Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 vs Four Winns SL262 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 or the Four Winns SL262 2012?

The Four Winns SL262 2012 is the longer of the two at 26,5 feet overall. The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 23,5 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 SL262 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns SL262 2012 has the edge at 559 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.

Q: How many passengers can the Four Winns SL262 2012 carry?

The Four Winns SL262 2012 has an official capacity rating of 14 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 measures 112" wide, compared to 102" for the Four Winns SL262 2012. 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 2005 or the Four Winns SL262 2012?

The Four Winns SL262 2012 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005. That 62-gallon difference translates to roughly 186–310 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 and Four Winns SL262 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 and the Four Winns SL262 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 2005 vs Four Winns SL262 2012

Four Winns

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005

2005

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Four Winns

Four Winns SL262 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 vs Four Winns SL262 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 vs Four Winns SL262 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Four Winns SL262 2012 measures 26,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 23,5 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 — 155 lbs more than the Four Winns SL262 2012 at 559 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 SL262 2012 at 26,5 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

ModelSL262

Model Year2005

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 4 in. (2.85 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.84

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches112

Beam - Inches102

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

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. (1.53 m) 7 ft. 4 in. (2.24 m) with arch

Bridge clearance - Meters1.52

Bridge clearance - Meters2.24

Bridge clearance - Inches6

Bridge clearance - Inches88

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise20℃

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

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. (2,830 - 3,239 kg)

Weight - Detail5,380 - 5,590 lbs. (2,440 - 2,540 kg) with engine

Weight - kg3238.65

Weight - kg2535.58

Weight - lbs.714

Weight - lbs.559

Length - Feet3

Length - Feet26.5

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 - Detail6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.91

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches75

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 6 in. (8.08 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters8.08

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches318

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Drive typeI/O

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMerCruiser or Volvo

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed with Porta-Potti

Headnot available

Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)

Water capacityPotable: 15 gal. (57 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail9 gal. (34 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail2.6 gal. (9.8 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters34.07

Holding tank capacity - Liters11.36

Holding tank capacity - Gal9

Holding tank capacity - Gal2.6

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,400 lbs. (1,089 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people14

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailSee Standard Features

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

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Height7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m) 8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m) wakeboard tower down 10 ft. 3 in. (3.12 m) wakeboard tower up

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight1,968 lbs. (893 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 vs Four Winns SL262 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 or the Four Winns SL262 2012?

The Four Winns SL262 2012 is the longer of the two at 26,5 feet overall. The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 23,5 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 SL262 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns SL262 2012 has the edge at 559 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 SL262 2012 carry?

The Four Winns SL262 2012 has an official capacity rating of 14 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 102" for the Four Winns SL262 2012. 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 SL262 2012?

The Four Winns SL262 2012 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005. That 62-gallon difference translates to roughly 186–310 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 and Four Winns SL262 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 and the Four Winns SL262 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 2005 full specs ← Four Winns SL262 2012 full specs