Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 vs Four Winns SL242 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 or the Four Winns SL242 2012?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 is the longer of the two at 24,4 feet overall. The Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 6,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 or the Four Winns SL242 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 has the edge at 28 lbs dry weight versus 508 lbs for the Four Winns SL242 2012. 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 passengers can the Four Winns SL242 2012 carry?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 has an official capacity rating of 12 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

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

The Four Winns SL242 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006. 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 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 or the Four Winns SL242 2012?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 has the bigger tank at 58 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006. 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 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 and Four Winns SL242 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 and the Four Winns SL242 2012 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 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 vs Four Winns SL242 2012

Four Winns

Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006

2006

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Four Winns

Four Winns SL242 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 vs Four Winns SL242 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 vs Four Winns SL242 2012 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Four Winns SL242 2012 measures 24,4 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 at 18,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns SL242 2012 tips the scales at 508 lbs — 480 lbs less than the Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 at 28 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

Bottom line: The Four Winns SL242 2012 at 24,4 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 at 18,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

Model183 Horizon Fish & Ski

ModelSL242

Model Year2006

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 9 in. (1.14 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m) 7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m) with arch

Bridge clearance - Meters1.14

Bridge clearance - Meters2.21

Bridge clearance - Inches45

Bridge clearance - Inches87

Deadrise19℃

Deadrise20℃

Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (79 cm)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail2,670 - 2,800 lbs. (1,210 - 1,270 kg)

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

Weight - kg1270.06

Weight - kg2304.25

Weight - lbs.28

Weight - lbs.508

Length - Meters5.49

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet24.42

Length [over all with swim platform]18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

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 overall - Detailnot available

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

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters7.44

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches293

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercruiser 4.3L/Alpha 190 hp or Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX 190 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail32 gal. (121 l)

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

Drive typeI/O

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMerCruiser or Volvo

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,300 lbs. (590 kg)

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 - DetailSure-Load? custom-matched

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

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Height7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) 8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 m) wakeboard tower down 10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 m) wakeboard tower up

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight1,495 lbs. (678 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 vs Four Winns SL242 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 or the Four Winns SL242 2012?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 is the longer of the two at 24,4 feet overall. The Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 6,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 or the Four Winns SL242 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 has the edge at 28 lbs dry weight versus 508 lbs for the Four Winns SL242 2012. 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 passengers can the Four Winns SL242 2012 carry?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 has an official capacity rating of 12 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006. 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 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 or the Four Winns SL242 2012?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 has the bigger tank at 58 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006. 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 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 and Four Winns SL242 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 and the Four Winns SL242 2012 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 183 Horizon Fish & Ski 2006 full specs ← Four Winns SL242 2012 full specs