Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns H230 SS 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 or the Four Winns H230 SS 2012?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns H230 SS 2012 comes in at 23,3 feet, making it roughly 4,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 or the Four Winns H230 SS 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 has the edge at 68 lbs dry weight versus 438 lbs for the Four Winns H230 SS 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 passengers can the Four Winns H230 SS 2012 carry?

The Four Winns H230 SS 2012 has an official capacity rating of 11 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 H230 SS 2012?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Four Winns H230 SS 2012. That 80-gallon difference translates to roughly 240–400 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 H230 SS 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 and the Four Winns H230 SS 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 H230 SS 2012

Four Winns

Four Winns 278 Vista 2005

2005

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Four Winns

Four Winns H230 SS 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns H230 SS 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns H230 SS 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 measures 28,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 4,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns H230 SS 2012 at 23,3 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns H230 SS 2012 tips the scales at 438 lbs — 370 lbs less than the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 at 68 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 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 H230 SS 2012 at 23,3 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

ModelH230 SS

Model Year2005

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. without arch

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. (1.22 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.13

Bridge clearance - Meters1.22

Bridge clearance - Inches84

Bridge clearance - Inches48

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise20℃

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 - Detail4,380 lbs. (1,990 kg) with engine

Weight - kg3084.43

Weight - kg1986.73

Weight - lbs.68

Weight - lbs.438

Length - Meters8.64

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet23.33

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

Beam8 ft. 5 in. (2.55 m)

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Meters2.57

Beam - Inchesnot available

Beam - Inches101

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 - Detail5 ft. 1 in. (1.55 m)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.55

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches61

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 4 in. (7.11 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters7.11

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches28

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (322 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Drive typeI/O

Engine makenot available

Engine makeVolvo

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

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 people11

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

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

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Height6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m) 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m) wakeboard tower down 10 ft. 2 in. (3.1 m) wakeboard tower up

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight1,505 lbs. (683 kg)

Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns H230 SS 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 or the Four Winns H230 SS 2012?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns H230 SS 2012 comes in at 23,3 feet, making it roughly 4,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 or the Four Winns H230 SS 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 has the edge at 68 lbs dry weight versus 438 lbs for the Four Winns H230 SS 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 passengers can the Four Winns H230 SS 2012 carry?

The Four Winns H230 SS 2012 has an official capacity rating of 11 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 H230 SS 2012?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Four Winns H230 SS 2012. That 80-gallon difference translates to roughly 240–400 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 and Four Winns H230 SS 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 and the Four Winns H230 SS 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 H230 SS 2012 full specs