Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 vs Four Winns SL242 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 or the Four Winns SL242 2008?

The Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Four Winns SL242 2008 comes in at 24,0 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 255 Sundowner 2007 or the Four Winns SL242 2008?

For trailering, the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 has the edge at 491 lbs dry weight versus 508 lbs for the Four Winns SL242 2008. 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns SL242 2008 has a documented max rating of 375 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Four Winns SL242 2008 is certified for 12. 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 255 Sundowner 2007 and Four Winns SL242 2008 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 or the Four Winns SL242 2008?

The Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 has the bigger tank at 65 gallons, versus 58 gallons on the Four Winns SL242 2008. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 and Four Winns SL242 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 and the Four Winns SL242 2008 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 255 Sundowner 2007 vs Four Winns SL242 2008

Four Winns

Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007

2007

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Four Winns

Four Winns SL242 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 vs Four Winns SL242 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 vs Four Winns SL242 2008 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 255 Sundowner 2007 at 26,0 ft versus Four Winns SL242 2008 at 24,0 ft. At 491 lbs and 508 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The Four Winns SL242 2008 tops out at 375 hp. Engine specs for the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 carries 65 gallons versus 58 gallons in the Four Winns SL242 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Four Winns SL242 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 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 SL242 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns SL242 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 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

Model255 Sundowner

ModelSL242

Model Year2007

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail19 in. (48 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.48

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches19

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - DetailWith Engine: 4,650-4,910 lbs. (2,100-2,230 kg)

Weight - DetailWith Engine: 4,870 - 5,080 lbs. (2,210 - 2,300 kg)

Weight - kg2227.14

Weight - kg2304.25

Weight - lbs.491

Weight - lbs.508

Length - Meters8.15

Length - Meters7.44

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet24

Length - Inches9

Length - Inches5

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 9 in. (8.15 m)

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 5 in. (7.44 m)

Length overall - Meters8.15

Length overall - Meters7.44

Length overall - Inches321

Length overall - Inches293

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.93

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches76

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

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

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7 Gi/DP 300 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail65 gal. (246 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail58 gal. (220 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters246.05

Fuel tank capacity - Liters219.55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal65

Fuel tank capacity - Gal58

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max375 hp

Operational Info

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

Maximum capacity2,100 lbs. (953 kg)

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityPotable: 15 gal. (57 l)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people12

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailSure-Load? custom-matched trailer, tandem axle w/brakes

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

Trailer - Weight1,370 lbs. (622 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 vs Four Winns SL242 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 or the Four Winns SL242 2008?

The Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Four Winns SL242 2008 comes in at 24,0 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 255 Sundowner 2007 or the Four Winns SL242 2008?

For trailering, the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 has the edge at 491 lbs dry weight versus 508 lbs for the Four Winns SL242 2008. 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns SL242 2008 has a documented max rating of 375 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Four Winns SL242 2008 is certified for 12. 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 255 Sundowner 2007 and Four Winns SL242 2008 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 or the Four Winns SL242 2008?

The Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 has the bigger tank at 65 gallons, versus 58 gallons on the Four Winns SL242 2008. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 and Four Winns SL242 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 255 Sundowner 2007 and the Four Winns SL242 2008 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 255 Sundowner 2007 full specs ← Four Winns SL242 2008 full specs