Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 boat specs
Four Winns
Four Winns 278 Vista 2007
2007
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VS
Four Winns F244 2011 boat specs
Four Winns
Four Winns F244 2011
2011
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Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 vs Four Winns F244 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 vs Four Winns F244 2011 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 2007 at 28,0 ft versus Four Winns F244 2011 at 25,5 ft. At 71 lbs and 47 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The Four Winns F244 2011 tops out at 320 hp. Engine specs for the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 carries 85 gallons versus 65 gallons in the Four Winns F244 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Four Winns F244 2011 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns F244 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns F244 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 25,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeFour Winns
MakeFour Winns
Model278 Vista
ModelF244
Model Year2007
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise17℃
Deadrise17℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [drive up] inches17
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 - DetailWith Engine: 6,880-7,100 lbs. (3,120-3,220 kg)
Weight - Detail4,680 - 4,700 lbs. (2,120 - 2,130 kg) with engine
Weight - kg3220.5
Weight - kg2131.88
Weight - lbs.71
Weight - lbs.47
Length - Meters8.64
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet25.5
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 4 in. (8.64 m)
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 6 in. (7.77 m)
Length overall - Meters8.64
Length overall - Meters7.77
Length overall - Inches34
Length overall - Inches306
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 2 in. (1.57 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.57
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches62
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters1.93
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches76
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard5.7 Gi/DP 280 hp Volvo Penta
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (321 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail65 gal. (246 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76
Fuel tank capacity - Liters246.05
Fuel tank capacity - Gal85
Fuel tank capacity - Gal65
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine makenot available
Engine makeVolvo
Engine modelnot available
Engine modelPenta 5.7 GiC/DP
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower300 hp
Engine maxnot available
Engine max320 hp
Trailer Info
Trailer - Weight1,741 lbs. (790 kg)
Trailer - Weight2,030 lbs. (921 kg)
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailSure-Load? custom-matched, tandem axle with tandem disc brakes
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Height8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m) wakeboard tower down 11 ft. (3.35 m) wakeboard tower up
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all28 ft. 7 in. (8.71 m)
Operational Info
Water capacitynot available
Water capacityPotable: 12 gal. (45 l)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity2,050 lbs. (930 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people13
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail2.6 gal. (9.8 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters11.36
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal2.6

Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 vs Four Winns F244 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 or the Four Winns F244 2011?
The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns F244 2011 comes in at 25,5 feet, making it roughly 2,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 or the Four Winns F244 2011?
For trailering, the Four Winns F244 2011 has the edge at 47 lbs dry weight versus 71 lbs for the Four Winns 278 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.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Four Winns F244 2011 has a documented max rating of 320 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Four Winns F244 2011 is certified for 13. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 and Four Winns F244 2011 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 or the Four Winns F244 2011?
The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 65 gallons on the Four Winns F244 2011. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 and Four Winns F244 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 and the Four Winns F244 2011 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.