Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns H180 OB 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 or the Four Winns H180 OB 2012?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns H180 OB 2012 comes in at 17,3 feet, making it roughly 10,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns H180 OB 2012 has a documented max rating of 130 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many passengers can the Four Winns H180 OB 2012 carry?

The Four Winns H180 OB 2012 has an official capacity rating of 7 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 or the Four Winns H180 OB 2012?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Four Winns H180 OB 2012. That 61-gallon difference translates to roughly 183–305 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 and Four Winns H180 OB 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 and the Four Winns H180 OB 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 278 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns H180 OB 2012

Four Winns

Four Winns 278 Vista 2005

2005

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Four Winns

Four Winns H180 OB 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns H180 OB 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns H180 OB 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.

The Four Winns H180 OB 2012 tops out at 130 hp. Engine specs for the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 carries 85 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Four Winns H180 OB 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 at 28,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Four Winns H180 OB 2012 at 17,3 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

Model278 Vista

ModelH180 OB

Model Year2005

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. without arch

Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 8 in. (1.12 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.13

Bridge clearance - Meters1.12

Bridge clearance - Inches84

Bridge clearance - Inches44

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise21℃

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

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail6,800 lbs. (3,084 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg3084.43

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.68

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Meters8.64

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet17.33

Length - Inches4

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 4 in. (8.64 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Beamnot available

Beam7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Inchesnot available

Beam - Inches9

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches16

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail4 ft. 7 in. (1.4 m)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.4

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches55

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 4 in. (5.28 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters5.28

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches208

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (322 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal. (91 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeOutboard

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury, Evinrude or Yamaha

Engine modelnot available

Engine model90 E-TEC

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower90 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine max130 hp

Operational Info

HeadPorcelain with holding tank

Headnot available

Water capacity25 gal. (95 l)

Water capacitynot available

Water heater capacity6 gal

Water heater capacitynot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (6 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people7

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

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

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Height6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m) wakeboard tower down 9 ft. 3 in. (2.82 m) wakeboard tower up

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all19 ft. 4 in. (5.89 m)

Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns H180 OB 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 or the Four Winns H180 OB 2012?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns H180 OB 2012 comes in at 17,3 feet, making it roughly 10,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns H180 OB 2012 has a documented max rating of 130 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many passengers can the Four Winns H180 OB 2012 carry?

The Four Winns H180 OB 2012 has an official capacity rating of 7 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 or the Four Winns H180 OB 2012?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Four Winns H180 OB 2012. That 61-gallon difference translates to roughly 183–305 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 and Four Winns H180 OB 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 and the Four Winns H180 OB 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 278 Vista 2005 full specs ← Four Winns H180 OB 2012 full specs