Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 vs Four Winns V278 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 or the Four Winns V278 2008?

For trailering, the Four Winns V278 2008 has the edge at 71 lbs dry weight versus 182 lbs for the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns V278 2008 has a documented max rating of 375 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Four Winns V278 2008 is certified for 1. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns V278 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 9" for the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 or the Four Winns V278 2008?

The Four Winns V278 2008 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004. That 61-gallon difference translates to roughly 183–305 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 and Four Winns V278 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 and the Four Winns V278 2008 are built by Four Winns. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 vs Four Winns V278 2008

Four Winns

Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004

2004

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Four Winns

Four Winns V278 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 vs Four Winns V278 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 vs Four Winns V278 2008 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The Four Winns V278 2008 tops out at 375 hp. Engine specs for the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Four Winns V278 2008 carries 85 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Four Winns V278 2008 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns V278 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

Model170 Freedom OB

ModelV278

Model Year2004

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 6 in

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches9

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise17℃

Draft [max] - Detail28 in

Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (99 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches28

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail1,790-1,820 lbs

Weight - DetailWith Engine: 6,880 - 7,100 lbs. (3,120 - 3,220 kg)

Weight - kg825.54

Weight - kg3220.5

Weight - lbs.182

Weight - lbs.71

Height [transom]3 ft. 8 in

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 6 in. (with Swim Platform)

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 4 in. (8.64 m)

Length overall - Meters5.03

Length overall - Meters8.64

Length overall - Inches198

Length overall - Inches34

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. (2.13 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.13

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches84

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches22

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail8 ft. 9 in. (2.67 m)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters2.67

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches105

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.64

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet28

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches4

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (321 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7 Gi/DP 300 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max375 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,850 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Headroomnot available

HeadroomMaximum: 6 ft. (1.83 m)

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityPotable: 21 gal. (79 l) Gray: 17 gal. (65 l)

Water heater capacitynot available

Water heater capacity6 gal

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people1

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters79.49

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal21

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailSee Additional Features

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight2,056 lbs. (933 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 vs Four Winns V278 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 or the Four Winns V278 2008?

For trailering, the Four Winns V278 2008 has the edge at 71 lbs dry weight versus 182 lbs for the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns V278 2008 has a documented max rating of 375 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Four Winns V278 2008 is certified for 1. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns V278 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 9" for the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 or the Four Winns V278 2008?

The Four Winns V278 2008 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004. That 61-gallon difference translates to roughly 183–305 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 and Four Winns V278 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 and the Four Winns V278 2008 are built by Four Winns. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Four Winns 170 Freedom OB 2004 full specs ← Four Winns V278 2008 full specs