Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022?

For trailering, the Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 has the edge at 433 lbs dry weight versus 5 350 lbs for the Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022. 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 230 Horizon 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 5 gallons and 7 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 and the Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022 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 230 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022

Four Winns

Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004

2004

View full specs →

Four Winns

Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022

2022

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022 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 HD8 Surf 2022 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Four Winns 230 Horizon 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 Surf 2022 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 26,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns 230 Horizon 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

Model230 Horizon

Modelnot available

Model Year2004

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam8.50 ft

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [max] - Detail34 in

Draft [max] - Detail3.50 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters1.07

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches42

Weight - Detail4,270-4,330 lbs

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg1964.05

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.433

Weight - lbs.not available

Height [transom]4 ft. 3 in

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 7 in. (with Swim Platform)

Length overall - Detail26.60 ft

Length overall - Meters7.49

Length overall - Meters8.11

Length overall - Inches295

Length overall - Inches319

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26.6

Draft Minnot available

Draft Min30.00 ft

Displacementnot available

Displacement5350.00 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 - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Operational Info

Water capacity7 gal

Water capacity12

Maximum capacity2000 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailSee Additional Features

Trailer - Detailnot available

Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022?

For trailering, the Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 has the edge at 433 lbs dry weight versus 5 350 lbs for the Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022. 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 230 Horizon 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 5 gallons and 7 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 230 Horizon 2004 and the Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022 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 230 Horizon 2004 full specs ← Four Winns HD8 Surf 2022 full specs