Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns V305 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns V305 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns V305 2012 has the edge at 108 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Four Winns V305 2012 is certified for 1. 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 V305 2012 measures 122" wide, compared to 112" for the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004. 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns V305 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 13 gallons and 12 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns V305 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and the Four Winns V305 2012 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 V305 2012

Four Winns

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004

2004

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Four Winns

Four Winns V305 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns V305 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns V305 2012 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 V305 2012 caps at 1. 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 V305 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

Model280 Horizon

ModelV305

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 4 in

Beam10 ft. 2 in. (3.1 m)

Beam - Meters2.84

Beam - Meters3.1

Beam - Inches112

Beam - Inches122

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise18℃

Draft [max] - Detail37 in

Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (102 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters1.02

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches4

Weight - Detail6,240-7,140 lbs

Weight - Detail10,300 - 10,800 lbs. (4,670 - 4,900 kg) with engine

Weight - kg3238.65

Weight - kg4898.79

Weight - lbs.714

Weight - lbs.108

Height [transom]5 ft. 0 in

Height [transom]not available

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

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 5 in. (9.27 m)

Length overall - Meters9.4

Length overall - Meters9.27

Length overall - Inches37

Length overall - Inches365

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 9 in. (2.97 m) with arch (excludes electronics)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.97

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches117

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail30 in. (76 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.76

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches3

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail11 ft. 10 in. (3.61 m) with arch (excludes electronics)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters3.61

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches142

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet30.42

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal12

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMerCruiser or Volvo

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O - Twin

Operational Info

Water capacity20 gal

Water capacityPotable: 36 gal. (136 l)

Maximum capacityYacht

Maximum capacitynot available

Headroomnot available

Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people1

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal28

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 vs Four Winns V305 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 or the Four Winns V305 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns V305 2012 has the edge at 108 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Four Winns V305 2012 is certified for 1. 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 V305 2012 measures 122" wide, compared to 112" for the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004. 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns V305 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 13 gallons and 12 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and Four Winns V305 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2004 and the Four Winns V305 2012 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 V305 2012 full specs