Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns V285 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns V285 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 has the edge at 4 850 lbs dry weight versus 7 360 lbs for the Four Winns V285 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 people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Four Winns V285 2012 is certified for 10. 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 250 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns V285 2012 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns V285 2012?

The Four Winns V285 2012 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 75 gallons on the Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns V285 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 and the Four Winns V285 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 250 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns V285 2012

Four Winns

Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004

2004

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Four Winns

Four Winns V285 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns V285 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns V285 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Four Winns V285 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns V285 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns V285 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 28,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

Model250 Horizon

ModelV285

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in.

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.55 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise17℃

Draft [max] - Detail36 in.

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail4,630-4,850 lbs.

Weight - Detail6,910 - 7,360 lbs. (3,130 - 3,340 kg) with engine

Weight - kg2199.92

Weight - kg3338.44

Weight - lbs.4850

Weight - lbs.7360

Height [transom]4 ft. 7 in.

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 7 in. (with Swim Platform)

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

Length overall - Meters8.1

Length overall - Meters8.64

Length overall - Inches319

Length overall - Inches340

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. (2.13 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.13

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches84

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

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail8 ft. 9 in. (2.67 m)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters2.67

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches105

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet28.33

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (321 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMerCruiser or Volvo

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Water capacity7 gal.

Water capacityPotable: 21 gal. (79 l)

Maximum capacity2500 lbs.

Maximum capacitynot available

Headroomnot available

Headroom6 ft. (1.83 m)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people10

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79 l) Gray: 17 gal. (65 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters79.49

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal21

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailSee Additional Features

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Height10 ft. 9 in. (3.28 m) 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m) with arch

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight2,056 lbs. (933 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns V285 2012 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns V285 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 has the edge at 4 850 lbs dry weight versus 7 360 lbs for the Four Winns V285 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 people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Four Winns V285 2012 is certified for 10. 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 250 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns V285 2012 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns V285 2012?

The Four Winns V285 2012 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 75 gallons on the Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns V285 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Four Winns 250 Horizon 2004 and the Four Winns V285 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 250 Horizon 2004 full specs ← Four Winns V285 2012 full specs