Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 vs Four Winns SL262 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 or the Four Winns SL262 2008?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns SL262 2008 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 or the Four Winns SL262 2008?

For trailering, the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 has the edge at 71 lbs dry weight versus 559 lbs for the Four Winns SL262 2008. 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns SL262 2008 has a documented max rating of 375 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Four Winns SL262 2008 is certified for 14. 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.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 and Four Winns SL262 2008 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 or the Four Winns SL262 2008?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 75 gallons on the Four Winns SL262 2008. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 and Four Winns SL262 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 and the Four Winns SL262 2008 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 2007 vs Four Winns SL262 2008

Four Winns

Four Winns 278 Vista 2007

2007

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Four Winns

Four Winns SL262 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 vs Four Winns SL262 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 vs Four Winns SL262 2008 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 SL262 2008 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns SL262 2008 tips the scales at 559 lbs — 488 lbs less than the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 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.

The Four Winns SL262 2008 tops out at 375 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 75 gallons in the Four Winns SL262 2008. 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 SL262 2008 is rated for 14 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 SL262 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns SL262 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 26,0 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

Model278 Vista

ModelSL262

Model Year2007

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise20℃

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 - DetailWith Engine: 5,350 - 5,590 lbs. (2,430 - 2,540 kg)

Weight - kg3220.5

Weight - kg2535.58

Weight - lbs.71

Weight - lbs.559

Length - Meters8.64

Length - Meters8.08

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet26

Length - Inches4

Length - Inches6

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 4 in. (8.64 m)

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 6 in. (8.08 m)

Length overall - Meters8.64

Length overall - Meters8.08

Length overall - Inches34

Length overall - Inches318

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. (1.53 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.52

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches6

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.91

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches75

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard5.7 Gi/DP 280 hp Volvo Penta

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7 Gi/DP 300 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (321 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max375 hp

Trailer Info

Trailer - Weight1,741 lbs. (790 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Detailnot available

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

Operational Info

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityPotable: 15 gal. (57 l)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,400 lbs. (1,089 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people14

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 SL262 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 or the Four Winns SL262 2008?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns SL262 2008 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 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 SL262 2008?

For trailering, the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 has the edge at 71 lbs dry weight versus 559 lbs for the Four Winns SL262 2008. 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 SL262 2008 has a documented max rating of 375 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 SL262 2008 is certified for 14. 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 SL262 2008 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 SL262 2008?

The Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 75 gallons on the Four Winns SL262 2008. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 and Four Winns SL262 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 278 Vista 2007 and the Four Winns SL262 2008 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 2007 full specs ← Four Winns SL262 2008 full specs