Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021?

For trailering, the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 has the edge at 714 lbs dry weight versus 4 170 lbs for the Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021. 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 people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021 is certified for 6. 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 HD3 Surf 2021. 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 HD3 Surf 2021?

The Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021 has the bigger tank at 44 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004. That 31-gallon difference translates to roughly 93–155 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 HD3 Surf 2021 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and the Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021 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 HD3 Surf 2021

Four Winns

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004

2004

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Four Winns

Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021

2021

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021 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.

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 HD3 Surf 2021 caps at 6. 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 HD3 Surf 2021 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 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] - Detail5.50 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters1.68

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches66

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 - Detail22.00 ft

Length overall - Meters9.4

Length overall - Meters6.71

Length overall - Inches37

Length overall - Inches264

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet22

Draft Minnot available

Draft Min3.00 ft

Displacementnot available

Displacement4170.00 lbs

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Liters166.56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal44

Engine makenot available

Engine makeVolvo Penta

Operational Info

Water capacity20 gal

Water capacitynot available

Maximum capacityYacht

Maximum capacitynot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021?

For trailering, the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 has the edge at 714 lbs dry weight versus 4 170 lbs for the Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021. 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 people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021 is certified for 6. 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 HD3 Surf 2021. 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 HD3 Surf 2021?

The Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021 has the bigger tank at 44 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004. That 31-gallon difference translates to roughly 93–155 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and the Four Winns HD3 Surf 2021 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 HD3 Surf 2021 full specs