Four Winns 248 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns F224 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 248 Vista 2005 or the Four Winns F224 2012?

The Four Winns 248 Vista 2005 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Four Winns F224 2012 comes in at 23,7 feet, making it roughly 2,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 248 Vista 2005 or the Four Winns F224 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns F224 2012 has the edge at 424 lbs dry weight versus 597 lbs for the Four Winns 248 Vista 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 F224 2012 carry?

The Four Winns F224 2012 has an official capacity rating of 13 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 248 Vista 2005 and Four Winns F224 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) 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 248 Vista 2005 and Four Winns F224 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 7 gallons and 5 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 248 Vista 2005 and Four Winns F224 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 248 Vista 2005 and the Four Winns F224 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 248 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns F224 2012

Four Winns

Four Winns 248 Vista 2005

2005

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Four Winns

Four Winns F224 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 248 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns F224 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 248 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns F224 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Four Winns 248 Vista 2005 at 26,0 ft versus Four Winns F224 2012 at 23,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns 248 Vista 2005 tips the scales at 597 lbs — 173 lbs more than the Four Winns F224 2012 at 424 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 248 Vista 2005 at 26,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Four Winns F224 2012 at 23,7 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

Model248 Vista

ModelF224

Model Year2005

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 6 in. (1.37 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.06

Bridge clearance - Meters1.37

Bridge clearance - Inches81

Bridge clearance - Inches54

Deadrise17℃

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

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches31

Weight - Detail5,930 - 5,970 lbs. (2.690 - 2.708 kg)

Weight - Detail4,150 - 4,240 lbs. (1,880 - 1,920 kg) with engine

Weight - kg2707.94

Weight - kg1923.23

Weight - lbs.597

Weight - lbs.424

Length - Meters7.98

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet23.67

Length - Inches2

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 2 in. (7.98 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]23 ft. 8 in. (7.21 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail14 in. (36 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.36

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches14

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m) with windshield 5 ft. 7 in. (1.71 m) with wind deflector

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.88

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches74

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. (6.4 m) without swim platform

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters6.4

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches252

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Drive typeI/O

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMerCruiser or Volvo

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

HeadFiberglass enclosed stand-up head

Headnot available

Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)

Water capacityPotable: 12 gal. (45 l)

Maximum capacity2,350 lbs. (1.066 kg)

Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

Holding tank capacity - Detail3 gal. (11 l)

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

Holding tank capacity - Liters11.36

Holding tank capacity - Gal3

Holding tank capacity - Gal2.6

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people13

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

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

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Height8 ft. (2.44 m) wakeboard tower down 10 ft. 10 in. (3.30 m) wakeboard tower up 8 ft. (2.44 m) with windshield 7 ft. 5 in. (2.26 m) with wind deflector

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 7 in. (7.8 m)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight1,365 lbs. (619 kg)

Four Winns 248 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns F224 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 248 Vista 2005 or the Four Winns F224 2012?

The Four Winns 248 Vista 2005 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Four Winns F224 2012 comes in at 23,7 feet, making it roughly 2,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 248 Vista 2005 or the Four Winns F224 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns F224 2012 has the edge at 424 lbs dry weight versus 597 lbs for the Four Winns 248 Vista 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 F224 2012 carry?

The Four Winns F224 2012 has an official capacity rating of 13 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 248 Vista 2005 and Four Winns F224 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) 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 248 Vista 2005 and Four Winns F224 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 7 gallons and 5 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 248 Vista 2005 and Four Winns F224 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 248 Vista 2005 and the Four Winns F224 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 248 Vista 2005 full specs ← Four Winns F224 2012 full specs