Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns SL242 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns SL242 2008?

For trailering, the Four Winns SL242 2008 has the edge at 508 lbs dry weight versus 714 lbs for the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004. 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 SL242 2008 has a documented max rating of 375 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 SL242 2008 is certified for 12. 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 SL242 2008. 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 SL242 2008?

The Four Winns SL242 2008 has the bigger tank at 58 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004. That 45-gallon difference translates to roughly 135–225 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 SL242 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and the Four Winns SL242 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 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns SL242 2008

Four Winns

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004

2004

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Four Winns

Four Winns SL242 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns SL242 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns SL242 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.

The Four Winns SL242 2008 tops out at 375 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 SL242 2008 carries 58 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 SL242 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns SL242 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns SL242 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

Model280 Horizon

ModelSL242

Model Year2004

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 4 in

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.84

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches112

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise20℃

Draft [max] - Detail37 in

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail6,240-7,140 lbs

Weight - DetailWith Engine: 4,870 - 5,080 lbs. (2,210 - 2,300 kg)

Weight - kg3238.65

Weight - kg2304.25

Weight - lbs.714

Weight - lbs.508

Height [transom]5 ft. 0 in

Height [transom]not available

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

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 5 in. (7.44 m)

Length overall - Meters9.4

Length overall - Meters7.44

Length overall - Inches37

Length overall - Inches293

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.93

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches76

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.44

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail58 gal. (220 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Liters219.55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal58

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7 Gi/DP 300 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max375 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity20 gal

Water capacityPotable: 15 gal. (57 l)

Maximum capacityYacht

Maximum capacity2,100 lbs. (953 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people12

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

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

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns SL242 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns SL242 2008?

For trailering, the Four Winns SL242 2008 has the edge at 508 lbs dry weight versus 714 lbs for the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004. 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 SL242 2008 has a documented max rating of 375 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 SL242 2008 is certified for 12. 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 SL242 2008. 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 SL242 2008?

The Four Winns SL242 2008 has the bigger tank at 58 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004. That 45-gallon difference translates to roughly 135–225 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns SL242 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and the Four Winns SL242 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 280 Horizon 2004 full specs ← Four Winns SL242 2008 full specs