Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 vs Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 or the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004?

For trailering, the Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 has the edge at 257 lbs dry weight versus 1 065 lbs for the Four Winns 298 Vista 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 is certified for 9. 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 298 Vista 2004 measures 126" wide, compared to 96" for the Four Winns 180 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 180 Freedom OB 2004 or the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004?

The Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 has the bigger tank at 32 gallons, versus 14 gallons on the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 and Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 and the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 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 180 Freedom OB 2004 vs Four Winns 298 Vista 2004

Four Winns

Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004

2004

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Four Winns

Four Winns 298 Vista 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 vs Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 vs Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

Model180 Freedom OB

Model298 Vista

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 0 in

Beam10 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters3.2

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches126

Deadrise19℃

Draft [max] - Detail31 in

Draft [max] - Detail39 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail2,050 - 2,570 lbs

Weight - Detail10,370-10,650 lbs

Weight - kg1165.73

Weight - kg4830.75

Weight - lbs.257

Weight - lbs.1065

Height [transom]3 ft. 9 in

Height [transom]9 ft. 2 in. w/arch

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (with Swim Platform)

Length overall - Detail31 ft. 0 in. (with Swim Platform)

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters9.45

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches372

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail32 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail140 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13

Fuel tank capacity - Liters529.96

Fuel tank capacity - Gal32

Fuel tank capacity - Gal14

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,300 lbs

Maximum capacityYacht

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity30 gal

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailSee Additional Features

Trailer - Detailnot available

Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 vs Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 or the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004?

For trailering, the Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 has the edge at 257 lbs dry weight versus 1 065 lbs for the Four Winns 298 Vista 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 is certified for 9. 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 298 Vista 2004 measures 126" wide, compared to 96" for the Four Winns 180 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 180 Freedom OB 2004 or the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004?

The Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 has the bigger tank at 32 gallons, versus 14 gallons on the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 and Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 180 Freedom OB 2004 and the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 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 180 Freedom OB 2004 full specs ← Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 full specs