Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 vs Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 or the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 25,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 or the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007?

For trailering, the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 has the edge at 71 lbs dry weight versus 1 019 lbs for the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007. 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 288 Vista 2007 carry?

The Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 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 2006 or the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 12 gallons on the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007. 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 2006 and Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 and the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 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 2006 vs Four Winns 288 Vista 2007

Four Winns

Four Winns 278 Vista 2006

2006

View full specs →

Four Winns

Four Winns 288 Vista 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 vs Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 vs Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 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 2006 measures 28,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 25,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 at 3,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 tips the scales at 1 019 lbs — 948 lbs less than the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 at 71 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 2006 at 28,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 at 3,0 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

Model278 Vista

Model288 Vista

Model Year2006

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Bridge clearance - DetailWith arch: 9 ft. 7 in

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.92

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches115

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise18℃

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

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inches38

Weight - Detail6,880 - 7,100 lbs. (3,140 - 3,220 kg)

Weight - DetailWith Engine: 9,510-10,190 lbs. (4,310-4,600 kg)

Weight - kg3220.5

Weight - kg4622.1

Weight - lbs.71

Weight - lbs.1019

Length - Meters8.64

Length - Meters9.15

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet3

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

Beam9 ft. 8 in. (2.95 m)

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Meters2.95

Beam - Inchesnot available

Beam - Inches116

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in. (68 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches27

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 0 in. (9.15 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters9.14

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches36

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7Gi/Duoprop 280 hp

Engine/s standardTwin 5.0 GXi/SX 270 hp Volvo Penta

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (322 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal12

Drive typeI/O

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

HeadPorcelain with holding tank

Headnot available

Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)

Water capacitynot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters79.49

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal21

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 vs Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 or the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 25,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 or the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007?

For trailering, the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 has the edge at 71 lbs dry weight versus 1 019 lbs for the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007. 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 288 Vista 2007 carry?

The Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 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 2006 or the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 12 gallons on the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007. 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 2006 and Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 and the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 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 2006 full specs ← Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 full specs