Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns Horizon 290 2023 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 or the Four Winns Horizon 290 2023?

The Four Winns Horizon 290 2023 is the longer of the two at 30,1 feet overall. The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 2,1 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 Horizon 290 2023?

For trailering, the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 has the edge at 68 lbs dry weight versus 8 500 lbs for the Four Winns Horizon 290 2023. 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 Horizon 290 2023 carry?

The Four Winns Horizon 290 2023 has an official capacity rating of 9 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 Horizon 290 2023?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 12 gallons on the Four Winns Horizon 290 2023. That 73-gallon difference translates to roughly 219–365 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 Horizon 290 2023 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 and the Four Winns Horizon 290 2023 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 Horizon 290 2023

Four Winns

Four Winns 278 Vista 2005

2005

View full specs →

Four Winns

Four Winns Horizon 290 2023

2023

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns Horizon 290 2023 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns Horizon 290 2023 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 278 Vista 2005 at 28,0 ft versus Four Winns Horizon 290 2023 at 30,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns Horizon 290 2023 tips the scales at 8 500 lbs — 8 432 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 Horizon 290 2023 at 30,1 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 at 28,0 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

Makenot available

Model278 Vista

Modelnot available

Model Year2005

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. without arch

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.13

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches84

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise17℃

Deadrisenot available

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

Draft [max] - Detail3.90 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Meters1.19

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inches47

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 - Feet30.1

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

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail30.10 ft

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters9.17

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches361

Beamnot available

Beam9.50 ft

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Meters2.9

Beam - Inchesnot available

Beam - Inches114

Draft Minnot available

Draft Min2.50 ft

Displacementnot available

Displacement8500.00 lbs

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (322 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal12

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Operational Info

HeadPorcelain with holding tank

Head1

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

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity1

Cabinsnot available

Cabins1

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 vs Four Winns Horizon 290 2023 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 or the Four Winns Horizon 290 2023?

The Four Winns Horizon 290 2023 is the longer of the two at 30,1 feet overall. The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 2,1 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 Horizon 290 2023?

For trailering, the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 has the edge at 68 lbs dry weight versus 8 500 lbs for the Four Winns Horizon 290 2023. 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 Horizon 290 2023 carry?

The Four Winns Horizon 290 2023 has an official capacity rating of 9 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 Horizon 290 2023?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 12 gallons on the Four Winns Horizon 290 2023. That 73-gallon difference translates to roughly 219–365 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 and Four Winns Horizon 290 2023 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2005 and the Four Winns Horizon 290 2023 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 Horizon 290 2023 full specs