Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 boat specs
Four Winns
Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005
2005
View full specs →
VS
Four Winns H230 2013 boat specs
Four Winns
Four Winns H230 2013
2013
View full specs →

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 vs Four Winns H230 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 vs Four Winns H230 2013 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 H230 2013 measures 23,3 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 20,3 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 280 Horizon 2005 tips the scales at 714 lbs — 670 lbs more than the Four Winns H230 2013 at 44 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 H230 2013 at 23,3 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
MakeFour Winns
Model280 Horizon
ModelH23
Model Year2005
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 4 in. (2.85 m)
Beam8 ft. 5 in. (2.55 m)
Beam - Meters2.84
Beam - Meters2.57
Beam - Inches112
Beam - Inches101
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.52
Bridge clearance - Meters1.35
Bridge clearance - Inches6
Bridge clearance - Inches53
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (94 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail6,240 - 7,140 lbs. (2,830 - 3,239 kg)
Weight - Detail4,370 - 4,400 lbs. (1,980 - 2,000 kg) with engine
Weight - kg3238.65
Weight - kg1995.8
Weight - lbs.714
Weight - lbs.44
Length - Feet3
Length - Feet23.33
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 10 in. (9.4 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches17
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 m)
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters1.68
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches66
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 4 in. (7.11 m)
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters7.11
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches28
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal. (197 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Fuel tank capacity - Gal52
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMerCruiser or Volvo
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed with Porta-Potti
Headnot available
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacitynot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail9 gal. (34 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters34.07
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal9
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,800 lbs. (816 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people11
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailSee Standard Features
Trailer - DetailColor-matched, tandem axle with tandem disc brakes
Trailer - Heightnot available
Trailer - Height7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m) 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m) wakeboard tower down 10 ft. 2 in. (3.1 m) wakeboard tower up
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight1,505 lbs. (683 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 vs Four Winns H230 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 or the Four Winns H230 2013?
The Four Winns H230 2013 is the longer of the two at 23,3 feet overall. The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 20,3 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 H230 2013?
For trailering, the Four Winns H230 2013 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 714 lbs for the Four Winns 280 Horizon 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.
How many passengers can the Four Winns H230 2013 carry?
The Four Winns H230 2013 has an official capacity rating of 11 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 measures 112" wide, compared to 101" for the Four Winns H230 2013. 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 2005 or the Four Winns H230 2013?
The Four Winns H230 2013 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005. 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 2005 and Four Winns H230 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 and the Four Winns H230 2013 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.