Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006 boat specs
Four Winns
Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006
2006
View full specs →
VS
Four Winns 378 Vista 2005 boat specs
Four Winns
Four Winns 378 Vista 2005
2005
View full specs →

Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006 vs Four Winns 378 Vista 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006 vs Four Winns 378 Vista 2005 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Four Winns 378 Vista 2005 measures 41,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006 at 26,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006 tips the scales at 491 lbs — 489 lbs more than the Four Winns 378 Vista 2005 at 2 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 378 Vista 2005 at 41,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006 at 26,0 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
MakeFour Winns
Model255 Sundowner
Model378 Vista
Model Year2006
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam12 ft. 9 in. (3.89 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.89
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches153
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail11 ft. 6 in. with arch
Bridge clearance - Meters1.91
Bridge clearance - Meters3.51
Bridge clearance - Inches75
Bridge clearance - Inches138
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise19℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail42 in. (107 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters1.07
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches42
Weight - Detail4,650 - 4,910 lbs. (2,100 - 2,230 kg)
Weight - Detail18,000 - 20,000 lbs. (8,165 - 9,072 kg)
Weight - kg2227.14
Weight - kg9071.84
Weight - lbs.491
Weight - lbs.2
Length - Meters8.2
Length - Meters12.6
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet41
Length - Inches9
Length - Inches3
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 9 in. (8.2 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]41 ft. 3 in. (12.6 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7Gi/Duoprop 280 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail65 gal. (246 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail300 gal. (1,134 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters246.05
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Fuel tank capacity - Gal65
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
HeadPorta-potti
HeadPorcelain, VacuFlush? with holding tank
Water capacity12 gal. (45 l)
Water capacity66 gal. (250 l)
Maximum capacity2,500 lbs. (1,134 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail2.6 gal. (9.8 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail42 gal. (159 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters11.36
Holding tank capacity - Liters158.99
Holding tank capacity - Gal2.6
Holding tank capacity - Gal42
Water heater capacitynot available
Water heater capacity20 gal
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailSure-Load? custom-matched
Trailer - Detailnot available

Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006 vs Four Winns 378 Vista 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006 or the Four Winns 378 Vista 2005?
The Four Winns 378 Vista 2005 is the longer of the two at 41,0 feet overall. The Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 15,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006 or the Four Winns 378 Vista 2005?
For trailering, the Four Winns 378 Vista 2005 has the edge at 2 lbs dry weight versus 491 lbs for the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Four Winns 378 Vista 2005 measures 153" wide, compared to 102" for the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006. 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 255 Sundowner 2006 or the Four Winns 378 Vista 2005?
The Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006 has the bigger tank at 65 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Four Winns 378 Vista 2005. That 62-gallon difference translates to roughly 186–310 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006 and Four Winns 378 Vista 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2006 and the Four Winns 378 Vista 2005 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.