Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns H230 RS 2018 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns H230 RS 2018?

For trailering, the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 has the edge at 714 lbs dry weight versus 3 849 lbs for the Four Winns H230 RS 2018. 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 H230 RS 2018 has a documented max rating of 250 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 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 280 Horizon 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Four Winns H230 RS 2018 is certified for 7. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 measures 112" wide, compared to 102" for the Four Winns H230 RS 2018. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns H230 RS 2018?

The Four Winns H230 RS 2018 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004. That 39-gallon difference translates to roughly 117–195 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns H230 RS 2018 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and the Four Winns H230 RS 2018 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 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns H230 RS 2018

Four Winns

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004

2004

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Four Winns

Four Winns H230 RS 2018

2018

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns H230 RS 2018 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns H230 RS 2018 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.

The Four Winns H230 RS 2018 tops out at 250 hp. Engine specs for the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Four Winns H230 RS 2018 carries 52 gallons versus 13 gallons in the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004. 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 280 Horizon 2004 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Four Winns H230 RS 2018 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns H230 RS 2018 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

Makenot available

Model280 Horizon

Modelnot available

Model Year2004

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 4 in

Beam8.50 ft

Beam - Meters2.84

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches112

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise21℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [max] - Detail37 in

Draft [max] - Detail2.90 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters0.88

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail6,240-7,140 lbs

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg3238.65

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.714

Weight - lbs.not available

Height [transom]5 ft. 0 in

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 10 in. (with Swim Platform)

Length overall - Detail23.70 ft

Length overall - Meters9.4

Length overall - Meters7.22

Length overall - Inches37

Length overall - Inches284

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet23.7

Draft Minnot available

Draft Min1.40 ft

Displacementnot available

Displacement3849.00 lbs

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMerCruiser

Engine modelnot available

Engine model4.5 MPI

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower250 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Water capacity20 gal

Water capacity12

Maximum capacityYacht

Maximum capacitynot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns H230 RS 2018 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns H230 RS 2018?

For trailering, the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 has the edge at 714 lbs dry weight versus 3 849 lbs for the Four Winns H230 RS 2018. 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 H230 RS 2018 has a documented max rating of 250 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 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 280 Horizon 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Four Winns H230 RS 2018 is certified for 7. 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 measures 112" wide, compared to 102" for the Four Winns H230 RS 2018. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns H230 RS 2018?

The Four Winns H230 RS 2018 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004. That 39-gallon difference translates to roughly 117–195 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns H230 RS 2018 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and the Four Winns H230 RS 2018 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 280 Horizon 2004 full specs ← Four Winns H230 RS 2018 full specs