Just got 292 Islander

[howie11]

I picked up a 2001 292 Islander last Thursday and had it on Lake Conroe (Houston, TX) all weekend. It has twin 350s and gets around the lake just a little bit faster and more comfortable than my Ski Nautique. The #2 engine has a low idle problem and dies when shifting sometimes, but other than that it is awesome. I will be looking to this board for "enhancements" to the boat. The boat seems to list to the starboard side, is this typical of a twin?

[Baja Daze]

Welcome to the board! There's a wealth of info here and a good time to be had!

Nice choice.

[ckmansell]

Not sure about your idle problem. But here is what I know about the listing. A few years back when Baja first introduced the "all new" 292, they brought Hull #1 to Missouri for two reasons. One, the photo shoot and test for Powerboat magazine and two, the Easter Boat show at the Lake of the Ozarks for it's boat show debut. I am a demo driver for the Baja dealer at these boat shows. I had a chance to put about 6 or 7 hours on this boat in three days. (Single 502mag, bravo III) This boat listed badly and Baja was aware. They were working on a fix. Not sure how many were produced before they got it right. I do know running with 1/2 tank of fuel or more seemed to help. It also does not help that the passenger seat is next to the operator. If you bought it used, you are probably not going to get Baja to help you. Unless, you are friends with the original owner, and maybe they can convince Baja they still own it, you might get some luck there. My only other suggestion would be using your tabs if you have them. If not, might look at installing them or re-distributing weight on the boat. Hope this helps.

PS. I have seen threads on this board about the magazine tests appear to be biased toward the advertisers. And you guessed it, when the article came out there was no mention of the listing problem. And believe me, there was no way the editors could have NOT noticed!

[MissBehave1]

Congratulations on your new Islander....

NICE boat!!!! :D

[howie11]

Thanks for the comments! Curt, I do have trim tabs which help but i don't like cruising everywhere with the right tab 3/4 down. I thought the listing problem may be a result of the twin small blocks and the torque. I will just have to take a couple of extra people out with me and have them sit on the port side. Thats the good thing that there is PLENTY of room. My boat came with a single bolster. Anyone know where I could go to find a dual helm bolster?

[GottaHaveIt]

I'll be looking for you on the lake! I live right on the water in Cape Conroe. It gets pretty crazy on the weekends and I have no plans to be on the water over the 4th! I usually go out during the week so I have the lake to myself. Too many pontoon party barges, bass boats, runabouts and stuff on the weekends.

Does your 292 list while sitting still and while running or just while up and running?

[TEAMBAJA]

Howie, do you have any pics of the new boat?

Email me at gleonhar@columbus.rr.com

Later

[Busta]

Howie,

Congrats on your Islander purchase. That 292 is huge for a runabout!! We just bought our 252 Islander back in March and absolutely love it. Like GottaHaveit said, I'll keep a lookout for you too, we hit Conroe quite a bit. We were there last Saturday. We usually put in off 105 somewhere and head towards the North end. There's a lot less bulkhead up that way so it's much smoother and there are some decent beaches to hang out on. You just have to know where the stumpy areas are.

GottaHaveit,
I agree, Conroe is awesome during the week. We went there a couple of weeks ago on a Thursday and we pretty much had the lake to ourselves.

[howie11]

GottaHaveIt: I can usually only make it on the weekends as i live and work in Houston, but have been out on weekdays and it is very nice. The boat only lists at speed.
Teambaja: No pics yet but I will be sure to get some next time out.
Busta: It is a large boat especially when coming from a 22 ft Nautique. I'll be easy to spot on the lake, I'll be the idiot crashing into the docks. I haven't quite gotten used to driving a twin engine. My first time out, I was alone and when trying to get the boat back on the trailer I actually turned the boat all the way backward at the launch. Luckily only one guy was there to lauqh at me. I head up North also, much nicer in the cove past the stumps.