Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 vs Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 or the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 or the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007?

For trailering, the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 has the edge at 71 lbs dry weight versus 445 lbs for the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005. 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 278 Vista 2007 carry?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 has an official capacity rating of 8 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

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

Both the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 and Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59) 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 or the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 65 gallons on the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005. 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 245 Sundowner 2005 and Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 and the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 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 245 Sundowner 2005 vs Four Winns 278 Vista 2007

Four Winns

Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005

2005

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Four Winns

Four Winns 278 Vista 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 vs Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 vs Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 at 26,0 ft versus Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 at 28,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 tips the scales at 445 lbs — 374 lbs more than the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 at 71 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 245 Sundowner 2005 and Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

Model245 Sundowner

Model278 Vista

Model Year2005

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 3 in. (1.9 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.91

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches75

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise17℃

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (99 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail4,170 - 4,450 lbs. (1,892 - 2,019 kg)

Weight - DetailWith Engine: 6,880-7,100 lbs. (3,120-3,220 kg)

Weight - kg2018.48

Weight - kg3220.5

Weight - lbs.445

Weight - lbs.71

Length - Meters8.2

Length - Meters8.64

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet28

Length - Inches9

Length - Inches4

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 9 in. (8.2 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches22

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 4 in. (8.64 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters8.64

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches34

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail65 gal. (246 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (321 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters246.05

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Gal65

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Drive typeI/O

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard5.7 Gi/DP 280 hp Volvo Penta

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

HeadPorta-Potti

Headnot available

Water capacity12 gal. (45 l)

Water capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,500 lbs. (1,134 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3 gal. (11 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters11.36

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal3

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailSee Standard Features

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight1,741 lbs. (790 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 vs Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 or the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 or the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007?

For trailering, the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 has the edge at 71 lbs dry weight versus 445 lbs for the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005. 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 278 Vista 2007 carry?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 has an official capacity rating of 8 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

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

Both the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 and Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59) 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 or the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 65 gallons on the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005. 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 245 Sundowner 2005 and Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 245 Sundowner 2005 and the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 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 245 Sundowner 2005 full specs ← Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 full specs