Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 vs Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 or the Four Winns HD8 RS 2021?

For trailering, the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 has the edge at 3 730 lbs dry weight versus 4 250 lbs for the Four Winns HD8 RS 2021. 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 HD8 RS 2021 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 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 225 Sundowner 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 is certified for 8. 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 HD8 RS 2021 measures 1 212" wide, compared to 100" for the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 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 225 Sundowner 2004 or the Four Winns HD8 RS 2021?

The Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 has the bigger tank at 70 gallons, versus 50 gallons on the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 and Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 and the Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 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 225 Sundowner 2004 vs Four Winns HD8 RS 2021

Four Winns

Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004

2004

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Four Winns

Four Winns HD8 RS 2021

2021

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 vs Four Winns HD8 RS 2021: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 vs Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 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 HD8 RS 2021 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 carries 70 gallons versus 50 gallons in the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 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 HD8 RS 2021 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 26,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

Makenot available

Model225 Sundowner

Modelnot available

Model Year2004

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 4 in.

Beam101.00 ft

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Meters30.78

Beam - Inches100

Beam - Inches1212

Deadrise20℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [max] - Detail35 in.

Draft [max] - Detail2.70 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.82

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches32

Weight - Detail3,650-3,730 lbs.

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg1691.9

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.3730

Weight - lbs.not available

Height [transom]5 ft. 11 in.

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 1 in. (with Swim Platform)

Length overall - Detail26.50 ft

Length overall - Meters7.34

Length overall - Meters8.08

Length overall - Inches289

Length overall - Inches318

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26.5

Draft Minnot available

Draft Min1.40 ft

Displacementnot available

Displacement4250.00 lbs

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal50

Fuel tank capacity - Gal70

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine modelV8

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower300 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity7 gal.

Water capacity12

Maximum capacity1900 lbs.

Maximum capacitynot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailSee Additional Features

Trailer - Detailnot available

Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 vs Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 or the Four Winns HD8 RS 2021?

For trailering, the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 has the edge at 3 730 lbs dry weight versus 4 250 lbs for the Four Winns HD8 RS 2021. 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 HD8 RS 2021 has a documented max rating of 300 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 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 225 Sundowner 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 is certified for 8. 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 HD8 RS 2021 measures 1 212" wide, compared to 100" for the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 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 225 Sundowner 2004 or the Four Winns HD8 RS 2021?

The Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 has the bigger tank at 70 gallons, versus 50 gallons on the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 and Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Four Winns 225 Sundowner 2004 and the Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 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 225 Sundowner 2004 full specs ← Four Winns HD8 RS 2021 full specs