Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004 vs Four Winns SL242 2010 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004 or the Four Winns SL242 2010?

For trailering, the Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004 has the edge at 257 lbs dry weight versus 508 lbs for the Four Winns SL242 2010. 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 SL242 2010 has a documented max rating of 3 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns 180 Freedom 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 180 Freedom 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Four Winns SL242 2010 is certified for 12. 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 SL242 2010 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Four Winns 180 Freedom 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 2004 or the Four Winns SL242 2010?

The Four Winns SL242 2010 has the bigger tank at 58 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 78–130 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004 and Four Winns SL242 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004 and the Four Winns SL242 2010 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 2004 vs Four Winns SL242 2010

Four Winns

Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004

2004

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Four Winns

Four Winns SL242 2010

2010

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004 vs Four Winns SL242 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004 vs Four Winns SL242 2010 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 SL242 2010 tops out at 3 hp. Engine specs for the Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Four Winns SL242 2010 carries 58 gallons versus 32 gallons in the Four Winns 180 Freedom 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 SL242 2010 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Four Winns 180 Freedom 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 SL242 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns SL242 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 24,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns 180 Freedom 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

ModelSL242

Model Year2004

Model Year201

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 0 in

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise19℃

Deadrise20℃

Draft [max] - Detail31 in

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail2,050 - 2,570 lbs

Weight - Detail4,870 - 5,080 lbs. (2,210 - 2,300 kg) with engine

Weight - kg1165.73

Weight - kg2304.25

Weight - lbs.257

Weight - lbs.508

Height [transom]3 ft. 9 in

Height [transom]not available

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

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 5 in. (7.44 m)

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters7.44

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches293

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m) With Arch: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.21

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches87

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches17

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.93

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches76

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24.42

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail32 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail58 gal. (220 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13

Fuel tank capacity - Liters219.55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal32

Fuel tank capacity - Gal58

Engine makenot available

Engine makeVolvo

Engine modelnot available

Engine modelPenta 5.7 GiC/DP

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower3

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,300 lbs

Maximum capacity2,100 lbs. (953 kg)

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityPotable: 15 gal. (57 l)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people12

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail2.6 gal. (9.8 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters11.36

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal2.6

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailSee Additional Features

Trailer - DetailSure-Load? custom-matched, tandem axle with tandem disc brakes

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - HeightNo Wakeboaed Tower: 7 ft 9 in. (2.36 m) Wakeboard Tower Down: 8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 m) Wakeboard Tower Up: 10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 m)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight1,495 lbs. (678 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004 vs Four Winns SL242 2010 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004 or the Four Winns SL242 2010?

For trailering, the Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004 has the edge at 257 lbs dry weight versus 508 lbs for the Four Winns SL242 2010. 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 SL242 2010 has a documented max rating of 3 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns 180 Freedom 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 180 Freedom 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Four Winns SL242 2010 is certified for 12. 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 SL242 2010 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Four Winns 180 Freedom 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 2004 or the Four Winns SL242 2010?

The Four Winns SL242 2010 has the bigger tank at 58 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 78–130 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004 and Four Winns SL242 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 180 Freedom 2004 and the Four Winns SL242 2010 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 2004 full specs ← Four Winns SL242 2010 full specs