard-powered sportboat and the company’s first non-sterndrive design. The move represents a notable shift for Baja, offering the performance and handling the brand is known for while embracing modern outboard propulsion to free up space in the stern and simplify mechanical layout and serviceability.
On the 26 Outlaw, Baja has fitted twin Mercury Verado outboards — the chosen package on the show model was a pair of Verado 300s. That powertrain produces a claimed top speed of 70 mph and gives the boat strong acceleration and high-speed performance for a 26-foot sportboat. Beyond speed, the twin-outboard configuration opens up the stern area: Baja takes advantage of that space to add a dedicated wakeboard rack and convenient storage for safety gear, improving both functionality and on-water lifestyle.
“With the powerful and reliable Verado outboards, we felt that now was the time to come out with an outboard boat,” said company president Johnny Walker at the unveiling. The Baja 26 Outlaw carries a base price of $147,995, with an optional upgrade package priced at roughly $13,000 more for buyers who want additional features and customization. These pricing figures position the 26 Outlaw as a high-performance sportboat aimed at buyers seeking both speed and practical deck layout for watersports and cruising.
In addition to the 26 Outlaw, Baja Marine — which is the parent company of brands including Baja, Pro-Line, Donzi and Fountain — revealed a special edition of the Pro-Line 23 center console. Named the 23 Sport Hemingway Edition, this model is the first in a planned series of boats developed in collaboration with the family of renowned author Ernest Hemingway. The limited-edition design is inspired by Hemingway’s own boat Pilar and includes the author’s signature as a design element, linking the boat to a legacy of sea-going adventure and sportfishing.
John Hemingway, a family member involved with the project, explained at the launch that anyone familiar with his grandfather’s novels knows of Hemingway’s passion for boats, the sea, and fishing. That heritage influenced the look and features of the Hemingway Edition package: it’s intended to blend classic boating spirit with Pro-Line’s modern center-console functionality.
The relationship between Pro-Line and the Hemingway family grew more personal when Nick Miller, Baja vice president, and Mina Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway’s granddaughter, crossed paths while competing in the same fishing tournament. That encounter led to a broader collaboration: Baja’s Washington, N.C., builder plans to offer the Hemingway Edition package across Pro-Line models ranging from 21 to 35 feet, allowing buyers of different models to opt into the themed design and feature set.
The Pro-Line 23 Sport Hemingway Edition brings several notable equipment upgrades to the center console platform. Key features include a custom-angled rigid T-top with integrated storage and two additional rod holders, an upgraded aluminum helm seat with premium upholstery, and flat-black powdercoating applied to the bow, T-top and seat rails for a distinctive, understated finish. The package also includes a leaning post with a backrest and added rod holders for anglers who want quick access to gear.
With a single 300-hp Mercury Verado on the transom, the base price for the Pro-Line 23 sits at $64,015. The Hemingway Edition package is an optional upgrade priced at $19,725, which adds the signature styling and the fishing- and comfort-focused equipment list that distinguishes this special trim.
Together, these two introductions underline Baja Marine’s dual approach: continuing to refine high-performance sportboats like the 26 Outlaw while expanding lifestyle- and heritage-oriented offerings through collaborations such as the Pro-Line Hemingway Editions. Buyers looking for speed, watersports capability, or a tasteful nod to maritime history now have new factory-backed choices from a familiar builder.
February 2014 issue