Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 vs Four Winns H180 LE 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 or the Four Winns H180 LE 2012?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns H180 LE 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: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 or the Four Winns H180 LE 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 has the edge at 71 lbs dry weight versus 222 lbs for the Four Winns H180 LE 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 H180 LE 2012 carry?

The Four Winns H180 LE 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 2006 or the Four Winns H180 LE 2012?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Four Winns H180 LE 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 2006 and Four Winns H180 LE 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 and the Four Winns H180 LE 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 2006 vs Four Winns H180 LE 2012

Four Winns

Four Winns 278 Vista 2006

2006

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Four Winns

Four Winns H180 LE 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 vs Four Winns H180 LE 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 vs Four Winns H180 LE 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 2006 measures 28,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 10,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns H180 LE 2012 at 17,3 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns H180 LE 2012 tips the scales at 222 lbs — 151 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 H180 LE 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 LE

Model Year2006

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Bridge clearance - DetailWith arch: 9 ft. 7 in

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

Bridge clearance - Meters2.92

Bridge clearance - Meters1.12

Bridge clearance - Inches115

Bridge clearance - Inches44

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise21℃

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

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inches34

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

Weight - Detail2,220 lbs. (1,010 kg) with engine

Weight - kg3220.5

Weight - kg1006.97

Weight - lbs.71

Weight - lbs.222

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]19 ft. 2 in. (5.84 m)

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] - Detail17 in. (41 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches17

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

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7Gi/Duoprop 280 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

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

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMerCruiser

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

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 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 drum brakes

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Height6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m) wakeboard tower down 9 ft. 9 in. (2.98 m) wakeboard tower up

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight894 lbs. (406 kg)

Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 vs Four Winns H180 LE 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 or the Four Winns H180 LE 2012?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns H180 LE 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.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 or the Four Winns H180 LE 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 has the edge at 71 lbs dry weight versus 222 lbs for the Four Winns H180 LE 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 H180 LE 2012 carry?

The Four Winns H180 LE 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 2006 or the Four Winns H180 LE 2012?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Four Winns H180 LE 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 2006 and Four Winns H180 LE 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2006 and the Four Winns H180 LE 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 2006 full specs ← Four Winns H180 LE 2012 full specs