Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 vs Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 or the Four Winns 298 Vista 2005?

The Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 is the longer of the two at 31,0 feet overall. The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 28,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 or the Four Winns 298 Vista 2005?

For trailering, the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 has the edge at 714 lbs dry weight versus 1 065 lbs for the Four Winns 298 Vista 2005. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 measures 126" wide, compared to 112" for the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005. 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 2005 and Four Winns 298 Vista 2005?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 13 gallons and 14 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 2005 and Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 and the Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 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 2005 vs Four Winns 298 Vista 2005

Four Winns

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005

2005

View full specs →

Four Winns

Four Winns 298 Vista 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 vs Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 vs Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 measures 31,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 28,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 at 3,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 tips the scales at 1 065 lbs — 351 lbs less than the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 at 714 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.

Bottom line: The Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 at 31,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 at 3,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

Model280 Horizon

Model298 Vista

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 4 in. (2.85 m)

Beam10 ft. 6 in. (3.2 m)

Beam - Meters2.84

Beam - Meters3.2

Beam - Inches112

Beam - Inches126

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 2 in. with arch

Bridge clearance - Meters1.52

Bridge clearance - Meters2.79

Bridge clearance - Inches6

Bridge clearance - Inches11

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise19℃

Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (94 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (99 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail6,240 - 7,140 lbs. (2,830 - 3,239 kg)

Weight - Detail10,370 - 10,650 lbs. (4,704 - 4,831 kg)

Weight - kg3238.65

Weight - kg4830.75

Weight - lbs.714

Weight - lbs.1065

Length - Feet3

Length - Feet31

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 10 in. (9.4 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]31 ft. 0 in. (9.45 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters9.45

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail140 gal. (530 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Liters529.96

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal14

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed with Porta-Potti

HeadPorcelain, VacuFlush? with holding tank

Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)

Water capacity30 gal. (113 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail9 gal. (34 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail25 gal. (94 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters34.07

Holding tank capacity - Liters94.64

Holding tank capacity - Gal9

Holding tank capacity - Gal25

Water heater capacitynot available

Water heater capacity6 gal

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailSee Standard Features

Trailer - Detailnot available

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 vs Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 or the Four Winns 298 Vista 2005?

The Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 is the longer of the two at 31,0 feet overall. The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 28,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 or the Four Winns 298 Vista 2005?

For trailering, the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 has the edge at 714 lbs dry weight versus 1 065 lbs for the Four Winns 298 Vista 2005. 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 measures 126" wide, compared to 112" for the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005. 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 2005 and Four Winns 298 Vista 2005?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 13 gallons and 14 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 2005 and Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 and the Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 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 2005 full specs ← Four Winns 298 Vista 2005 full specs