Flying down Lake Erie on the new Baja 405, I quickly ran out of room on my speed sheet. On most tests, I stop somewhere in the thirty-knot range. Well, on the 405 we blasted past forty knots, then fifty knots, and finally hit 53.1 knots. Yes indeed, the twin 425 hp MerCruisers pushed Baja���s lightening fast cruiser to a top speed of more than 60 miles per hour.

Did I say Baja and cruiser in the same sentence? You bet, and speed and comfort is what the sexy Baja 405 is all about. The model replaces the popular .38 special, which by production boat standards had a heck of a run for the past 13 years. Besides implementing a lot of the lessons learned from the 38 into the 405, Baja had a lot more technology at their disposal compared to 13 years ago.

My hand tired, trying to jot down all the technical advances and hightech thinking that went into the new design. One of the biggest design challenges of any high-speed model is managing the strain that the hull and structure will endure at these higher speeds. In order to ensure there was no adverse stress, Baja conducted a series of strain gauge tests. These hot spots are identified in computer models, allowing the designers to make compensations. Baja also worked with the ocean and marine engineering team at the University of Michigan for hydrostatic testing to optimize the hull design.

The fact that I was on hull number one and we were hitting target performance numbers is a solid indicator that this hightech approach paid off. Our test 405 even had a few optional creature comforts and weighed in at approximately 11,000 pounds. The standard model has a projected displacement of 9,800 pounds. This is light! As a matter of comparison, I recently ran a 26-foot cruiser that tipped the scale at 5,500 pounds.

The 405 blasted out of the hole and we were on plane, racing towards Detroit in 5.7 seconds. I wished we had more of a chop on the test day to determine how this lightweight speed demon handled the rough stuff. I���m going to take an editorial leap, however, and predict that she���ll do just fine. I base this on the company���s rich racing pedigree. The deep-V hull with a deadrise of 24 degrees is pure Baja. She banked and turned with precision, without slowing down. I took her over her own wake and she rose and settled gently into the trough. The standard power is a pair of 375 hp MerCruiser 496 Magnum sterndrives. I think, however, the optional 425 hp MerCruiser 496 Magnums is the way to go. Baja is also building a 405 with a pair of 315 hp Yanmar diesels for a customer.

The 405���s narrow beam of 9 feet, 6 inches means that space planning is key to allow room for the aforementioned cruising comforts. On a boat like the 405, chances are you���ll be spending a fair amount of time in the cockpit area. A big complaint of mine about ���go-fast��� boats is that they are often only fun for the driver. He gets to sit at the helm, driving at lightening speeds while guests cling to a piece of vinyl that���s hard as a rock. But Baja has created a lounge-like setting in the cockpit. Three of us sat around the L-Shaped settee, with plenty of drink holders, able to carry on a normal level of conversation. And this was at 45 knots. At this speed we recorded a sound reading of 85 decibels. Considering that a large part of this reading could be attributed to wind, this is darn good.

Opposite the settee is a wet bar with ice maker. Baja plans on tweaking this and a few other items for the production models. Baja employees were using the test boat in real situations with friends and family so they could fully evaluate the 405 and make adjustments on future models. One of the adjustments I would like to see is some type of gate or barrier between the cockpit and swim platform to keep kids safely in the cockpit while underway. One clever touch was the cockpit locker behind the settee.

Baja directed heat from the engineroom into the space, to dry items like wet lines and gear. The helm was nicely arranged, and gauges were in the line of sight. This becomes even more important when you���re cruising at these high speeds. Baja will offer an air conditioning vent at the helm on future models.

The cabin of the 405 reveals Baja���s goal of appealing to a buyer who is looking to do a little more cruising than just pulling up to a waterfront restaurant. One of the advantages of conducting the strain tests is that they were able to design stringers and support beams that maximize interior space. This is certainly not a boat that you���re going to spend a week or more on board, but it is fully capable of a long weekend. Or an extended cruise can be broken up by a few days at a waterfront hotel, with a few days more on board. There is a compact galley that can turn out a host of lunch fare and reheated appetizers. Leave the Butterball turkey at home. The forward settee easily converts to a large V-berth. At the head of the berth is a plush, two-person recliner. It���s the perfect perch to kick back and watch the optional flat-screen TV.

While chatting with a few folks from Baja, we started to talk about the opportunities that a boat like the Baja 405 creates. I think the speed allows you to develop some fun trips. If you���re on the Great Lakes, for instance, think about an Indians day game, then sprint over to Put-In-Bay for eats, then race over to Detroit the next morning to catch the Tigers.Then you can fly up to Lake Huron for a little scenic break. With our time becoming so precious, the 405 can open-up some real fun options. And that���s what it���s all about. See page 48 for specs and performance.

Baja Marine, www.bajamarine.com.